The atlas lies before me creased and sheening in the waning afternoon light. I know my lady would greatly appreciate my assistance in plotting our course so I suggest the river that spans the territory of Seoul that we are to occupy. The reason for this sojourn is leisure. We shall spend most of our time lounging in the sun and partaking in many refreshments throughout the day. Splendid. My lady escorts me to my back carriage and surrounds me with the finest shrouds. Together we hail a chauffeur and convene with my lady’s new companion. Upon boarding our locomotive I feel peckish and beckon for a dainty. I am quickly bestowed a cylindrical mass that tastes of particle board. It will have to do. I ask for seconds.
The journey is lengthy, totaling three hours. While staring out the window the sun is reflected off massive edifices onto my visage. Since it is fine and warms my brow I stare longingly. Fellow travelers mull through the aisle and depart. They all have a peculiar smell so I decide it is in their best interest that I investigate. Prodding each and every one with my muzzle I detect a mosaic of aromas. I lean further from my seat toward the lavatory and promptly recognize the suggestion of excrement. The fusion of the fragrances emanating from the people and the scent from the loo is enthralling. If one could roll in air I would certainly entertain that idea. Occasionally a pleasant stranger will pat my head while some bizarre citizenry will recoil from my advances. Such a peculiar species.
We make our way to the underground rail system and through the streets of New York. Sit tight, where are we? Another great city. What a gaffe. The bodies crowd one another and push past my carriage. Unbeknownst to them I am perched within. I press my snout against the mesh and scoff. Upon entering our accommodations we are cordially ushered in and introduced to the other travelers. I wait patiently to be introduced while they exchange pleasantries. When I am finally presented we all get acquainted and take the customary self induced photography together. I meet a gentleman from Japan and Singapore as well as a lady from France. While my lady is out I interrogate them to ensure our safety. To win my approval they furnish me with tangerine bribes. I was excreting orange juice by the closing of the day.
Walking briskly down an alleyway in Hongdae I can smell the street vendors preparing delicacies. As we pass a man feverishly tending to his labor I find a morsel of which he has carelessly lost his grip. I kindly gather the disregarded rations. It is something untried by me: Ohdang, or fish cake. I am secretly optimistic that this man is consistently boorish. Further down the way I see a Golden Retriever and another dog similar in size but a great mass of unruly grey tendrils. I wish to be familiarized but our stroll takes us in another direction. We pass countless cafes and second skin shops.
The next two days pass effortlessly. I nap frequently with the Japanese gentlemen and sup when the rest of the guests do so. There is a knock at the door and the host shows two unfamiliar faces into our domicile. As I approach one of the patrons to give a warm reception I am hastily asked to take leave by the closest newcomer. Not understanding the unreasonable request I advance. The host beckons me to my lodging until my scheduled departure. The justification for the behavior was due to a superstition about my presence interfering with the visitor's rituals. Whatever pacifies you pleases me. I will vacate the following morning so the inconvenience is not worrisome. I only wish that we could find some collective purpose.
On the return trip I lounged in my carriage in an “Italian” restaurant. The repast smelled divine but it was too rich for my palate. Afterwards we waited for our train in a cafe. My heart cannot manage caffeine so I abstained from that as well. My next excursion to Seoul I hear that my Gandmama will call on us. What a pleasant reuniting that shall be. Perchance we will visit that river I suggested. Until then I will continue my studies. My current priority is learning to “shake a paw”. Perhaps someday I will comprehend that instruction in Korean.

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