Seoul in the City

Chapter 3: Serendipity

"Are you ready to go sweetheart?" Steven asked. "Be right there dad," she said. Cassie rushed downstairs to meet her dad in the car. "I guess he wants me to drive since he is sitting on the passenger side" she noticed. Cassie gets into the cherry red sedan. "So, where are we going today?" she asked. "It's a surprise. I think you are really going to enjoy this baby girl. So sit back, and enjoy the ride" he promised. The car begins to move as she realized her dad was driving on the wrong side. "I forget that cars are driven mainly on the right side internationally whereas in the states we drive on the left side go figure!" she laughed.

Cassie cracks the window a bit because it felt a bit stuffy in the car. She takes off her red beanie and zips down her black bubble coat. "I can turn the a.c. on if your hot" he said. "I'm alright. I just assumed it would be a bit chilly around this time of the year" she explained. "You will get used to the way things work around here if you plan on staying for awhile" he presumed. All she could do was smile. "Now I know how much you love the city and all that it has to offer but Myeongdong kind of reminds me a bit of 42nd street" he confessed. "I'll be the judge of that" she grinned. The ride was only about five or six minutes.

Then she saw what her dad was talking about. This place was packed with people and filled with just about everything she could ever want. "I'll wait for it" he joked. "Okay, it sort of reminds of New York City" she said sarcastically. "Why are the women of this family so stubborn?" he questioned. "Because you couldn't love us any other way" she chuckled. Steven parks the car. "I hope you have your sneakers on" he suggested. "I'm going to take you to all my favorite places to eat, shop, get some facials, the works" he said with excitement. It's really nice to see her dad laughing in spite of her mom's ailment. "Let's go. I'm ready to be a tourist" she admitted.

There were thousands of people all over the street. Cassie knows how to deal with crowds since  she is a city girl and all. But, this was absolutely mind-blowing. The smell was so captivating she couldn't even speak. "What is that?" Cassie pointed to the woman selling food on a stick. "That my dear is what they call Eomuk. It's like a fish cake on a stick. Do you wanna try one?" he teased. "Sure dad," she giggled. The sign read 1,000 won. "That's rather expensive for fish on a stick" she thought. But, nothing compares to living in a rat trap in New York City and spending your entire check on a month's rent. So, Cassie hands her father a ten dollar bill. "Your money is not good here literally. Besides, I'm buying and this is my treat to you. When's the last time I bought you anything? he recalled.

"My education for one" she declared. "That doesn't count, plus you earned it. You are a good child Cassie how could I not want the best for you" he said. Steven then begins speaking in Korean. The elder woman handed them two fish cakes. "I'm impressed dad. Who taught you to speak Korean? Did mom teach you" she insisted. "That's a surprise. You will meet him in a bit" he said. He handed the woman 1,000 won. "Don't get confused by the numbers it's not that expensive as it seems. 1,000 won is like a dollar in American money" he described. As Cassie bit into this crunchy, sweet and salty goodness she could see her dad staring at her from the corner of her eye. "What, is there something on my face?" she said in confusion.

"No. Just enjoying the day with my baby girl" he grinned from ear to ear. "How does it taste?" he inquired. "That was amazing. Can I have a few more" she requested. "Later, I don't want to ruin your appetite. That was just a snack" Steven said. They walked among all different races of people in these streets. It almost felt like home for a bit. She never thought that would actually happen. They stopped in a huge mall named Lotte. It was pretty impressive. There were a few brand names that Cassie recognized from back home; Levi, UNIQLO, Lacoste etc.. "Let's stop in here" he suggested. They head into the Body Shop. This is like every woman's dream. If you love to smell good then you have come to the right place.