Up and out early again to make my way down to Geksa, the downtown area of Jeonju. I had been to the movies once, with one of my adult students, but wasn't sure I remembered the "process". There is a small place, about 5 minutes from the actual theater, where a person can get a ticket, and then shop or eat or whatever until closer to the time of the movie. When I arrived, it wasn't open, so I went to the theater itself. This time I was able to see that the theater is huge in a "going up" kind of way. I have said many times that in Korea, buildings go up and not out. There were people already there for an earlier movie, but not a long line. There are no ticket lines outside. Instead, you enter and go up on an escalator (only wide enough for one person) or elevator. The ticket ladies are on the second floor, just as before, with their patron computer screens. These are the screens on which you choose the seat you want inside your theater. Just as crazy to me this time as it was the first.
According to my screen, only 3 people had already picked their seats, on the row that I wanted. So, I touched the screen and "F7" was mine. I was given a ticket with only Korean written on it, so I wrote the info for my failing memory, because if you are sitting in the wrong seat, you are asked to move. I had time to spare, so you can see that I took some pictures.
The top picture is of the concession area, with low, cushy seats in front. These seats are found throughout this floor, as people who are early sit in this area with their food and watch movie previews or music videos on screens. I sat in an area off to the side and read "Harry" until it was time to get popcorn and go to "Evan Almighty". When I got my ticket, the lady gave me a flattened box for free popcorn from a communal bin, but this time, I thought I would "live large" and to my surprise found that they sold a combination of caramel(check that spelling) and regular popcorn. So, with that and a Fanta in hand, I was off.....to the 8TH FLOOR!! No kidding!
I initially rode up the escalator to the next floor, only to be shown that I needed the 8th floor. So, up the elevator I went to a spacious lobby area, with no people and all theater entrances blocked off. So, I sat and waited and at exactly 10 minutes before the movie started, I was allowed in. Eventually people trickled in during that 10 minutes, almost everyone sitting on my row! The entire theater was almost empty, except for the row in which I was sitting. Again, if the late comers would have wanted to choose another seat, with more "elbow room",they showed no interest in it. They take this assigned seating really seriously.
After the movie, I walked into an area that I was not familiar, and found pork kabobs to take home for lunch. I also went to a large bookstore that had a limited amount of English books, but the grand discovery came when I was able to go to their lower level and find a little jewel someone had recommended. If there was the ultimate paper, books, "stuff", store in Jeonju, this was it! Bags, books, paper...you get the picture. Heaven and worth all the time I had taken to find it over these last several weeks.
Eventually, I came home and am glad for it. Weather continues to be extra warm, so water and my lunch were perfect! The bottom picture here is of my "Megabox" card for discounts and my flattened popcorn box. I have NO idea what this card does for me, but eventually it may reveal itself.
I am ready to meet the new week, of only two teaching days. Hope your week is good as well! Keep those cards and letters coming!!
