나 는 , 외국인 ( Migrated ) : One Night in Incheon 
 I had to re - post this as it somehow ended up being a copy of Monday ’ s post . I could not find the original , so I had to rewrite the whole thing and it ended up being very different . 
 A Korean friend , Jacky , invited me to his birthday party on twenty - ninth of February . He turned “ six ” this year . Lucky for everyone involved , he saw the sense in changing it to the first of March , a Saturday . 
 The day started like any other . We used Koreas great public transport for our two hour journey . Try doing that in South Africa , or many other developed countries . I am sad to report that nothing special happened . There were no great accidents , no slip - sliding on snow and no nice scenery ( that I noticed ) . 
 Incheon seems to be a nice city . I would not mind living there for a year or so . If you have not noticed yet , then let me point it out to you , there is an “ N ” in the name . We are not talking about Icheon , the small city where I live . This here is Incheon , the city that is big enough to justify its own metropolitan council , separate form Gyeonggi Provence . 
 We started our night of celebration in Khan , the “ Ancient Pub ” . There is one here in Icheon as well . Aska and I are thinking of going there some time . As is normal for any Korean party , soju and Beer was consumed , the former in greater quantities than the latter . Still , there were the obligatory mountains of food and a western style birthday cake . The cake had a number “ 6 ” candle , provided by yours truly , as well as thin , free candles that paled in comparison to my immense gift to the Birthday Boy . I am so proud of myself . * cough * 
 After half the cake ended on Jackie ’ s face , he proceeded to destroy it further with his cake cutting technique . The Cake Destruction Ceremony signalled the commencement of the true party . In true Korean fashion , everyone had a chance to pour soju for everyone else , and just in case you were not getting enough , then you were sure to get your fill from the drinking games . I know Koreans like to call themselves the Italians of East Asia , because they are emotional , but they are more like the Irish of East Asia , I am sure . 
 During the course of the night we went to four different places , and at all but one we had food . Let me rephrase that , at each place we had lots of food . How do Koreans eat and drink so much and still stay so skinny . Even the girls were doing their part to rid the world of its excess food and soju . 
 I mentioned that at one place we did not eat anything . This was the Norae Bang , or Karaoke Room . I am sure they have food there , but we just did not order any . Even thought I still do not sing with other people , I prefer this to the Karaoke we know . Here you are in a private room with your friends and no one else to bother you . Despite this nice setting , I still wonder what Eastern Asia ’ s fascination with singing is . 
 Before I sign off on this post , I would like to mention one of the things that always stumps me . Despite what many people think of me , I do not really know how to handle these situations . I do what I feel like at that point and half the time it is not what is expected of me … 
 During the night I had four girls , count it , one , two , three , four girls , flirt with me . I am not used to this , at all . People have told me that it happens to me , but I think am too stupid to see it . These girls were obvious about it though . 
 At the first place we went to , two girls asked me to take photographs with them , and as I left , the one used the only English she seemed to know , “ I miss you ” . Crazy Woman Alert ! The two girls were there with men , but I could not figure out the relationship . I indulged them then make like a tree and , um , left ? At the second place , a girl wanted me to drink Soju with her . The only way I could “ get rid ” of her was by doing a love shot . A love - shot is when you drink while twisting you arms , as they often do at marriages in the West . 
 Then there was the sister of the Birthday Boy . Apparently , she asked about me earlier that evening and all through the night Aska was pointing out that the girl was infatuated with me . Personally , I feel curious would be a better word , but some times I was wondering myself . 
 Why does this never happen to me in my town . At least here , I have a place where we can go “ practice English ” . ( I have never had a girl alone in my flat , not even a friend , with the exception of my girlfriend , and I intend to keep it that way . ) 
 I cannot finish this post without mentioning Pinky . This dude was dressed in not just a pink shirt , but a pink cap as well . Pinky took every foreigner ’ s phone number and asked if he may call us to practice his English . I admire his courage and I will gladly help him wherever I can . This is the way you learn English , people . 
 Overall , it was an enjoyable experience and I learned a bit more about Koreans out for the night . 
 Posted by Otto Silver on Wednesday , March 05 , 2008