It's just not quite right......

When we arrived in SK, we were told that it is the land of "Not Quite Right."  At the time, we really couldn't appreciate exactly what that entailed but we're rapidly gaining an understanding of what that friend was trying to convey.

Popeye's chicken....not quite right

Quiznos subs....not quite right

Local bottled water....not quite right

Meat in the commissary....not quite right

Italian food....not quite right

Television selections....not quite right

Hamburgers....not quite right

The theme song to "Scrubs" has even been changed here...SO not right

        German chocolate cake....not quite right

           Fox & Friends being interrupted by AFN infomercials...not quite right

And we could go on.   Things here are almost right, but not quite, and depending on how you look at it that is pretty bad.  In the movie "Apocalypto", the main character Jaguar Paw, watches helplessly as a warrior from the opposing tribe kills his father and addresses Jaguar Paw as "Almost."  In this context, almost meant that the character was so utterly pathetic, that he wasn't worthy of something or someone...he was just, simply....almost...the most pathetic state of being imaginable.

So, rather than  focusing on that which is almost right, we're concentrating on the things that are right.  The food is awesome (kimbob, beef on a leaf, bulgogi, bipbop, chopchae, etc).  The people are friendly.  The smog isn't nearly as bad as advertised.  There is more green than we expected.  There is plenty of clothing for smaller people (i.e. K), the small cars are cute (K's words, not mine) and trendy by current U.S. standards, etc.  

On that note, we made headway on our transportation needs.  The Kia is now insured.  It added a whopping $1.68 to our monthly insurance premium.  That should give you some idea as to how ridiculous the car really is.  (I think I need a bobble-head for the dashboard)  We also got our S.K. drivers licenses today.  The process consisted of a 45 question exam which was actually fairly difficult.  K and I passed on the first try which is supposedly very unusual.  We then came back a few hours later for to watch a video.  Wow.  These were the worst driving safety videos imaginable.  Words cannot describe.  The next time that you have to go to the DMV to renew your license, be grateful that you don't have to suffer through this.  Regardless, it's done and we're on our way to getting established here....almost.

-T