Election time

On April 11, 2012, Korea will have a presidential election.

I think.

My knowledge of Korean politics extends just far enough to know what days I get to skip school because of them. Like Wednesday, Election day.

Despite my blatant apathy, I would know that Wednesday was Election Day even if I didn't have the day off.  The election campaign is in my face, on my building (like in the photo), even in my apartment.

For reals, y'all.

Every morning, some well meaning campaigner stands on a platform on the street with a microphone and a boombox that blasts victory music from Rocky.

Ok, it's not actually the music from Rocky.

But at 8AM on Saturday when I am trying allow my neurons to re-stitch themselves into pathways of piece and harmony that are usually thoroughly trampled by Friday, I'm not questioning my subconscious label of the ear splitting noise so much as jumping out of bed, fist bumping the sky, and weeping internally that the Rocky theme song is not one I can actually sleep through.

The noise never stops.

Trucks roll down the streets, straddled by women in pink polyester who apparently don't have day-jobs, shouting, "HeLLOOO Sangdong! Come out and VOTE!"

On the street, crowds of people in spiffy suits with banners across their chests stand outside of shops chorusing, "Hello! Vote for us!" and pushing packets of wet naps into my hands.

Yes, wet naps. Don't ask me why, I haven't the foggiest.

The campaigners are startlingly aggressive, considering that the majority foreigners in Korea can't vote...