Korean Job Discussion Forums

[raketbaler]

Obviously, I like to play racquetball. I've been to over 40 countries, but could never find racquetball. I'm happy to say it's alive and well here in Seoul and I'll be playing a lot of it.
I met up with a K guy who plays racquetball yesterday that I've been in contact with before coming over here. We went to Kolon Sporex near Gangnam station. It was great, I played with a bunch of Koreans who can actually play racquetball at a high level. The best player there was able to get 8 against me, but I was dying from what was either the hot humid air, smog, jetlag... I came out after exhausted as if I was playing at 10,000 ft. What is the elevation here in Seoul? Anyways, like I said, they were all good with perfect mechanics. They are serious about racquetball and even have a club that they're in (which I think I'm in now) where the requirements to be a member is, you must play racquetball and most importantly be able to drink a lot. The two things I'm best at. two of the guys I played with are, from what I could understand, special police in gangnam. They said like my FBI. One of them, who's really cool but doesn't speak any English wants to learn English. I told him I would teach him only if I should ever get arrested or in trouble in Gangnam that he will get me out of trouble. Everyone laughed, and he agreed it was a deal. The other police guy, I think may not like me so much though. When I was playing him, he crossed infront of me shot at the last second. I nailed him in the lower back (the worst possible place to get hit by a racquetball) with a 150 mph shoulder high backhand. Of course, the big guy (who naturally looks like he kills people) went down almost crying. I felt so bad, because I haven't hit someone that hard in a long long time. He went home early while the rest invited me out for dinner and drinks. I was driven to the Seouchu area where we ate lot's of buffolo wings. Every minute, a beer was being put infront of me. Other racquetball players came, who just came back from playing in a tourament. I ended up trading my Polk High t-shirt for one of their tournament souvenier shirts thats says, "I heart racquetball" across the front. They were not shy, I found out that the cutest racquetball girl that was there (who I saw play, She is GOOD), was in love with me. Maybe it was the beer talking on their part, but either way, I'm not going there. I'm sure I was turning red when everyone was trying to match us up. After we went to one of those small kareoke rooms. Everyone of them were really good singers and very into it. I somehow found the courage (maybe liquid courage) to sing. I would never ever do this back home! I butchered the hell our of 'Hotel California' and 'Californication'!
They didn't let me pay for a thing. I tried so hard to pay but it wasn't happening. They even paid for my cab ride at the end of the night. I had so much fun my third day in Korea, that I know I'm going to have a great time here. I think I have a great job with cool bosses and co-teachers(only two days of training so far, so who knows if things change). Now, I've been told that I'm now the best racquetball player in the land of the moring calm, and that I'll be winning a lot of prize money.
I don't think I've ever written so much, sorry.

[cisco kid]

You're not allowed to have fun in Korea and post feel good stories here. This site is only for critization of Korea and all things Korean. Shape up, or ship out mister.

[ajgeddes]

Cool story, glad you're having a good time.

[Stormy]

Awesome, you've made heaps of friends and the cutest racquetplaying girl in Korea is in love with you?! You my friend are a fast worker!

[raketbaler]

[raketbaler]

[travelingfool]

Raketbaler,

Out of curiosity, what level are you? (i.e., open, A, B, etc?)

I was a solid tournament B at one time, but that was a long time ago. I am a lefty which always seemed to mess people up. I used to play in shootouts about once a week here in southern California. Unfortunately, racquetball has pretty much gone extinct around here:(

Great story. I wish I would have known about that place when I was in Korea.

[raketbaler]