Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a baker in Naju is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up at the crack of dawn, right? Like, 4 AM kinda early. The sun’s barely peeking over the hills, and I’m already knee-deep in flour. Naju’s streets are still quiet, just me and the occasional stray cat chillin’ on the corner of Gwangju-ro.
I’m mixing dough, and my mind’s racing. I’m thinkin’ about the new recipe I wanna try. You know, the one with the sweet red bean paste? Yeah, that one. But then, boom! My mixer decides to throw a tantrum. It starts making this weird grinding noise. I’m like, “Seriously? Not today!” I’m already running late for the morning rush.
So, I’m wrestling with this mixer, and I spill flour everywhere. It’s like a snowstorm in my bakery. I’m covered in white powder, lookin’ like a ghost. I step outside for a breather, and the smell of fresh bread hits me. Naju’s air is something else, man. It’s got that mix of city life and nature. You can smell the green tea fields nearby.
I head down to the market on Jeongja-ro. It’s bustling! People are haggling over fresh veggies and fish. I grab some ingredients for my pastries. The ajummas are all about their business, and I’m just trying to dodge them like it’s a game of dodgeball. One lady nearly knocks me over with her cart. I’m like, “Whoa, lady! Chill!”
Finally, I get back to the shop, and it’s packed. I mean, like, standing-room-only packed. I’m trying to keep my cool, but inside, I’m like a pressure cooker. I start serving up my goodies, and people are loving the new red bean pastries. I’m feelin’ like a rockstar!
But then, outta nowhere, the power goes out. Just my luck, right? The lights flicker, and I’m standing there in the dark, surrounded by a bunch of confused customers. I’m like, “Great, now I’m a baker in a horror movie.” I grab my phone for light, and I’m trying to keep the vibe up. “Who wants a free pastry?” I shout. Everyone’s laughing, and I’m just trying to keep it together.
After what feels like forever, the power comes back. I’m back in business, but now I’m running behind. I’m sweating bullets, and my apron’s a mess. I’m racing against time, and my brain’s all over the place. I’m thinking about how I need to get my act together.
Then, I get a surprise visit from my buddy, Joon. He’s got this wild idea to take a break and hit up the Naju’s famous cherry blossom park. I’m like, “Dude, I can’t! I’m swamped!” But he’s persistent. “C’mon, man! You need a break!”
So, I finally give in. We head over to the park, and it’s stunning. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and it’s like a scene from a movie. I’m snapping pics like a tourist. Joon’s cracking jokes, and I’m laughing so hard I almost forget about the chaos back at the shop.
But then, I get a call. It’s my assistant, and she’s freaking out. “The customers are rioting!” she says. I’m like, “What?!” Turns out, they’re just impatient for their pastries. I rush back, and it’s a mad house. I’m juggling orders like a circus performer.
Finally, I get through the rush, and I collapse in the back. I’m exhausted but happy. I think about how crazy this day was. Naju’s streets, the market, the park—it’s all part of this wild ride. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another day in the life of a baker in Naju. Full of surprises, chaos, and a whole lotta flour. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!