The beauty of Korean English. I bought a can of Ceylon ice tea — “The Dream of Tea” is the logo. The caption on the can reads:

“Ceylon tea. Now dream of Tea is distilled each pure water drop a tear of joy. A vision of paradise for men lost in their dreams. Sailing the Indian Ocean towards new horizons. Ceylon tea.”

As far as I know, the Indian Ocean doesn’t even exist. It’s just a joke played by the globe. A misprint.

I discovered something today about Seoul Tower. As I’ve already told you, Seoul is a huge city broken up by mountains, so you sometimes lost sight of the size. Every city has its tower, and I’d always seen Seoul Tower on the other side of a mountain. From whereever I am in the city, I can see Seoul Tower just popping its head over the other side of the mountain. A trick of perspective I’ve discovered. The tower is actually not more than 30 or 40 metres high. It’s actually built on top of the mountain, which is why I never saw the base of it until today, when I took a creative jogging route that led me to the top.

From the top of the mountain, Seoul looked indescribably brilliant. Constellations of apartment buildings as indistinguishable as stars in the sky. Housing blocks with multi-colored roofs that seemed like tile floors. The outer edges of the city dissipating into invisibility caused by smog.

I located the Seoul division of the Fight Club along this jogging route. Somewhere along the mountainous paths, there’s this brilliant little park with chin-up bars, abdominal equipment, and a bench press set-up. I’m training now, cause I know if I don’t get in shape now, then I’ll never get in shape. Since I’m not Korean, I’m not required to spend the two years in the army — however, that doesn’t mean I don’t intend to meet the same physical requirements that is expected of a Korean soldier. I don’t expect special treatment simply because I’m not Korean.