Soho

Soho, My local pub. Its amazing. The owner - Mr Lee. He's awesome. He has great taste in music. Let me attempt to paint some sort of a picture as to what Soho is.

Soho... you walk up a very narrow stairwell, by following the smallest neon light displaying its name, one even wonders as to what would draw you up that stairwell. But as you reach the door, and push on through, you are greeted with a bar that has a floor to ceiling bookshelf of vinyl records.

The place is tiny. In fact it only has three tables. Two which seat 4 people, the other - only 3 people, and the bar holds 4 bar stools. Yes, a total seating capacity of 11, perhaps 13 people should my memory be wrong.

The tables are positioned over three large windows that look down on the main street in front of Sookmyung Womens University. In a nutshell, it's great people watching and staring facilities.

Mr Lee is fantastic. He's got decent English to the point where he can hold basic conversations with me. He's welcoming, has always remembered my name, and has always shouted me a drink here and there. Or in the case of tonight, about five.

But tonight, wow. I love Soho.

When Rachel left, we started her farewell at Soho. And although we have a limited group of friends... numbering that night around 12 (yes, capacity full), I think it was possibly Mr Lee's busiest night. He was so sweet. He panicked, got a spare keg, moved the tables around, and also got confused thinking that both of us were leaving. This was around 3 weeks ago.

Tonight was the first night I went back. I walked in, did the 'yogiyo' call because he didn't see me, and then sat down at the bar. He turned around, gasped, panicked, freaked out... and eventually shook my hand. Followed by the usual comment... 'Where is Rachel?". I explained she left etc. But my god, I think I gave him the fright of his life, yet, made his night. Hopefully.

He then preceded to play all of my favorite songs. Time - Pink Floyd, Four Strong Winds - Neil Young, Stir it up - Bob Marley, Angie - Rolling Stones. Each song I gave a 'Yeya' too. He then pulled a long list of his fridge.... "I have always kept a list of the songs that you and Rachel always requested." Ohhhh, it was a sweet, sweet moment.

We started talking, and eventually we ended up doing a Korean lesson. Which lasted over at least 6 beers and a couple of hours, and numerous pages of notes. I think my local pub, that entails an awesome owner, with exceptional taste in music and cheap, occasionally free beer - just turned into my Korean exchange language partner. And hell, what a situation. Korean lessons for free, cheap beer (free every now and then) and amazing music. Life is good, oh life is good.

I do love Soho. Both Rach and I always have. And honestly - for those that know me, how much does it sound like 'me'? Could I have a better local? Seriously. I have managed to introduce it to my closest crew over here, but there are definitely a few other people that I know here that I reckon would love it. And I do aim to get them there for sure.

But in regards to my free Korean lessons tonight:

Na neum Soho reul jo a haeyo.
(subject to Korean translation to written English)

Soho rocks. So does Rachel. This post is definitely dedicated to you Rach.
Miss you. And love you.

P.S I'm definitely a little tipsy writing this. oops.