impossible

There are a lot of people that you will meet in life that will tell you things are impossible. You might wonder why I chose these words to catapult my journey, though I am not going to explain- for the ones that are driven to explore; driven to push boundaries; driven to live and learn more about themselves than they ever thought they could- are the ones who will understand.

“The simplicity of a fish jumping out of water or the pull of ships horn has enough light to guide this vessel through any weather.”

I left Seoul just as the rain crashed the party without invitation like your drunken father at your 12^th birthday; or when you have the house to your gf and yourself and your mom unexpectedly comes home- though this time I was prepared. I threw on my raincoat and tightened the rain cover straps over my bag that was already tied down to my bike, and I left the Chinese  restaurant after 30 minutes of workers ping-ponging helpful directions to a destination I wasn’t even searching- note to self *never ask for directions in a room of more than 1 person.

I battled though Friday traffic in one of the world’s most vehicle infested cities and didn’t emerge until I was over 100km deep, cursing the creator of the combustion engine and twats that installed the unsynchronized lights. I know where I am but pouring rain and traffic force me to change route instead of the number 1 highway I intended on riding. I ended up fighting through unknown roads which would have been welcomed had it not been the beginning of my journey and the rain. I simply just wanted to cover ground. After stopping at a handful of GS25’s and 7-11’s and confused conversation amongst random convenience stores and hamburger shop workers I finally get myself on track heading south along the west coast .

 Now mind you I’m on a motorcycle and laughed off the rain and traffic, but I have just entered plague country- a black mist litters the sky as millions of forefinger sized chamjarees (dragonflies) dip and dive across the expressway. Birds patiently line the side of the road and take turns gorging on the buffet of lifeless bugs that have been hit along the commute.

Since I was riding at the same speed as the blinding insects I felt as if I could reach out and grab a handful. If I had a frog riding passenger it could have slashed its tongue in every which direction and reeled in a winged treat.

With my mouth shut and shades covering my eyes I could only avoid so many before they started pounding my bike, face and chest- with a force double that of being still I am in wonder how they didn’t crack my glasses. As they thumped my chest and barren legs it left short stinging sensations- sometimes they would land upon my lap and I would have to throw them off my their lifeless wings.

On two occasions it got wedges between my helmet and ear and the buzzing and wriggling of its broken wing sent me into frenzy as I forcefully pulled over my bike and threw off my helmet all in one motion. This routine lasted through three districts and over 60 km- I don’t know where the fuck they were headed but it must have been one hell of a party.

I pulled my bike over once I saw the familiar giant fluorescent E that attracts customers like swarming bugs.

Leaving work at 230 I didn’t reach Boryeong until 730 where I stopped at the Emart to pick up dinner for the night. The coasts of Korea are home to an undesirable amount of fish restaurants which is why I ended up at a supermarket for dinner.

There is something about supermarkets that give me energy- it might be the increased flow of oxygen or perhaps the women in miniskirts dancing in the frozen food isles; but it all leads to me shouting at deli workers who are singing the nights discounts and flirting with the bakery women. Boryeong Emart wasn’t any different. A group of middle aged women asked me questions about my trip and modelled for a few photos.

After checking out I heard yelps from the interior walkway- it was dog-lockers! Yes… dog-lockers!

trip around korea

Are you crazy?”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no way you can do it”

“Yes, I can. I will. I don’t care if it breaks. I’ll walk the rest of the way, but I need you to get it in the best shape possible.”

“Alright, well…come back in a couple hours”, the mechanic chuckled as he walked back into his shop.

There are a lot of people in life that will tell you things are impossible. You might wonder why I chose these words to catapult my story, but I’m not going to get into detail; for the ones that are driven to explore, driven by adventure, driven to live and learn more about themselves are the ones that will understand why I chose to ride my motorcycle around Korea.

Now this never seemed like an impossible thing for me to do, and with my contract ending in 3 months I wanted to take advantage of my time spent in Korea and leave with the full experience.

My 10-day journey started with a trip to the mechanic, a borrowed tent, a stop at Dongdaemun’s camping district, a handy Korean road map, the knowledge that you can pitch-a-tent pretty much anywhere along the coast (just check with the locals first), and the idea to circle the country; everything else was left up to the roads.

1)  

Jeju’s Jeongbong waterfall is quoted to be “the only Asian waterfall that falls directly into the ocean”. I like the ferocity of this quote so I decided not to do any research to find the truth in it and just let it be.  It truly is a breathtaking site and worth the 2000 won park admittance; it is also located within 20 km of Seogwipo’s other waterfall Cheonjiwon. 

2

After driving along the shore roads on the west coast of Jeju, the rocky cliffs forced me to merge onto the 1132 expressway which is where I found this sexual wonderland (not to be confused with Jeju’s other sexual wonderland Loveland). The Sex and Health Museum is home to grand sculptures of people at play- much like these sexy women who urged me to snap these erotic photos.

3)

Lonely Planet Korea claims it takes 7-8 hours to climb Hallasan’s summit, and I would have followed that advice had it not been that I was rushing to catch a ferry to Busan and hadn’t the time, which is partly excuse of the goofy look. The hazy background often comes-and-goes due to the altitude and location to the sea; the mist passed within 5 minutes but my camera hadn’t the life left.

4)

This ajumah approached me with a sweetened deal of 5 king crabs for 50,000 won- so after stopping at the local shop for some butter to melt in her microwave I took her up on the bargain. Yeondok’s port is home to a seafood market that is surrounded by restaurants with tanks swelled with ocean delights.

5)

After cruising and sleeping on beaches and mountains all along the coast line I pulled into a Baekam on a cloudy day and met Bryce the owner of this Baekam Springs Hotel.

Each bedroom is furnished with a bathtub that is pumped with natural hot-springs water, or if you are just passing through; you can opt for a cheaper alternative and just use the bath-house for 6000 won, either way it’s a very relaxing excuse to stop in Baekam.

6) This spectacular fountain rests just off the shore of Kolaybul’s white sandy beach. At night the town gathers closely around and watches the colourful streams dance to Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye.

7) It is told that a young man and woman paddled a boat out to an island, in which the man had to leave shortly after, promising his quick return. That night the waves grew violently and he was unable to make the venture and it was the same storm that threw her from the island ending her life. From that day forth that fishing village was struck with barren catches as it was said that the woman’s tears had warded off the fish. The people of the village began creating phallic wooden carvings and sending them to sea as a tribute to the virgin woman- this action resulted in the end of the curse and the village once again flourished with great scaled bounty.

8) Walking out of Daechon’s E-Mart, I was startled to hear the sound of muffled barking as I witnessed this dishevelled puppy as one of the new victims of dog lockers.

9) Jeongdongjin is home to a happening beach-town pumping with late night karaoke and long sandy beaches. Its name derives from the Joseon Dynasty out of its directly-eastern position to Seoul’s Gwanghwamun. 

10) After spending the night sleeping on a mountain along the Mokpo’s West Sea, I woke to board the 4 1/2 hour ferry boat to Jeju. It is a good idea to book your tickets a day in advance to avoid the lines in the morning. Prepare for choppy waters but all the nice people on board make for a smooth ride.

11)Unlike my previous boat ride; Jeju to Busan’s 11-hour overnight ferry gives you much time to catch up on needed rest. Prepare to bring some ear plugs for the late night television viewers in your cozy room of 100. 

After 1340 km on my bike and one sore ondongy I departed on my 230 km trip back to Seoul. Stopped at a red light just outside of Jeongdongjin, several police officers were standing car-side before one called me over. I doing nothing illegal just followed procedure and cruised through the red light to meet him. The cop anxious at a chance to meet a foreigner asked me my name and age while checking out my bike. Before letting me go he asked me where I was going; Seoul I said, as he chuckled mimicking my mechanics reaction. 

teaching oversees is a breeze

Imagine waking up to your alarm clock, but instead of turning it off right away- you take a moment to picture your family back home getting ready to sit down for dinner.  The sun illuminates your room as you get out of bed, enjoy a big stretch and breathe in your new life in South Korea. Outside your window is one of Korea’s breathtaking mountains, which is perfect because you’re just about to get onto your motorbike and cruise the countryside, rolling alongside rice paddies and chili patches, slipping through little fishing villages and getting lost in your endless freedom.  As you can see, I had the time of my life in Korea.

I started thinking of teaching overseas in Asia my first year of university, and by the time I graduated, I had only talked myself further into it. It looked like a great opportunity to get a feel for teaching before committing myself to teachers college-and more importantly, for me at least, was to start seeing the world.  So if you are sitting there, thinking that you know you do not want to settle down at a job just yet, or you really don’t know what you want to do, maybe this will help get your mind flowing.

 There are many countries that are looking for English teachers; China, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand are among some of the most popular. Since I have only taught in Korea- I will help you go through the process of finding a teaching position and filling you in on what to look for, while shedding light on what you should expect.  So come on, check it out. 

Korea is a highly driven country, where school and education more often than not, come first- so do not be frightened to see children working harder than you ever did throughout school.  It is their culture and it is what has made them one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  Koreans work hard but they also know how to enjoy their time outside of work, and you can find a good number of South Korea’s 48 million filling one of its amusement parks on a sunny summer day, hiking the dormant volcano on Jeju Island, shopping at one of Korea’s extensive network of underground malls, painting their body at the annual Boryeong Mud Festival, rocking out at one of the Seoul’s free outdoor concerts, or eating at one of Korea’s famously spicy restaurant at four in the morning. Everything you dream and even things you haven’t, you will find in Korea.

                You are probably wondering “how do I get around Korea when the only word I know is anyong-haseyo?”  Well, I will let you in on a few tips that might make your life abroad a little easier.

Imagine a culture with a society based around perfecting skills, family gatherings, eating big meals and karaoke- you are going to meet a lot of smart, loving, hungry, fun people- but sometimes they might tend to be reserved, and it has a lot with their shyness towards speaking English, which is totally understandable. To make these Koreans feel more comfortable, it is helpful to initiate conversation and reinforce that you understand them clearly- and more often than not, you will end up at a local Korean barbeque at 3 in the morning, being dragged to the karaoke- you better not say no, or you will be missing out on a friend for life, and one hell of a good time.

A good percentage of the youth in Korea have a grasp on the English language, if they are not already fluent- so you are never too far from conversation.  And remember, there is a huge underground of English teachers from all over the world- and you are all going through the same experience.

Ok, so assume that you have decided to go to Korea, and you have already researched the culture thoroughly. Now you are asking yourself “what do I need to do next?”  Well you would have to find a school.

There are many websites to locate schools in South Korea: www.daveseslcafe.com, www.worknplay.com.kr, and www.englishspectrum.com are some of the best, and have thousands of recruiters or schools looking to hire someone like you, a university graduate. Semesters start in September and March, so there is always an increase of positions accordingly, but one-month winter and summer camps open up all the time- so there are always plenty of jobs to be had all year round.

              With the abundance of jobs there is room to find the best school for you.   Ask yourself the questions, do I want to work night classes or day?  Teach small classes or big?  Teach adults or children?  Work Saturdays?  And most importantly, which city in South Korea do I want to live in?

              Another important question to be asking yourself, is what should I expect from your school? This is where I can help you. The standard expectations for a first time teacher are:

·         roughly 2.0 to 2.3 million won/ month (2000 – 2300 Canadian dollars)    

·         house or housing allowance 400,000 won ( 400 Canadian dollars)

·         roundtrip flight- return paid upon completion

·         10 days holiday + statutory holidays ( believe me there are many)

·         Bonus month pay upon completion (2000-2300 dollars)

·         Pension and medical coverage

               I know it is a hard decision to just pick up and go, so you can help put yourself at ease by asking to speak to one of the foreign teachers at your school. They can give vital information as to whether the school is well run, if they pay on time, if they have a consistent schedule and most importantly if it is a fun environment.

               Now that you have found a legitimate school, the business side becomes involved. Believe me this process can sometimes get frustrating, but do not let it deter you from teaching abroad- for the rewards are far greater than the hassle.

               First, you will need to contact your university and order a sealed transcript ($8/each- it is good to order more than one if you plan on teaching for more than one year) it takes around 3 weeks to receive. Meanwhile, you can drive to the nearest police station that performs criminal checks and ask for the vulnerable sector search, tell them that you are going to teach English overseas and they will understand.  This process takes 2 weeks and costs $40 and you can get as many copies sent, within reason.

               Send the above two documents to your schools Korean address, along with your original diploma (order another original if yours is framed on the wall or magnetized to the fridge), 2 passport size photos, resume, and a copy of your schools contract signed.  In as early as two weeks, your                                                          Korean contractor will send you a visa number that you need to bring to the Korean Consulate in Toronto, go to www.koreanconsulate.on.ca/en/ (click E-2 visa guidelines for complete instructions) to clearly see the specific details. If you live two hours away or further from Toronto, you can perform this step over the phone, rather than fighting your way through Toronto’s ferocious traffic.

              Unfortunately, you do require making an appearance eventually when your visa sticker is available, you have to go to the Korean consulate and have your passport stamped with an E-2 visa- allowing you to teach English overseas for a one year period. 

             There are a few things to consider if you plan on travelling outside of Korea during your stay.  You are going to need to ask for a multi- entry visa.   It comes compulsory for Americans, but up here in Canada we need to request it and pay the small fee, which is totally worth it.  Also, one more important reminder, make sure your passport does not expire while abroad.  If have already booked your flight, show your electronic-conformation to the passport office and they can speed up the process, and if you are sweet enough try your luck at the Korean consulate.

             That is it you are finished, nothing else to worry about, right? You have a new exciting job, which pays well and gives you the freedom to explore and meet new people. What else could you ask for? How about experience!

              Unfortunately, I cannot give you experience; only time can give you that. But before you walk into a classroom filled with rambunctious kids or eager adults, it helps to have some ideas or knowledge to fall back on. Some schools have strict teaching guidelines. Some have books or a curriculum to follow.  While others might give you complete freedom within the classroom- so it is a good idea to always be thinking of new teaching ideas that are fun and interesting. For help on teaching tips for all ages check out www.daveseslcafe.com.

             Don’t forget, most contracts are for one year so think carefully while you pack.  You will be able to find most products in Korea from English bookstores, McDonalds and silkworms, all the way down to Kraft Dinner- so you aren’t cut off from the world just yet.  Also think about bringing a laptop to stay in touch with your family back home, and if you are of the fairer size like myself; bring some extra clothes and shoes- they really do go the extra mile.

             Lastly, before you go and jump on a plane to Korea, I have to be cheesy for a second- so you have been forewarned.  Everything I have mentioned prior is all well and good, but you need to know that the most important things to bring with you are good energy, a positive attitude and sense of adventure. There is nothing better than looking back on the year and noticing a difference in your student’s speech and gained comfort in the English vocabulary and who knows you might even learn a thing or two about yourself along the way- I sure did.

For those of you who are still wondering what anyong-haseyo means, it is a polite way of saying hello.  So go spread the word.  Happy travelling 

pre korea

It all started when my friend Cheryl received a call from a recruiter in South Korea about teaching English. I was sitting on her couch and I shouted out “tell him I want a job”.  She did and I ended up in South Korea  one month and 30 hours later, walking around the Inchon terminal immersed in a new world, alone and stood up by that same recruiter.

An hour had passed before arriving as my name rang over the speakers “Rouis, to gate 7”. Alex was finally here. He stood out, being the other only other foreigner at gate 7. And there I was looking for a middle aged Korean man through a busy airport the whole time. We boarded a bus, to which I now know was heading to Seoul, and I am told that I will be staying the night at the director of the English camps apartment. Alex turns out to be a nice guy, not that I doubted him (too much), and made me feel welcome as he filled me in on the history of the buildings we were passing- like hooters and outback.

Night was closing in, giving and entirely new perspective on the city, than day.  The city was covered with millions of shining lights, making Las Vegas look like snow globe.  We arrive at the boss’s house and I am greeted by his whole family; little Christina, healthy sized Chris, and his adorable wife Yun. Christina brought my backpack to my room, and I am shown the house and told to make myself feel at home. I sat in the living-room as Yun prepared me a traditional Korean meal.  It was my first taste of real Korean food aside from the flight there. 

The kids and I sat by my computer and used the webcam to talk to my mother back in Canada- I was told to get some rest because we had a long day driving across the country to Busan, which is in the south, of South Korea. I retire to my room, and due to the time difference, being 13 hours ahead, I couldn’t get to sleep, so I sat awake writing about my adventure so far. 

The next morning, I had rice for breakfast before packing my bags and leaving for the terminal. I said goodbye to the kids and gave them both some Canadian coins to remember me by. The boss and I left his apartment and made our way through the city, giving me just enough time to be lost in it all. I could not believe the excitement of the city. I have always tried to walk into new experiences without expectations, so that I am ready for anything. So aside from knowing Korea was in Asia and that it had one of the biggest cities in the word, I hadn’t the slightest clue of what Korea was going to be like. I just knew that it was going to be different, and that I was ready for a change.

We arrive at the terminal around 9 am, giving me time to indulge in my first Korean beer Hite-(pronounced hi-tuh).  If you are thinking “I can’t believe he had a beer at 9 am”, just remember that my body was running on a schedule of 13 hours ahead, so technically it was 10 pm which is a totally legitimate time to enjoy a beer. Enough being said, we boarded the bus and embarked on a country wide trip, which only lasted around 5 hours. We finally reached Busan after a long stretch of highway and some pit-stops in some small rural towns.

The countryside was beautiful- trees dotted the mountains where workers tended their plots of produce. We finally reached Busan and pulled up to a building embedded mountainside. So here we go I thought, this is my new home, let’s check it out.

I made my way to the 3^rd floor and walked into a room of about 10 foreign teachers and 10 Korean assistants, bustling about a conference room littered with computers.  I greet everyone and am partnered up with a Korean assistant named Hakeem, a fun loving, graffiti artist, in his mid 20’s. It seems like a great environment and it is well prepared, with supplies for teaching and for the students. We are briefed on how school is going to run the next morning when the students arrive and we all board the bus to find out where we are staying.  The bus comes to a stop down a dodgy little alley, as we get out of the bus; we are guided to our new abode for the next month. I soon find out that it is a love motel, looks like I am in for one hell of a time.  

rained in

The fierce rain has halted my departure and I think of how many obstacles have been unmasked within the hinds of nature’s untamed jurisdiction. How many people have faced chaos, upheaval, and devastation only to charge in chin-high?

A little rain has come in between me and my job, because I don’t want to teach drenched in rags. Where do I draw a line between getting soaked and showing up for work late? Now is my reply; for it appears to be growing stronger with age. I will not charge this downpour like a soldier into battle, but rather unheroically cower with crouched shoulders enduring the heavy blows of nature’s fists.

                                                                                                             Stuck in mcdonalds Korea, apkujeong

random thoughts about korea

When the world around me sleeps- I create.

______________________________________________________________

Forcing thoughts

Force I not

Unfortunately,

I forgot

_______________________________________________________________

The clanging tongue

Knows not best,

To those who speak

When they should rest

As I write-

I am sitting ‘cross from a shaken man.

His fists clenched

Around his cell phone,

Mumbling foreignly under his breath,

Checking the time,

Eyeing his bag-

Then as if a fuse was lit

I watched as the wick ignited

And snaked its way through his body

His eyes now swolle’

Shifted from his bag to his watch

Trembling began to brew in his breath

Coinciding with motioning

His cell phone to his ear

With his shuddering hand-

The fire that he unleashed danced through thin air

Magically un-harming bystanders in its path

                                                            Arriving hastily

On the receiving end

Engulfing the reciprocate

In flames

runin w steph

I just ran into Steph Flemming- a firecracker of a girl with enough ammunition to take down Hezbollah. Its rather humorous though paralleled in a sad way that there is a girl that I am overly and overtly compatible with- that is leaves us in tears when we depart.  Our departures drag on as if we were competing in a telemarketer’s challenge- both striking and re-striking new issues of discussion; to remain in each others presence minutes longer. We are both, funny enough, happy in relationships- but, it’s an underlying tense that is universally felt that we will unite in our next lifetime. I rode her to her house as she embraced me from behind; gripping me snugly though with trust as we forced our way up tight inclines and through boisterous taxis.  I left her with mixed emotions, ecstatic about our encounter but ruffled about our duration- perhaps in our next lifetime.

6/23/09 Haebongchon 

ass grabbing story

It all started when i got an text message from my korean girlfriends "OTHER" boyfriend on Thanksgiving- I knew he was Korean because of the broken english text - If you contact her again i’m going kill to you. That being said I contacted him back in a spirited text "Happy Thanksgiving" (I wanted to keep it cool and classy). So yadda yadda, i finally contacted my soon to be ex-gf and did what was needed. And then this is when all the bad doings started a brewin'...So now i'm single and on the town- I went shopping with a buddy o' mine and we were in some downstairs clothing barrage where everything must go. I found a decent cap and asked the man how much it was. "Man won", he says. "common man, you can do better than that its a cheap hat, how about 6?". This banter goes on for a few more minutes before he grabs my cock and says "chil cheon won". Well if I didn't more red than a plump tomato. I exploded back " what the heck man, now its O cheon won that's a E cheon won discount, you cant do that man". Well in the end I got stiffed and had to pay chil cheon won. But it doesnt end there... So the next day Im at Yongsan doing some paruzzing and end up empty handed. As I am leaving the place I'm walking next to a friend when an elderly man "ajoshi if you will" is walking towards me, but is no means of cramped quarters, and comes out of left field and grabs my ass. Now im feeling a little questionable, but i shrug it off with a beer. So the next morning Im off to work on a subway because I got arrested recently for riding without a dang license- babo- and so it be, I'm on the subway when im eying the handicap,pregnant,elderly seats and a old man spots me back, as he gets up and makes for the doors, he does a sexy little nod of the head as if to say "hey, the seats all yours big man"- I take it as a compliment and sit down. Well the train hasnt come to a stop yet, and he begins to start making tongue faces at me sticking his tongue out lizard like and winking. I'm grinning because I cant believe it, as he gets off and the door shuts behind him,he sticks his head to the window and..well the last thing I saw of him was his tongue wagging at me- sending chills through my body and even more questions as to what the hell is going on. I break up with my girlfriend and have 3 old men hit on me in 3 days. As I get up I look at the reflection of myself in the door, thinking is it me?what am i doing? I notice that i have one earring in. Ahhh I thought, damn myself for tempting the devil- so out it comes. The rest of the day went without a hitch- no attraction from men, and of course none from women either...poor Lou.Next day- same.Yippee I think to myself, I fixed the problem. WRONG!!Im at a market near Dongdaemun shopping for records and water-based lube when I spot an antique fan.The man quotes me something out of my range and i say thanks "comsamneda"
as i'm walking away I feel the aging hands of yet another ajoshi slapping my ass " Slap... Slap... Slap...". Will this ever end... Well luckily it has, it has been a good two weeks now without being ass mauled, assaulted, harrassed, cock-mitted, or fisted (well, that’s another story children). But fortunately I was raised my by a strong mother, and I will over come all of these treacherous doings- and one day I will rise again- though hopefully on better terms.

out with steve

The pigeon landed

To eat bread

But ended up

With its insides

Splattered across the street

This is the only time

I had seen bread

Win a fight

Excuses are for gooses.

Girls are like books;

Sometimes you pick one up

Read a few pages

And find out you are not interested

So you put it down

And pick up a new one.

Machine coffee?

Only got 2 coins- they’re yours!

Live around here?

Yep, over in Noksapyeong!

Want to get a room?

Nope, I’m pipin’ good mam!

Do you want to watch?

Well….

Headed legs

Parade spy bar

With eyes in the clouds

Scanning sculpted jaws

And vintage Mickey Mouse Ts

My friend Steve cuts a rug

And left wounded

Realizing he’s been stepped on

the bench of tears

Sitting in a shaded 3 bench park boarded by an open gate- an elderly, white haired man inched into view. He slowly stepped his way foot by foot over the raised bar that hung the  gate a crouched cats height from the weathered brick walkway.  He caught me in his view and froze as if I had tried to sneak his daughter in past her curfew; but I assumed  I was sitting in his seat.  A mustard coloured bench, torn and fretted exposing its wood interior mixed amongst a ménage of hues reminiscent of a damp residue clinging to the leaves of a forest in late fall.  He barred the incline gently and with eyes glued to his journey-worn feet- he made his mark a face-plant away from I. We once again shared eyes- when a toothless smile  smeared his pruning flesh and he picked up a water bottle  resting bench-side and laughed after making its acquaintance- I followed suit shooting a gumming smile as if I’d aimed with arrow. He took a newspaper, like they always do, and placed it as a seat cover not to stain his washer-worn trousers. I sat a bench behind him as he swung his hand to scratch his glistening brow. His bent fingers, pawing through his buzzed white sprouts threw me into a fond relapse of childhood;

I’m sitting tableside while my
Grandma cooks toast over an
Open stove-top flame- I don’t
Know how she did it but I’ve
Never tasted a better piece of
Toast in my whole darn life and
I still haven’t to this day. As her
Aged hands lay the toast on my
Plate- I think how her wrinkles,
moles, and marks never bothered
me, because she is my grandma
and I love her. Now with grandpa-
all sitting behind our plates piled
with mounds of mashed potatoes,
cream corn, and a gravy masked
meat; Pa and I set out on a race
 to devour or meal first. I don’t
 recall how this tradition started
but I hold it close to my heart.
Of course grandpa always let
me win; so what seems like a
lightning bolt of quickness our
meal is done and I sit at the
table for nana to finish the dishes
so we can play cards. Pa would
head to the back room to watch
the tele; loafing on his worn couch in
his work-worn slacks and smoke
his cigarettes. Finally nana finished
the dishes and dealt out the cards-
whether crazy 8’s, kings in the corner,
or gin- we’d laugh and play as her
cigarettes burned down to the filter.
After a couple hours id call on my
Grandpa to go to his legion-like
basement to play darts. Walking down
The creaking J-shaped staircase to
The cool cement floor was always my
favourite part of my visit. The basement
Was in the shape of a torpedo with a root
cellar and tool-shop to the left of the stairs.
I’d always mess around with grandpa’s vice
Grip- locking blocks of wood between its firm
Hands and furiously taking saw to it; my grandpa
Always lended guidance and assisted me until the
air was filled with dust and the nub smacked
the cold ground. The shiny metallic heating ducks
 that tunnelled along the ceiling were home to chalk
etchings of dates, names and high scores. Darts
was the main attraction; even at my young age I
managed to have a few scores engraved amongst
the old timers. We’d spend hours down there; throwing
darts and busting each other on missed throws
and low scores. Then we’d pull a couple wooden chairs
 to this circular table and tell me stories about
World-War II and his time in the navy.

“We were commissioned off the coast in Halifax and were sent to go check out a location that was said to be infiltrated with German U-boats; we set out but had to return to refuel and another ship was sent out in our place and ended getting blown out of the water- no survivors”

I was always in awe of the story when I was a wee one and it stuck with me to this day. He gave me his oil slick WWII knife; two-sided, one with, now dull blade; the other with an aged stake.

As I faded in and out of trance- I heard my grandfathers voice “I’m right here with you, you little bugger”. The tears began to stream down my humid cheeks (and as the white haired man entered my life he just as quickly disappeared). As I opened my eyes upon hearing the words from my grandfather- he rose from the bench and gently crept past the raised gate till he was out of view. Sometimes occurrences sneak up on you in many forms that piece together the importances that have pieced together who we are.  This beautiful occurrence helped dig up a fond memory that I have thrown many shovel loads over. It is important never to forget where one comes from and I must give thanks to that toothless angel that came and graced one of the three benches.
 6/29/2009