Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Mr Go

White Beard – an old meeting with whom Fred and Mr Go are eating with

*

As they slurped their rice wine, the extended family with the extra mat had an extensive layout of plastic containers and dishes filled with colourful Korean foods and snacks.

Oblivious to the two guests beside them, most of the family members were busily plucking chopstickfuls and spoonfuls of the savory vegetable and meat items and filling their mouths like squirrels to the point of their cheeks bulging.

The white-bearded grandfather was sitting back relaxing and noticed that Fred couldn’t take his eyes off the snacks.

The old man muttered something to his son (the Mr Kang look-alike), who then offered to share the spread.

“Oh! Help yourself and eat lots,” the son said, almost pulling Fred toward the food.

“Enjoy,” White Beard called out in his frail voice and then chuckled.

Fred was so thankful and had to restrain himself from polishing off the entire contents of all the containers.

Eating in Korea is a spiritual celebration.

Sitting in a circle with family and friends – or in Fred’s case, complete strangers – and sharing everything induces a strong feeling of solidarity.

Fred and White Beard exchanged glances – Fred in awe of the man’s facial hair; White Beard getting satisfaction seeing a waygook enjoy spicy Korean food.

Maybe there is hope for those weird waygooks he mused.

After a few minutes the family resumed talking amongst themselves.

Fred had regained some strength and Go looked relaxed and content with his bowl of rice wine.

Wow, Fred thought, I’m in Korea.The Republic of South Korea. At one time invaded by Communists right here in these very mountains.

Now a free country. Amazing. Simply amazing.

He took a breath of the fresh mountain air, wolfed down a last gobble of rice and washed it down with the dregs of rice wine in his bowl.

A complete harmony and calm overtook the little picnic.

Fred was at one with the universe.

Go looked off at the array of mountain peaks and their various shades of grey, green and blue as they receded one after the other to the horizon.

“Ah, the panorama here is so spectacular. I wish I was artist.”

Fred passively admired the scene too.

A chilly wind whistled past. He could feel his sweat-dampened clothes against his skin and a shiver rippled through him.

“Fred, Chinju is over for me.” Go lit up a smoke and stood up on the picnic mat. Fred got up with him and stretched.

* Where will Mr Go go? *

The cigarette’s chemicals coursed into Go’s brain, making him reflective. He put his arm around the Canadian’s shoulders, as older Koreans do.

“Fred, really, my hope now is in Ulsan. I opened my business there with help of my old army buddy Mr Kang.

“I had lost touch with him after our compulsory military service.

I had no idea he lived in Ulsan but one day he telephoned me and one thing led to another.

“I found out he wasn’t doing much work-wise and he agreed to become my Ulsan manager.”

“He understands waygooks’ heart and mind and is comfortable with them.”

“He used to train with the American army here in Korea. They have a unit that contains Korean soldiers.

“When there was some problem with my Chinju business, I sent Thomas to Mr Kang in Ulsan. Now Mr Fred I worry about you…”

* Does Mr Go want Fred to move to Ulsan as well? *

The other family was preparing to leave so Go and Fred shuffled off the borrowed mat and rolled it up.

*

Tomorrow: There is a story behind the long white beard.