Friday, November 14, 2008

Interesting Times... developing story

So, I'm not quite sure what, if anything, that it means, but as I moseyed on down the street today on my way to the closest cab stand to head to work I encountered a strange situation. Maybe it is just paranoia due to the tension with my work situation, but there is no denying the fact that I picked up a tail on my way to work. I know it sounds straight out of a movie, but a seedy looking Korean man in a nice tweed suit fell in step, not one step behind me. I felt him right behind me so I stopped into the closest mart under the pretense of buying something to drink and he sat outside and waited for me to emerge from the building. He fell right in behind me and as I sat at the crosswalk waiting to cross the street, he spoke to me under his breath, but combined with my limited knowledge of Korean and the fact I had my iPod in one ear, I couldn't understand a word. It was the style of speech I call Moscow speak, which I learned when I lived there and people use so that they can have personal conversations in the midst of millions of people. It was quiet, yet directed solely at me. I crossed the street and proceeded to get into a cab and the man proceeded to get into the next cab and follow me. I got out at the intersection of my school and wandered off to get some food and didn't see him again, but that doesn't leave me thinking it was an isolated incident. After speaking with my fellow American teachers, they agreed with my analysis that it was either government (probably immigration) or the mafia as the neighborhood I live in is quite mobbed up. Since he didn't completely stop me, odds are he wasn't government, leaving the mob... I haven't done anything to warrant any type of warning, which this obviously was, or any type of harassment. I am keeping my eyes peeled to see if I spot him again around work or my neighborhood... more to follow when this situation develops more. Obviously, I hope that it resolves itself and falls to rest with no further interaction or confrontation. This is relatively unheard of, so it has everyone a little concerned, but not overly so as nothing was done. Love you all and hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful fall! Talk to you all again soon.

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