words

Tackling the language barrier is a difficult task. Sometimes (most of the time), I've found it best to just nod and smile like an idiot, making it plainly clear that I'm ignorant and oblivious, but at least I'm ignorant and friendly. Other times I'll venture a few words; typically either "annyeong haseyo" or "kamsa hamnida," phrases that respectively mean "hello" and "thank you." Anything more than that and I'm out of my element.

Earlier I was out front of the hostel smoking a cigarette after dinner. A van pulls up to the hostel and a few Koreans pile out. They had their hands full of luggage and whanot, so I, playing the role of the friendly foreigner, open the door for them. They are gracious, and say "kamsa hamnida," and I try to quickly scramble up a phrase in order to them know they are welcome. I say the first thing that pops into my head: de nada.

No matter. Somebody somewhere knows what I meant.

Feliz Navidad from Jeju. Tomorrow it's back to Daejeon. I'll post pictures.