(Anyeong haseo! I'm Rebecca Starr, and I began work as an assistant professor in the Department of English Education this semester. Thanks for the opportunity to share my letter to my friends in America with Wonkwang people. )

Anyeong haseo!
It's a formal Korean greeting I was told to use for good morning, but I've started saying it all day long, for hello.
Today I decided to explore the restaurants in Yongdung Dong, my neighborhood. For me, a nice Korean restaurant has to have pictures of the food so that I can guess what things are and order by pointing.

On Gongjak road a few blocks from my apartment I found Chicken Restaurant, Babeq. Barbecued chicken. A hole in the wall. And but for the Korean dialogue and wooden masks on the wall, it could easily have been located in the California hills. Rustic wooden floors, walls, ceiling, meant to look hand-made, but not. Kitsch on the walls, copper ships, an antique gun, wood carvings of animals, an antique bow and two arrows. Three women seated at a long table, obviously friends for life talking about daily life.

The proprietress got up to help right away, speaking Korean. She pointed to the pictures on the menu and the hardwood fire under her barbecue grate.

I was seated by a portable heater, brought bowls, one of lightly salted peanuts, one of a cubed something, possibly pickled daikon, and one of some crispy puffed rings made from a refined grain. I was offered a pint draft of Hite and eagerly accepted.

And then I was brought a sizable pile of chicken, freshly barbecued over hard wood, and soaking in a sauce, a little sweet, a little vinegary, and the good kind of heat--red chilis. One woman warned me it would be hot; she didn't know how much I like heat. Provided I can find it again, I will go to this restaurant with some regularity.

Best wishes,
Rebecca