Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a ratcatcher in Hanam is like a rollercoaster ride, but without the safety bar. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s barely up, and I’m already thinkin’ about the rats. Ugh, those little furballs.
First stop, I hit up the alley off Gyeonggi-daero. You know, the one that smells like old kimchi and regret? Yeah, that one. I’m just mindin’ my own business, when BAM! A rat the size of a small dog darts past me. I swear, I almost dropped my trap. Like, dude, chill! I’m not here to start a rat wrestling league!
So, I chase this furry beast down the alley. I’m dodging trash cans, and I swear I saw a cat just chillin’ there, like it’s the king of the block. I’m like, “Yo, Mr. Cat, do your job!” But nah, he just looks at me like I’m the crazy one. Whatever, man.
Finally, I corner the rat near the Hanam Market. It’s packed with people, and I’m tryin’ to look all professional, but inside I’m like a kid on a sugar rush. I whip out my trap, and just as I’m about to catch it, this lady yells, “What are you doing?!”
I’m like, “Uh, just saving the world, one rat at a time!” But she’s not havin’ it. She’s all, “You can’t catch rats here!” I’m thinkin’, lady, this is literally my job. But I just smile and nod. Gotta keep the peace, right?
After that little fiasco, I head over to the Hanam City Hall area. It’s a bit quieter there, thank goodness. I’m just about to take a breather when I spot another rat. This one’s chillin’ by the fountain on Cheonggyecheon Stream. I mean, come on! Even the rats are livin’ the good life here!
I set my trap again, and guess what? This time, I actually catch it! I’m feelin’ like a champ, like I just won the rat Olympics or something. But then, outta nowhere, this kid runs up to me. He’s like, “Mister, can I see the rat?”
I’m like, “Uh, buddy, this ain’t a petting zoo.” But he’s persistent. So, I show him the rat, and he’s all wide-eyed. I can’t help but laugh. Kids, man. They see a rat and think it’s a puppy or something.
After that, I decide to grab some grub. I hit up this little joint on Jangsu-ro. Best tteokbokki in town, no joke. I’m chowing down, and I can’t help but think about how wild today’s been. I mean, who else can say they caught a rat, made a kid’s day, and ate the best spicy rice cakes all in one go?
But then, as I’m leaving, I step in something squishy. I look down, and it’s a pile of who-knows-what. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” I’m hopping around like a madman, trying to shake it off.
Finally, I make my way back to my truck, exhausted but happy. Hanam’s a wild place, man. Full of surprises, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I mean, where else can you have a day like this?
So yeah, that’s my life as a ratcatcher in Hanam. It’s messy, it’s crazy, but it’s mine. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.