PREVIOUS CHAPTER:  1. SEOUL    NEXT CHAPTER:    3.  GRAFFITI

 Chivas Regal Whiskey

Hearing earlier that our new home may be one of the most "interesting" areas in Seoul Korea, we reflect on our past month in this mega-modern city.   As the CEO of our company has stated and as we've witnessed, Koreans appear to respect our Canadian citizenship and treat tourists / foreigners with high regard on the street.

Kyung-Ha, noticing our table missing an important element, orders a bottle of Chivas Regal whiskey.  Recognizing a bias or preference for Chivas Scotch, I ask if this is a popular drink choice in South Korea.

Pausing, Kyung-Ha relays a story of a presidential assassination and a cultural link to this blended malt whiskey.

 1979 - Presidential Assassination

During an autumn day in 1979 a South Korean President, Park Chung Hee, requests trusted friends and aquaintances meet for an evening social.  With a table of delicacies and a bottle of Chivas Regal, President Park enjoys a private performance from a famous Korean singer of the era.

Abruptly Kim Jae-Gyu, head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, stands up, draws a gun and shoots the president in the chest, ending his life.    

Facts Regarding Chivas Regal Whiskey And This Incident

Kyung-Ha explains that to this day, many South Koreans order a bottle of Chivas to reflect on this president's term in office, debate current events and discuss serious topics.

After finishing the beverages and an-joo(Korean side dishes) we prepare to pay our portion of the bill.   Refusing payment, Kyung-Ha and his friends are proud to have shared with us Korean history and culture.

In Korean tradition, we accept their generosity and offer to pay for more drinks and food at another location.  Accepting our offer, the club is closed for the night and everyone prepares for the long hike, across the street, to the next beverage oasis.

 Covered Wagons

Entering a temporary tent setup a few hours earlier, we find seats at a large picnic table.   Ordering Gon-Chee (fried fish), Oh-Eee (cucumber), and Dak-Bal (chicken feet), we settle down for an early morning snack.

Watching the Koreans talk in low tones, we wait to see whom will be nominated to translate this discussion into English.   With a pen and a business card, I watch as a doughnut-shaped image appears on paper....

Thinking "Tim Hortons doughnuts" I watch and listen as our new friend points and states loudly "Po-Chung-Ma-Cha". 

Everyone smiles.... everyone except us Canadians whom are truly puzzled ???

Noticing our confusion and with a glass of liquid courage, another Korean at a different table states in perfect English "Howdy Pilgrim" !

"Howdy Pilgrim".....?

Immediately I smile as I recognize John Wayne's accent.  Reviewing the business card again, I notice it actually does resemble a covered wagon.   Eating in a covered, temporary eating/drinking establishment, "Po-Chang-Ma-Cha" is the name for these tent cafes.

"Po-Chung-Ma-Cha"

Raising a glass, I toast new friendships and future adventures stating:

"Po-Chung-Ma-Cha...I reckon so, Pilgrims!"

Headache, Bright Light!

While the early morning stroll home was a blur, I wake up and prepare to leave the condo complex for an early afternoon trip for food.   From the corner of my eye, I notice some new street graffiti and mentally note the artists poor workmanship.   Slowing to a standstill, I slowly look back and notice the artist's choice of "white chalk" and a "traced outline of a human being"... lying at an awkward angle...

 Next Chapter...

Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."Graffiti"

 More Facts / Related Reading

President Chung-Hee Park

 

Singer Soo-Bong Sim

 Food