Tuesday, June 05, 2007

South Korea Vs Holland

When Ben mentioned that Holland were playing a friendly against South Korea, we took the opportunity to do two things. One, see our first international football match, and two, to go and see the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

We went up to Seoul early, as Sam wanted to shop for her birthday present. So we went up to Itaewon and had a wander around the shops there. Jorge was already there, and Ben soon arrived. So we made them trawl from one jewelry shop to another, as Sam searched for a smoky topaz pendent that she'd set her heart on.

None of them had what she wanted, so we eventually found a place that would make up what she was after. So we put down a deposit, and arranged to pick it up the next Saturday. Job done, we shot over to Seoul Station for some food before the match.

Full tummies, we started to make our way to the part of Seoul where the stadium was. Ben wanted to stop off to get a smoothie, so we waited outside Seoul Station for him. There was some bible-bashers prancing around and playing a sax. I was sort of watching them, slightly phased-out, as I didn't see the trouble start.

When I'd focused I realised that there among them some guy was been given the beating of his life. Some bloke was stood over him, literally pounding his head into the pavement with his foot. This went on and on. No one stopped, no one even batted an eyelid. It was as if nothing was happening. We stood stunned. I've seen fights. After all I am from Hull. But this was vicious and unrelenting.

What did we do? Nothing! That's what. As a stranger in a strange land, there is a rule that you must stick to, despite your better instincts. Do not get involved in situations that do not concern you, particularly if the natives around you are not getting involved. That way you are more likely to stay alive. The guy wasn't dead as the other was pulled off him eventually. He seemed just about with us, though he must have had the most painful headache known to man.

Anyway, violence over we went to the football. We met up with John and Jo there. The match was okay, Holland won two-nil. The stadium is really nice, and so, so big! It was definitely an experience worth seeing.

After the football we met up with some more people. The other Ben and two of his friends. The rest of the night was spent drinking cheap beer, and singing rock songs at the top of our voices in a variety of Korean rock bars. Pretty good fun, it has to be said.

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