beans

After school today, I went to the lady who sits on the corner in downtown Suji and sells vegetables, beans, and tofu. Today, though, she didn't have beans, which I needed to make chicken chili. I was at a loss, because the supermarkets don't sell beans. I asked her, just to make sure, if she had any. She looked at the person standing next to me, as if she couldn't understand me. So, I asked her again, a little louder, and slower. She understood, and told me she was all out, but to be sure and come back tomorrow. I thanked her and began wandering the streets in search of another bean seller. I found a woman who had dry beans, but I wanted fresh ones so I could cook my soup soon! I went into a little market and asked if she had beans. Again, this lady looked at the other person at the register as if she didn't understand me. (I swear, there's a preconceived notion that if the speaker of Korean is white, that person will be hard to understand!) So, again, I repeated and enunciated more clearly. She understood, and showed me some bean milk. No, not what I need. I asked her where a store would be that sold beans, and she told me there wasn't one in the neighborhood. I decided I had to go back and get some dry beans. As I was buying them, a little lady was watching me. She then crossed the street with me, and once across, she asked me which country I came from. I answered her and she said, "Don't you want to go back to America?" I told her I like it there, but that I also like Korea. I have been lamenting the fact that I don't get enough practice speaking the language, but today, just in the process of wandering around looking for beans, I was able to have a few decent real world conversations. Now, my soup is on the stove and "Drops of Jupiter" just came on launchcast. Love that song.