Korea Goes Green

I figured that Saint Patrick's Day would be moderately low-key here. I'd find a bar, have a few Guinnesses and enjoy Irish music on my computer. Little did I know, there is an "Irish Association of Korea." This is one of the most homogenous nations on the planet...and there is a friggin "Irish Association of Korea." Anyway...I discover that there is an Irish festival planned for Saturday in one of the regions of Seoul. I head down there with Byrne and Freshman and Christine (Hyunae). Again, I figure it's going to be low-key and uneventful.

We get there right in time for the parade...which was one of the most hysterical things I've ever seen. Imagine about 2000 drunk Koreans, celebrating a holiday that 90% of them do not understand. They are all sporting their green shirts and Guinness hats (I'm pretty sure Guinness sponsored the entire thing). There was a guy dressed as a bright green dragon (east meets west), and about 40 small boys inexplicably dressed in drag. There were at least 2 marching bands, a dancing mug of Guinness and a Guinness float. This was actually the first Saint Patrick's Day parade I've ever attended...and it's in Korea.

Moreover...no open container laws here, so Mike, Pat and I are walking around, slamming beers, and in complete disbelief that we're in Korea...and there are several thousand people celebrating St. Patty's. On stage, there was a band, comprised completely of Korean people, fresh off a tour of Ireland, where they were playing Irish music. Imagine hearing "Whiskey in the Jar" wrap up and the band thanking the crowd with "Kam sa ham needa."

However, the greatest of all...was the line...of free Guinness and Irish stew. Now...the stew was nothing to write home about (isn't that the case for Irish food? Just boil it until it's edible?), but as someone who wishes it rained Guinness, there is nothing better than free Guinness. We'd get our beer...eat our stew...get back in line. Get a beer, eat some stew...back in line. All to the tune of five Koreans playing pretty good Irish music.

Pictures are up.