I'm not sure what is more strange, that there are book vending machines of this type in Seoul, or that there actually exist classic works of Babylonian Judaism. But then book vending machines strike me as rather strange anyway.
I don't recall seeing anything of the sort, but it's been over a decade since I was last in Seoul, and I was mostly looking for a meal and a drink, although I nice souvenir for Mrs. Drang would have been nice--actually, come to think of it, if they were in English, she probably would have found "classic works of Babylonian Judaism" interesting...
Were I in a country facing down invasion by millions of Godless Communist NorKs for the past 60 years, and my former superpower ally insists on feeding my enemies while wrecking himself financially, I'd get religion, too. That, or emigrate.
wv- "aterd"=My ally's leader that struck this deal: "OK, Mr. Kim Tinpot, you stop making nukes, and we'll feed yer army for ya..... deal? Deal." Aren't you SO glad they held up their end?
I love the bit about how there's a national sterotype about "jews being smart" etc.
As nice as it is to see a place on earth where jewish sterotypes are positive, I have to admit I want to introduce them to a couple of Jews of my acquaintance who would disabuse them of that particular notion.
They are even "public professional jews" so it's not like it'd be violating their privacy.
Talmud vending machines and Slavic bar girls in TDC.What a change the Land of The Morning Calm has undergone since I ETSed from there 20 years ago.
Evidently no more Imjin Scouts either.I remember watching NKPA soldiers through the 10x Leupold on my M24 as they patrolled inside the demarcation line while the rest of the US Army was in Iraq smashing Saddams army during Desert Storm.
I'm fairly sure South Korea has some secret nukes loaned by the US to be used in event of a Nork invasion. NATO countries in Europe had such nukes on loan, some still have.
Better to have bits of radioactive wasteland, than to suffer under Norks.
Besides, they do have a pretty serious army. Norks may be fanatical, but they are not bulletproof, nor are their tanks and artillery indestructible...
For me the biggest and most wrenching change in Korea is Texas Street in Pusan. It's now run entirely for the patronage of Russians, mostly merchant seamen. The hookers are especially scary - I think Pusan is the third string for Russian hookers, where they go right before retirement.
We were asked not to come back to an Episcopal church.
We seem to be in the same boat, although I come at it from the other side: Christian who moved away from the developed church toward the Jewish roots. Add in my views on creation, and ... let's just say I don't fit in well. Maybe we should start a club. We could get jackets!
Dunno....lived and worked there in the civilian sector for three years and never saw anything like that, and I spent a lot of time wandering the highways and byways. But maybe it's relatively new.
I'm not sure what is more strange, that there are book vending machines of this type in Seoul, or that there actually exist classic works of Babylonian Judaism.
ReplyDeleteBut then book vending machines strike me as rather strange anyway.
I don't recall seeing anything of the sort, but it's been over a decade since I was last in Seoul, and I was mostly looking for a meal and a drink, although I nice souvenir for Mrs. Drang would have been nice--actually, come to think of it, if they were in English, she probably would have found "classic works of Babylonian Judaism" interesting...
ReplyDeleteThings have certainly changed in Seoul since I was there 35 yrs. ago.
ReplyDeleteBook vending machines! --We so totally need them here.
ReplyDeleteWere I in a country facing down invasion by millions of Godless Communist NorKs for the past 60 years, and my former superpower ally insists on feeding my enemies while wrecking himself financially, I'd get religion, too. That, or emigrate.
ReplyDeletewv- "aterd"=My ally's leader that struck this deal: "OK, Mr. Kim Tinpot, you stop making nukes, and we'll feed yer army for ya..... deal? Deal." Aren't you SO glad they held up their end?
Kosher kimchi?
ReplyDeleteI love the bit about how there's a national sterotype about "jews being smart" etc.
ReplyDeleteAs nice as it is to see a place on earth where jewish sterotypes are positive, I have to admit I want to introduce them to a couple of Jews of my acquaintance who would disabuse them of that particular notion.
They are even "public professional jews" so it's not like it'd be violating their privacy.
Talmud vending machines and Slavic bar girls in TDC.What a change the Land of The Morning Calm has undergone since I ETSed from there 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteEvidently no more Imjin Scouts either.I remember watching NKPA soldiers through the 10x Leupold on my M24 as they patrolled inside the demarcation line while the rest of the US Army was in Iraq smashing Saddams army during Desert Storm.
I wonder if TA-50 alley still exists?
hootie11bravo
@jimbob
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly sure South Korea has some secret nukes loaned by the US to be used in event of a Nork invasion. NATO countries in Europe had such nukes on loan, some still have.
Better to have bits of radioactive wasteland, than to suffer under Norks.
Besides, they do have a pretty serious army. Norks may be fanatical, but they are not bulletproof, nor are their tanks and artillery indestructible...
Wow, I thought I felt very isolated being Jewish in the mountains of North Georgia. I'm an even rarer breed being Messianic.
ReplyDeleteThere must be a dozen Baptist churches within a radius of thirty miles but we'd have to drive almost 60 miles one way to find a synagogue.
We were asked not to come back to an Episcopal church.
For me the biggest and most wrenching change in Korea is Texas Street in Pusan. It's now run entirely for the patronage of Russians, mostly merchant seamen. The hookers are especially scary - I think Pusan is the third string for Russian hookers, where they go right before retirement.
ReplyDeleteLots of steel teeth.
We were asked not to come back to an Episcopal church.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be in the same boat, although I come at it from the other side: Christian who moved away from the developed church toward the Jewish roots. Add in my views on creation, and ... let's just say I don't fit in well. Maybe we should start a club. We could get jackets!
Dunno....lived and worked there in the civilian sector for three years and never saw anything like that, and I spent a lot of time wandering the highways and byways. But maybe it's relatively new.
ReplyDelete