I am walking to work along a back street. I wear a sharp checked shirt under a V-necked sweater, and a dark jacket. I am wearing earphones connected to the rock-box in my pocket. I strike quite a figure.

I see a slender older fellow with a cane, a jacket, and a plaid fedora, coming towards me. He lifts his feet high, as though with each step he must pull them out of a thick muck. But nothing else about him suggests muck of any sort. He is happy and outgoing-- waving into store fronts and greeting passers-by. He doesn't depend on his cane, but wields it lightly, to emphasize his mood.

We are set on a collision course- not only are we walking in a straight line towards each other, but when my eyes meet his I feel a tingle across that back of my neck. Just then 'Eye of the Tiger' comes on my rock-box and I know that we are fated to battle. I pause slightly, the man keeps coming. I take a deep breath, and resume walking.

A cloud passes in front of the sun, and the world darkens noticeably. It seems overcome by an unnatural quiet. The world is taking a deep breath.

The man and I are only a few steps apart, and neither of us is moving aside. I take one more step and plant my foot, pulling back my arm so that I can put this to a quick end. The man keeps coming. His cane, in one hand, taps the ground as he tips his fedora at me with the other, hiding his eyes. Just then my rock-box skips, and Survivor's battle theme is replaced with John Lennon. I pause. The man looks up from under the brim of his fedora, and winks at me. He keeps walking straight, but brushes past me -- somehow I have taken a step to the side.

I guess that's Korea for you.