No More California

Korea has been a little bit of a struggle for me this past month and a half--I'm not going to lie. I'm not sure why I have been in this funk, but I've stayed in it longer than I've cared to. I definitely have a respite from my day that has become almost necessary for me: the gym. It has been the place I can be myself and in a culture I know. I have gone nearly every day for a LONG time and have met lots of new friends during my workouts there. Well, today I was hit with a cold, harsh reality: California Wow has gone bankrupt and is closed. They have taken the cash, closed the doors and disappeared. Police, angry crowds and bewildered staff stood around as I arrived at the gym to see this:


I guess this is something that happens now and again in Korea. The owner has more money going out than coming in (which is interesting because the gym has been extremely crowded the past two weeks, and just yesterday, I saw people signing contracts and handing over their credit cards). I guess when this kind of thing happens, it is common for it to go down quietly to reduce shame and save face.


Needless to say, it is quite a shock for me. I have lost 5 months worth of membership money (which I prepaid back in September), but more importantly, I have lost the thing which has kept me grounded here in Korea lately. No more California Wow. I am determined to keep training for my 10K and 1/2 marathon, but am not sure where or how. What a bummer.

Update 4/15: I've started checking around for new gyms, but the prognosis doesn't look good. The best price a gym could give me for a 3 month membership was $450! Unbelievable! This is such a bummer for me and I am really mourning the closing of this gym--I sound like I am overreacting, but really, a gym membership has always been non-negotiable for me as it is my favorite way to release stress. There is no place for me to exercise: the air is toxic outside at the moment due to the yellow dust that is blowing in from China. Help!!!!