Going in circles

"You must go outside, computer (or commuter, not sure which word she used). "   I was attempting to simply buy a bus ticket to GongJu to spend the day on this beautiful late summer Saturday.  Puzzled, I went outside to look for a small ticket booth that I must have missed seeing during these 4 years in Korea!  No such booth.  I then asked a Korean how to buy a ticket to GongJu.  I  even showed the brochure to her like I had done with the first ticket clerk.  She pointed back to the inside ticket windows.  This time I went back over to the regional ticket booth located at the other end of the station.  I had first gone there to look and did not see GongJu listed so made no attempt to buy a ticket.  This time I stayed in line and asked for a ticket to GongJu while faithfully showing my brochure in hand.  Again, I was pointed back to the other ticket booth.

Now I was frustrated, going in circles.  Let's see...what is that saying...if you keep doing the same thing over and over you get the same results.  So true.  I went to a man who seemed to be an official with a uniform on directing the heavy bus traffic in the area.  He directed me to the same ticket booth that I was told to go to before.
 
Like Sherlock Holmes, I stopped and studied the situation, without the pipe of course.  Something was amiss, but what?  There had to be a way to buy a ticket to GongJu.  I had been told buses are the only way to get there from Cheonan, and after almost 4 years of living in Cheonan, I was certain this was the only bus station in town.

I knew better than to keep repeating the circle. This was looking too much like the Groundhog Day movie.   It was only making me tired and frustrated.  I didn't really care now if I got to GongJu, but I was determined to find out how to buy that ticket.  It was too early to call my Korean tutor, so I was on my own for now.

Like Holmes, I determined to analyze where the problem began.  I needed a Watson, but had none at the moment.  The problem started with the first ticket agent. 

What if she was wrong?  What if she didn't understand?  What if she couldn't read the English brochure correctly and didn't understand my pronunciation?  Maybe I was on to something.  If that being the case, let's begin again, but somewhere else.  (I don't read Holmes for nothin'.  I just gotta go find his home and grave someday. You know, to pay respect.)  So, back to the adventure.  I started over.  Holmes says, "Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." 

I determined the first agent was impossible. There was no outside booth. There was no computer, or commuter. ( I could see Holmes nodding in approval at me.  I was getting excited!)  I decided to take my chances with another ticket agent, a man this time.  Usually, the women are better at English, but percentages can work against you.   I waited in line for my turn (are my hands sweaty?)  I had my brochure ready at hand.  I finally reached the agent and simply said, "GongJu."  Immediately, he proceeded to print a ticket and asked me for 5,000 won.  "What?  Are you kidding me?  Here!  Don't you even want to see the brochure I have been holding for half an hour just to show you? At least look at it!  Don't you want to ask me 3 times where I want to go?  Don't you want to send me someplace else?  Like outside, computer, or something?  Who are you anyway?  God?" 

Well, as you can see, my emotions got the best of me.  I don't think he read my thoughts!  And I don't think he reads my blogs.  I went out the door and found platform 16.  I asked the driver standing by the door, "GongJu?"  And I showed him my ticket just in case.  He nodded, "GongJu."  I boarded to take the last seat before the door closed. 

Sometimes, the adventure is in buying the ticket.  I now have a new appreciation for male agents!  Sorry, girls!  And, I now know I must start re-reading Holmes.  I never know when his inspiration and methods will get me out of a difficult situation.  Thank you, Holmes, wherever you are!  The Groundhog Day movie would never have been made if the writer had just read your methods.  I, for one, wasted so much energy by not following Holmes more quickly.  He would be proud!  Now where is that book....?