Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a shoemaker in Yonmu is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I hit up the local market on Gyeongju-ro. You know, the one with all the food stalls? I’m just tryna grab some breakfast, maybe a hotteok or two. But nah, the line is like a mile long! I’m standing there, stomach growling like a bear, and this lady in front of me is takin’ her sweet time. Like, c’mon lady, it’s just pancakes!
Finally, I get my hotteok, and it’s glorious. Sweet, gooey, and warm. I’m in heaven. But then, BAM! I spill syrup all over my apron. Great. Just great. Now I look like a walking dessert.
So, I head back to my shop on Jeongja-dong. It’s a cozy little place, you know? I’ve got my tools, leather scraps everywhere, and the smell of fresh glue. But today, my first customer walks in, and he’s a total piece of work. Dude’s got these old, beat-up sneakers. I mean, they’re practically falling apart. He’s like, “Can you fix these?” I’m like, “Bro, these are beyond saving.” But I can’t say that, so I just nod and take his money.
While I’m working on those sad shoes, I hear this commotion outside. I peek out, and there’s a street performer on the corner of Dongbu-ro. This guy’s juggling flaming torches! I’m like, “What the heck?!” People are gathered around, cheering him on. I’m half tempted to join, but then I remember I’m a shoemaker, not a circus act.
After a while, I finish the sneakers. They look... okay, I guess. The guy comes back, and he’s all smiles. I’m like, “Dude, you’re gonna regret this.” But he pays me and walks out like he just won the lottery. Whatever, man.
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Min-ho drops by. He’s always got some wild story. Today, he tells me about this hidden café on Seongdong-gil. Apparently, they serve the best coffee in Yonmu. I’m like, “Dude, let’s go!” So, we ditch the shop for a bit.
We find the café, and it’s this tiny hole-in-the-wall place. The barista is this cool dude with tattoos and piercings. He brews us some coffee that’s like liquid gold. I’m buzzin’ after one sip. We sit outside, and I’m just soaking in the vibe. The streets are alive, people are laughing, and I’m thinking, “This is what life’s about.”
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring! I mean, like, monsoon level rain. We scramble inside, and I’m soaked. My shoes are squishing, and I’m like, “Great, now I’m a soggy shoemaker.”
After the rain calms down, we head back to the shop. I’m feeling good, though. I’ve got my coffee buzz, and I’m ready to tackle whatever comes next. But then, I see it. A huge crack in the wall of my shop! I’m like, “Are you kidding me?!” I can’t catch a break today.
So, I spend the rest of the day patching up the wall, cursing under my breath. But then, as I’m cleaning up, I find a little note tucked in the corner. It’s from a kid who came in last week. He wrote, “Thanks for fixing my shoes! You’re the best!” And I’m like, “Aww, that’s kinda sweet.”
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted but happy. Yonmu’s wild, man. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, but it’s home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a shoemaker, right?