Mr Cab Driver

DC: Taxis are plentiful in Wonju and cheap enough that they're far too tempting. "We should get the bus, really. We need to get fit. Let's walk. Oh, there's a cab." Sure, it would be better if we knew the language so we could be more specific with the cab driver about our destinations (and to inform the boy racer who very nearly failed to bring us back from E-mart last night, after he was cut off at some lights by another cab, that he needed to chill and slow the heck down). But we have our home address detailed in Korea on a piece of paper in my wallet, and that ol' somewhat-humiliating-but-whaddya-gonna-do? tourist stand-by (y'know, like carrying a roll of toilet paper in yer back pack at all times) has helped a fair bit.
Cabs are easy to use, and can be flagged down on the street with a raised hand, even from a distance. Vacant cabs will frequently honk for your business as they approach, but if you're not interested - cuz you're on that health drive, of course - a shake of the head or a wave of the hand appears sufficient to send them on their way. The cars, all new or newish Korean-made saloons (I've seen one new VW Beetle and nice black Porsche Targa, but foreign motors seem to be a rarity), are clean and tidy, and they smell nice. And they have good-sized trunks, or boots, for your shopping. The driver will pop open the back often without the need to be asked. Mid ride, cabbies have so far not tried to engage us in conversation, nor we them. Boy racer terrorised us into silence last night. Our trips so far have been no longer than a couple of miles each and we've yet to pay more than 3,000 won - which today is exactly two U.S. dollars. Tipping, we hear, is pretty much frowned upon, officially. Still, coming from New York, it's a hard habit to break, and the guys - all men so far, no female cabbies, it seems - have appeared grateful for a 1,000 note, or any change we might have. "Kam sa hamnida!" Even a 100 won coin would probably be acceptable. We know they love us for it!