When we sat down and ordered, I noticed a group of five men across from me. They were a little loud, because they had been drinking Soju (Korean potato vodka that gets you absolutely inebriated in no time at all). I felt too ashamed to say "Sa-jin chiga do twae-yo?" (can I take a photo?) so I estimated their distance from me, and put the camera on self timer... All was going so well.. Snap! Snap! Snap! and then SNAPPED! one of the guys saw the red light flashing!!
Soon that uncomfortable moment drifted away. Later, while we were eating an older agishi said "you can take a photo of us if you want?" After smiling, we ended up talking to him via Hey-Young, and told him that Troy was from Australia and that I was from New Zealand. Soon the whole restaurant was talking, it really was fantastic. Need I say that the five, had left by now!
Troy took a photo of everyone in the restaurant. It really was a strange little meal. The very worst, followed by the very best of Korea, in the space of an hour and a half. I'm glad the photos suffice. They make the restaurant look warm and convivial, which it was. But what I find ironic, is that in taking them, I managed to changed the restaurant momentarily, from having an air of conviviality to an air of intimidation and antagonism! Hmmmmm!?
