Ask Me Anything!

I have been overwhelmed with the most intriguing questions from current blog readers about my experiences on the road (And a very special thanks to both of you!)

I thought I’d take the time to provide some thoughtful and considered replies, but then remembered it’s me who’s writing this, so it’s going to be spontaneous, off-the-cuff, and probably fairly ill-considered all the way. Shoot from the hip, and pull no punches! And other euphemisms for being refreshingly direct, and damn the torpedoes!

Let’s begin with the first question.

Q: I have studied your packing list closely, and you did not mention any hats. That folding helmet got an awful lot of air time, but why no hats?
I do not believe one can travel without a hat.

A: You are one observant cat, about the hats. I did not pack a hat, mainly because I could not think of an individual hat which would meet all of my varying travel hat needs. Is there a hat which works for all weathers? A baseball hat is good in the sun, but leaves one’s ears cold. A rain hat keeps the old noggin dry, but is usually sort of heavy. I was really stumped. So I decided to see if I would need a hat in each locale. Spoiler: I needed a hat in each locale. I have had to acquire hats.

Here are the hat solutions I have found so far.

Hawaii is bright, man. We are talking blazing sun, which is simultaneously wonderful, and very squinty-making. I needed a massive shield from solar rays, but with no unfoldable, and thus unpackable, brim. The solution: The Fan Hat! It’s a Fan. It’s a Hat. It packs small, and it cost $8 at the Kona Farmer’s Market.

Then I flew to Seoul, where it is bitter cold. I have a warm hoodie, but the ears were conveying a distinct need to be more covered. I recalled that there is a sort of mall in the Gangnam subway station, so I headed there to see if I could have both warmer ears and some Gangnam Style. Cue: The Knit Cap! Stylish, warm, a tolerable color, and packs small. It cost 9000 Korean won, or $6.74. Ears covered.

I also now believe that one can not travel without a hat.

Q: How do you keep track of time? You keep going to new places and time zones. This would confuse me a great deal. And it would be disorienting. I might find myself eating dinner for breakfast, for instance.

A: The truth is, sometimes I have no sense of time anymore. And I have in fact been eating breakfast for dinner a lot lately. Part of it is that I keep landing in different time zones, and have to either catch up or slow down. And then there is the sabbatical factor: I don’t have to be anywhere, most of the time. This is the opposite of a non-sabbatical, or regular life, wherein one usually has to be somewhere most of the time. I am just trying to embrace the weirdness of all of this. And also: breakfast makes a pretty decent dinner.

Q: You are traveling at a time of war, tragedy, disasters, and widespread suffering, and there you are, out gallivanting about. I mean, it’s nice that you are having this break from the hardships of teaching literature and writing classes, but are you not consumed at times with overwhelming guilt?

A: I am.

Q: Is that all you have to say?

A: Well, no. I have been thinking about this a lot.

Q: In between consuming all that tropical banana bread, and biking to ukulele lessons?

A: Point taken. I am residing in a chapter of very good fortune, and it does make me sharply aware of those who are not. This is a really paradoxical space to be in. I admit that I need a break; do I deserve a break? I am being positive, and forward-focused, and working on a writing project, but none of that fixes anything for anyone, nor does it do a smidge to repair the world.

Not that I can alter any world conditions by turning down a sabbatical. Maybe there is some value in providing a place of temporary distraction, on a sideline, like here in this blog.

Q: I am not sure that is a sufficient answer.

A: It’s all I got at the moment. I am a tiny bit of distraction and even respite from the chaos. That might matter in a small way. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OUT THERE?

Q: Over here! I have a question. I’d like to hear more about what it is like being in Korea when you do not know the language. But don’t go all English-Professor-y on me.

A: Such an interesting topic! As you know, author and translator Jhumpa Lahiri has commented on the concept of a sense of place, stating that “Place is a language. Language is a place. And a specific location is itself a language, in other words, a system of meaning.” The writer, Lahiri continues, is involved in communication of place as much as in communication of, and by way of, language…

Q: Okay, we’re already at like Defcon 10 English Professor, right there.

A: Oh. Maybe I can do this better with pictures. Being in Seoul isn’t just about being IN Seoul. It’s about being IN the Korean language. So figuring out places often comes down to figuring out words, too.

A lot of signs giving places and directions are in Korean and English. This is helpful. Perhaps you are looking for Sangdo-ro 41 da-gil.

Then this is an absolutely wonderful sign! And it will give you a wonderful feeling to have found it. Because now you know exactly where you are.

Perhaps you were wondering if it is, by any chance, Egg Time.

It is! It’s EGG TIME at the EGG DROP Cafe.

Say you selected a bowl of noodles from the Zip Hotel breakfast offerings, and now want to know what flavor it will be. You just deploy your translation app, to find your way to an answer. You take a picture of the words to be translated from Korean, and the app tells you what they are in English. When the words appear in English, you will know for sure what flavor your noodles will be.

“When it’s put to rest” flavor? That can’t be right. And I don’t want a “reportable minister” for breakfast, spicy or not. Let’s try that again.

“When I wake up” flavor noodles? “Poetry ring 4 minutes?” I am now completely baffled. Let’s try translating it again. There has to be a better answer…

I do not think “If you open the house” is a noodle flavor anywhere in the world. Hmmm. Maybe if I try translating the little flavor-powder packet that comes with the bowl of mystery-flavor noodles …

And that is breakfast in Seoul, South Korea. That is every single day so far, really. Mystery words and bafflement. But also intrigue, and sometimes comedy! So I just come here to this blog, and I write it down.

Does that answer your question?

Q: I think it does. For you, Seoul is a place of language.

A: Exactly! And you sound like an English Professor already.

Q: What a terrible thing to say.

A: Any other questions? Maybe I can offer some diversion and respite.

Q: I have a question! Got any new bowl pictures? I really like bowls.

A: Yes, in fact I do! Historic bowls of many kinds from the Korean National Museum, in a picture taken there yesterday:

Q: Wow, a wall of historic Korean bowls. That’s very diverting and a respite from the chaos, for those of us who really like bowls.

A: Everyone likes bowls.

Q: Yeah. Bowls.