Even the McDonald's aint 'Merican . . .

    As part of my immigration process, I was informed yesterday that a medical examination would need to be performed in order to make sure I am healthy, undiseased, and drug free. The most disconcerting part of this news was that the examination included the most dreaded medical procedure for all women: the pap spear. (even the word is ugly). This was most upsetting news on many levels mostly because when I inquired about how the "hoo hoo" check goes down in Korea all testimonials the women shared with me were most unsettling. The most ancedotal story entails "a slap on the ass in short paper skirt." Needless to say, I was not looking foward to this. I had a problem with this exam on principle as well. Seems that the wae-gooks (forienger in Korea) men go through a STD blood check but the wae-gook women got to drop trough and spread eagle for their STD check. It is, as many things are in this country, very, very sexist. But the fact of the matter that if I want to stay in Korea, I gotta swallow my feminist pride and do what needs to be done regardless of my position on the matter or how violated I feel as result of it. This is a hard realization, but I imagine it is the first of many situations that will leave me feeling grateful for my freedoms and equalities provided to me. Most that, until now, I have been practically unaware. This sort of mentality is making this whole situation a little more palatable. That or it really it is us easy U.S.  ladies and our dirty hoo hoos' that are spreading the "love disease" all of God's green Korea.

     Any how, after all this mental and emotional preparation, we arrive at the hospital only to be discover that they had recently changed the laws and the pap is no longer a component of the immigration medical exam (apparently too many women complained). I sighed with relief of the greatest proportion. 

     The most exciting the part of the trip to the hospital for the wae-gooks was the ride home which required a brief but neccesary detour to the one of the few semi-American experiences in town, McDonald's. There are a few differences between Korean and American McD's. First off, there is nothing fast about the fast food here. One teacher told me how she waited 45 mins for her egg McMuffin once. They do not have double cheeseburgers but they do have a spicy "shang-hai" burger which is chicken. (?) They do not have fish-filet, but they do have, and brace yourself, a shrimp burger. It is possibly the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted in my life. Just thinking about is making me vomit a little in my mouth. If ever in Asia- just don't, just don't....