More Questions from the Forums

See the previous post for an explanation of why I have quotes.

you must tell us how the entire country shuts down when Starcraft 2 launches.

-j0e

I just hope I'm here when it happens. If blizzard gets their act together and puts it out I'd love it here. Work will stop. It'll cause the highest rate of absenteeism schools have ever seen. I am going to try and go to the Blizzcon that they have here. I don't remember what the dates are, but I would gladly go just for the grab bag that they give you.

I'm living in South Korea now. It's just called SUV in Ames though.

-rempefiesta

I don't get it.

Brandon, thanks for your fast response. I guess MY love of Japan led me to believe that everyone loves those girls dressed in school girl costumes (and are japanese). Guess I was wrong.
This is sort of a weird question BUT in the "black market" type areas (if such things exist) or even in the rural markets that sell live food, have you ever come across anything exotic? I'm talking animal wise. I know this is asking a lot, BUT I'm wondering if anything that "shouldn't" be sold or is highly prized here, is sold there. Just curious.

-jahee

Just remember that those are all school girls. They have the uniforms here too. I admit the students are really cute. They're really silly a lot of the time. It's odd, but the smallest boys are often the naughtiest and have the most energy.

The black market is different over here. While it's the same as any other country and has illegal wares, it has it's own flavor. Example, I've been looking for limes while over here for Gin and Tonics. I had one coteacher call every 8 story department store in the city looking for them and no one has them. I asked my students and they all shouted "Lemon!" I'm to the point where I'm going to buy a lime tree and grow them myself.

But anyway, she mentioned that I should try and buy them on the black market. Lots of western and international goods are sold on it. I know where the district is. It's a 15 minute bus ride away from me and it's called, "International Market."

But you asked about animals. I know of a couple giant fresh seafood markets. They keep all the critters alive or on ice. The living ones make their homes in laundry tubs or giant aquatic serving platters. Think a large fish tank overflowing with critters, the fish laying on their sides, or half out of water just gasping for scratching room. Everything seems standard. I don't know the names of all the fish, but I can't say that I've seen anything illegal. It's the standard tuna, squid, mackerel, black and striped fish, flounder, oysters, conchs, escaped octopus wriggling on the floor, weird red fish, shrimp, and the occasional shark. Live octopus is a delicacy and I saw a dog soup restaurant the other day. How did I know? It had a picture of a dog on the store window and they had a small cage full of dogs inside. They don't eat any dog, only mangy yellow ones. It's a specific breed. They get rather offended if you ask if they'd eat Benji or Lassie.

That fish market is a big touristy place though. I've seen a couple of pet stores that traffic in the standard parrots, hedgehogs, hamsters, and fish. People sell dogs and cats on the streets though. The only dogs they have here are little yappy dogs. Nothing bigger than a purse, well, except for the eatin' dogs. I have seen several rare and expensive lizards and chameleons that might be illegal in the states. I desperately want one, but I don't know how to take care of it if I go on vacation. I thought about fish though, because they seem more durable to starvation. I'll be on the look out for shady districts that traffic in monkeys and polar bears though. It would be so cool to ride a tiger to work everyday. I'd be better than He-Man since his shows were never educational despite what you may think about learning to handle a blade.