say 'hello'.....

a few years ago, i stepped off a plane in seoul and found myself in the ex-pat neighbourhood of itaewon. jetlagged and starving, i wandered the streets at 6 am in search of some food but unable to speak a lick of korean and completely ignorant of korean food save for some bad kimchi i had once. nothing was open at that hour except for a small, hole-in-the-wall place which the adjuma (grandmother) warmly waved me inside as i peered intently to see what sort of food she was cooking up. i ducked into the narrow entrance and clutched my hands to my belly and what i hoped was hunger showing on my face. she let out a string of korean , probably asking me what i wanted, but all i could do was shrug my shoulders, hold my hands out and smile a lot. i pointed to a few things on the counter near her cooking area that i liked and she laughingly ushered me to a seat, unable to stand seeing anyone go hungry in her vicinity. as i perched on the red, plastic stool, i wondered what would arrive at the table for me, not unlike the feeling of excited anticipation on christmas day or my birthday. when she continued to put assured smiles in my direction, i knew i was in good hands. i also knew i was exactly where i suppose to be in the world in that moment.