Free Hugs & a Murder.


Free Hugs Mokpo

On Saturday we organized a day of free hugs to anyone walking the streets of Mokpo. Free Hugs is a world wide phenomonon started in Sydney by a man only known as "Juan Mann" (pronounced One Man). He didn't got out to be famous or even to make something world wide, but after a friend posted what he is doing on the internet, people started to take notice. To learn more, check out Free Hugs.

So at 1pm I headed to the meeting point and was a little concerned that no one would show. My reason for the concern? Well, the heavy snow hitting my windscreen was one factor... & the lack of people out in that snow another.

Sure enough, when I arrived at the sea side boardwalk, only one of my friends and two students were there. She had just sat through a rainstorm and was soaked and very peeved off. But after a phone call, we found out everyone was at the trainstation instead.

We headed over there and all gathered together ready to go hugging. But a few people wanted coffee & I was waiting for some of my school kids (who didn't end up making it. Such a shame, it was a great day in the end.) When I headed back to the others, they were all sitting in a bakery and mumbling doubts about wether to go ahead with the hugs day. I was in too good a mood to let a little bit of bad weather get me down. In fact, coming from Australia, I still get very excited about snow. I'm like a little kid in it. So I simply said, "I'm going to get some hugs." And walked out.

It turned out to be a good idea. The others followed and for the next three hours or so, we stook out in the snow being warmed by shy, but happy Koreans giving us hugs.



The majority of people willing to hug us were the kids hanging out in the streets. They seemed to think a bunch of Waygook (foreigners) giving out hugs was a very funny think, so they hung around getting hugs off everyone.




But we also had old people, little babies... and even one soldier! It was a wonderful day and I thank Crista and Nancy for organizing it.

Maura's Murder Mystery

After the Hugs, it was time to go celebrate Maura's birthday. The lovely and wonderful Crystal and Mary had worked hard to set up a Murder Mystery party set in a "Juice Joint" of the 1920's. Everyone went all out on costumes and did a great job of staying in roll all night.

Now I was sure I had the murderer figured out before I arrived... but then I found out there was no candle stick, no library.... & they didn't even have a Butler!
Back to square one!

So the basic story....


An Evening of Murder, Mayhem & the Mob

With the passing of prohibition and organized crime on the rise, The Juice Joint, a swanky speakeasy run by Rosie Marie, has been nothing but jumping. To celebrate its success, Rosie is planning a party to remember at the exclusive nightspot… and you are invited!
However, one of the names on the guest list is also on another’s hit list…and no one is safe from the consequences.
With the murder on the menu, you are certain to find a medley of individuals to make thenight most memorable. From the major mobsters and their molls to the swanky singer with her hopes at Hollywood. The cigarette girl with a temper that sizzles to the crooked police chief withnothing to lose—no one is safe from murder…but everyone will have a chance at solving it. Will the culprit be the Mayor who is capable of murder? The blacklisted bootlegger desperateto increase his sales? Or possibly the director with a shot at making history?

For this particular night, I was Hal Hollywood, movie producer extraordinaire! From Dolls & Dames, to Stars & Fame, Hal's the Name!

Now as a movie producer who was on the look-out for the leading role of the first talking movie, I was ready to do some wheelin' & dealin' to make some money and cast the perfect dame.



Unfortunately Natorious Nic, Mob leader of the North Side, had his own ideas about who should be leading lady & I was stuck with his gal, Molly Moll.



Sure, she's a cutie, but in my mind she was no match for the talented Dina Diva.




But with the heavies breathing down my back, my hands were tied!



That was until someone put a couple of bullets in Nic & all of a sudden, I was free to choose!

Being the sly business fox I was, I was doing very well making money selling info, when I didn't have any info to be selling. It's amazing what people will spend for just a whiff of a hint of a rumour. I was up thousands... but little did I know, some of the people I was swindling, were pick-pocketing it straight back.



Imagine! Being paid with my own hard earned bribe money? What's a good (dis?)honest movie producer to do?

In the end, I was so busy giving people false info that I forgot to look for the murderer myself. Turns out it was the shifty Police Chief Carl!



Who would have thought?