Totally Excellent Discoveries

I just got home from my maiden voyage to the casino with Nikki. Naturally, I lost the $40 of FREE MONEY the casino gave me to start with (I've never had much luck gambling) but Nikki picked up a cool $80 on roulette in the 30 minutes we were there. She's now convinced I'm her lucky charm, and on the way home tonight she picked up the dinner tab to thank me.

Over dinner (she showed me where to find the absolute BEST, most delicious gogi gui in Haeundae) we got to gushing about how much we love life in Korea. Now I'm feeling a bit obligated to share some of the totally excellent discoveries I've made lately...so please enjoy this mish-mash of 'Did You Know?'s coming your way.

1. McDonald's delivers for 20 cents.
I've been wondering about the crazy motorbike drivers whipping around the city in McDonald's attire for quite some time. Apparently in Korea you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to soothe that Big Mac craving. 10 points for Team Obesity!

2. Korean purple grapes taste exactly like Welch's grape juice.
As far as fruit goes, grapes have never been at the top of my list, but our Sport's Day picnic this week gave me the opportunity to sample my first Korean purple grape. And let me tell you, they're unreal. So delicious that I immediately bought a bunch and I've been popping those things like candy ever since.

3. The elevators have an 'undo' button.
This may or may not seem like a novelty to some of you, but in Korea if you happen to hit the wrong elevator floor button by accident, you can UNDO your selection. Call me small-town, but I've never seen elevators function in this way. It just makes so much sense.

4. In restaurants, they give you a cloth to wash your hands before eating.
Yes, I love it. Every restaurant, every time, you receive a hot cloth to wash your hands before putting anything in your mouth. Hand sanitizer + hot cloth = no gross lemon/alcohol smell on your hands while you're eating.

5. Need something? Call "Yogi-yo!"
As someone who's held many waitressing jobs, I love this concept. In Korea if you need something in a restaurant (i.e. to place your order, get a napkin, get a refill, pay your bill, etc.) it is your responsibility to call your server over - they do not come to you. As a server there is nothing more frustrating than walking over to a table to take their order, only to stand there for several minutes watching them 'hmm' and 'haw' over what to get. Waiters are busy and stressed-out people, waiting around for an order is such a waste of time! That's why I love Korean restaurants, you see your server, call "Yogi-yo!", and they'll whip right over to help you. It's not considered rude, just efficient.

I'll pause there, because I could go on forever, but those are just a few of favourites from this week. I'm going to veg out with American Idol for the next hour, and then bed time! Have a great Friday Canada! Keep cool my babies.