The way they do It

There are just so many things that are different about Korea from what I'm accustomed to that I don't even know where to begin. I guess all the things that I first noticed (the neon signs everywhere, the strange smells, not being able to understand what is being said around me, the showers and so on) aren't really on my radar anymore. I guess its just become normal.

I did recently, however, notice a few differences that I like. I went to the doctor last week to get my ear checked out. I had been told not to leave it since "ear infections are very common here". (I don't know if that's true, but I did think that I should just get it delt with so I wouldn't have to miss any school) I arrived at the doctors office. It was like the lobby of a nice hotel or something! There were really nice couches and plants with fountians and relaxing music. There was a mother and her daughter waiting when I arrived. They were called in about 30 seconds after I walked in. I was called in about 2 minutes after that. I went into a room and the doctor was sitting down with his nurse assistant by his side waiting for me. I had to sit in this big chair with lights all around it. He stuck something in my ear and all he said was that there was no infection. Then he turned the chair around to see the other ear. That was when I had a giant tv in my face with a video of the inside of my ear on it. It was unreal. He was sticking a little camera and light in my ear. I have no idea how it all fit in there! It was pretty gross. There were all these metal tools spread out on the table as if it were a futuristic movie of some sort and they were about to perform a freaky surgery on me to make me forget what I've witnessed. My ear is just fine.

I got a gym membership this week. Its pretty much the same as any gym I've been to except for a few things. First off- the music they play is hillarious. Its like early 90's dance, techno and other stuff that I'm not too sure what to call it. They blast it even though its like 9am. I guess it gets them in the workout mood. Also, there are some dance type arobic classes that happen when we're there. Apparently these classes are very popular. They just kind of dance around and do whatever the instructor does. The music is more unreal stuff that I forgot existed. The outfits they wear are out of this world. I think if i could get a video of anything here, it should be this. They do their hair and makeup to come to workout. They wear jewelery, headbands, legwarmers, and some of the most hideous/strange clothing I've ever seen. I can't even describe it. Everything either really, really matches or doesn't AT ALL. Short shorts, tube tops, halter tops, things with strings and so on. They are so into it. The looks on their faces is happy, yet serious. Back in the gym area...all of the treadmills have tvs on them so you don't have to miss your favourite Korean soap. I've seen a few people running backwards on the treadmills. Jenn told me that the hardcore Koreans run backwards up mountians because its the "best workout" or something like that....