Hello All!
Just wanted to let everyone know that although everywhere else February 14th is a day filled with "I love you" 's, the exchange of gifts and a romantic night out, here it is the official Korean chocolate day. Essentially, Valentine's day here is a holiday where females give chocolate to their enamoured male counterparts. It's been really funny these past two weeks because pink is a very big colour for men in these parts and so most of the chocolate filled baskets that have been done up are huge lacy pink affairs. It's great! Now, I would of course be rather morose during this post if this wonderful country had not made up its own holiday to counter the celebratory inbalance. White day, March 14, is a holiday designed for males giving females candy. I can't wait.
Now to the most important part of this post. Ryan has been playing drums with a couple of guys when they all happen to be out at the pub at the same time for a while now. Shockingly, the bar owner (named Ji-aon, good guy) has scheduled them to play in a club in Seoul! Needless to say they are fantastic. It's great to sit back and listen to them play. I'm a little concerned about the throngs of Korean women "putting off their wears" as Ji-aon so eloquently put it. He has asserted that this is a norm for popular Korean bands. Although my initial reaction was to imagine purchasing a rather large beating stick, (nothing like 'lay'n the beats' I hear) I think I'm just going to go and encourage fully clothed appreciation for Ryan's band. They're playing on the 25th so wish them luck! They're awesome!