PORK BELLYS AND BATHROOMS ... ON JEJU ISLAND!

They say a picture's worth a thousand words ... and that's a good thing considering that most of the locals here on Jeju Island speak very little English. Instead, they resort to an elaborate system of hand gestures and symbols when it comes to communicating with foreigners. Take the restaurant I went to for dinner last night. Instead of the usual signs one would expect directing you to a restroom, here on Jeju they take a more pragmatic approach. To find the Men's Room, you just follow the signs that show a man urinating on the floor. Women, however, have a bigger challenge. They need to follow the signs showing a woman doing her business while crouched on the floor. As for the menu, there was no need for translation. This restaurant served only two items: "Fatty Black Pork Belly," barbecued at your table, and a "salad" consisting of scallions with hot peppers and onion juice. All I can say is, "Thank God for the directional signs." A lot of my colleagues found themselves running back and forth, again and again ...!