Man, what a day! I mean, seriously, Anseong really threw me for a loop today. I woke up thinking it’d be just another boring day as a Mourner, you know? But nah, life had other plans.
So, I’m chillin’ at my usual spot on Gyeonggi-daero, just minding my own business, when I get a call. It’s my buddy, Joon. He’s like, “Yo, you gotta come to the market!” I’m like, “Dude, I’m not in the mood for fish guts and crying babies.” But he insists. So, I grab my stuff and head over to Anseong’s traditional market, which is always a wild ride.
The smells hit me first. Fish, spices, and something that smells like burnt rubber? I dunno, but it’s Anseong, so whatever. I’m walking through the stalls, dodging old ladies with their carts, and I see this dude selling tteokbokki. I mean, come on, who can resist that? I grab a stick and chow down. Spicy, sweet, and just the right amount of chaos.
Then, outta nowhere, I hear this loud commotion. Turns out, some guy is yelling about a lost dog. Like, bro, it’s a dog, not a kid! But the way he’s going on, you’d think it was the end of the world. I can’t help but roll my eyes. I mean, it’s Anseong, there’s gotta be a million dogs running around.
But then, I see this little pup, all scruffy and sad, hiding behind a stall. My heart melts. I’m like, “Dude, I’ll help you find your dog.” So, I start looking around, asking people if they’ve seen it. I’m running up and down the streets, from Jeongok-dong to the back alleys near Anseong’s City Hall.
And let me tell you, I’m sweating like a pig. I’m thinking, “Why am I doing this? I’m a Mourner, not a dog detective!” But I can’t just leave the guy hanging. Finally, after what feels like forever, I spot the little furball near a food stall on Seongdong-ro. I’m like, “Yo, there you are!” I grab the pup and bring it back to the guy. He’s all teary-eyed, thanking me like I just saved his life.
I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, right? But then, I remember I gotta get back to work. So, I head over to the Anseong Memorial Park. It’s a beautiful place, but today, it feels heavy. I’m supposed to be mourning, but I can’t shake off the dog rescue high.
I sit down on a bench, trying to collect my thoughts. The cherry blossoms are blooming, and it’s kinda pretty, but I’m just not in the mood. I start thinking about life, death, and all that jazz. Like, why do we even mourn? Is it for the dead or for ourselves?
Suddenly, I hear this loud laugh. I look over, and it’s a group of kids playing tag. They’re running around, screaming, and just living their best lives. I can’t help but smile. It’s like they don’t even know what’s going on in the world.
But then, outta nowhere, one of them trips and falls. I’m like, “Oh no, here we go.” But instead of crying, the kid just gets up, brushes off the dirt, and keeps running. I’m cracking up. Kids are wild, man.
As the sun starts to set, I’m walking back home, thinking about the day. Anseong is a crazy place, full of surprises. One minute you’re eating tteokbokki, the next you’re saving a dog, and then you’re contemplating life in a park.
I get home, plop on my couch, and just laugh. What a day, right? I’m exhausted, but in a good way. Anseong, you never cease to amaze me.