I am calling from the CDC.

If you have had the chance to be out of the country recently and returned, you probably would have received a phone call from none other than the CDC. I have a theory that you will probably only be called if you have been to a country that has recorded high cases of the H1N1 influenza.

My experience goes a little something like this. A few days after I came back from Sydney, I was manouvering my overflowing trolley to the cashier at Costco and my phone rang. Not the best timing but I had been ignoring several calls from numbers I don't recognise and figured that this person was persistent... could be important.

Caller: Yoboseyo. <Followed by a string of Korean words that I did not understand>

Me: Hangukmal murumnida

Caller: I am calling from the CDC. (Me: CDC??? Center for Disease Control? Uh oh!) You have recently returned from Australia? (Me: Ooooh, nice sounding young man with good command of English)

Me: Yes.

Caller: Do you have any flu symptoms?

Me: No.

Caller: Are you sure?

Me: No cough or cold or runny nose.

Caller: Please monitor for the next week. If you have any flu symptoms please go to the nearest public health centre.

Me: Ok.

Caller: Goodbye.

Me: <Turns to M> **E! You are not going to believe who called me! CDC!!

Bring back those Chicken Wings, Mao!

I know it's been ages since I've posted. I put it down to being away for long periods and just pure laziness... and not much going on (bummer).

However, something has inspired me to add a post tonight. I had dinner at Mao's Chinese restaurant in Hannam-dong (in the small lane a stone's throw from the Grand Hyatt) and had been looking forward to having their Hong Kong Style Fried Chicken Wings with Black Bean (and chilli). However, when I got there I was told they don't have it. Not that they no longer have it but the don't have it. Making me look like some kind of psycho who insisted that they had it before. I ate it twice! I remember.

So after some interrogation with the waiter who spoke a smattering of English, I find out that they had changed their menu 3 months ago. Yes, it had been awhile since I went to Mao. I made 2 attempts in the past to go but they both got foiled. Once we went to Ho Lee Chow (Itaewon, Hamilton Hotel) instead and the other time it was too late.

Later, I discovered much to my disappointment, that not only did they change the menu they changed the chef too. The food just didn't taste the same. I ordered the Pork in Black Bean Sauce with Chinese Buns and it was too sweet. Tasted better the last time. Same with the Beef with Peppers. At least the latter's sweetness was not overpowering. We did try something new which was the Prawns in Sweet and Spicy sauce which was quite nice. But the bed of brocolli it was served on was rather raw.

I don't think I will go to Mao for awhile. If I am lucky, after some time they will bring back those yummy Hong Kong Style Friend Chicken Wings in Black Bean!