...This trip to Seoul started almost before I left. The taxi that picked us up from the office was nothing more than a Korean man with a minivan. There was no light on top or meter running in the front seat. I'm not sure why we needed some back-alley driver to take us, but my Korean boss had arranged it, so I didn't fret to argue. The cost is pretty much the same as hiring a Chicago cab. Maybe we do this for reliability or maybe he's just supporting the local Koreans. In any event, I was riding to O'Hare with two Koreans; already a minority before we took off. I was traveling with a large black case full of Styrofoam models. And I do mean large; too big to fit in any trunk. I can only imagine what some people at the airport might have thought was inside....

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