Good bye, HQ.

It’s a story told over and over again. Foreigner moves to a new country, finds the local foreign bar, and thus finds their “home away from home.” Cliché Maybe, but HQ Bar in KSU, Busan, South Korea easily became my local watering hole several times a week.

My favorite girls and I visited every Wednesday for what we dubbed our “Hump Day Review,” to gossip and update each other on our daily happenings and who we were dating. I celebrated Hanukkah and Canada Day there, ignoring the fact that I am neither Jewish or Canadian. I gobbled down more Big Greasys and slurped up more Bloody Marys than I like to admit. I have no shame with the amount of Girl Scout Cookie shots I downed; I want more. I loved that every time I went, I saw old friends and easily made new ones.

Sure, there were “bad” times. Like making out with Johnny on the roof-top or the fact that the women’s bathroom never locked properly. Those “bad” times made hilarious stories that everyone could relate to though, as I wasn’t the only woman who had felt that strange sea-cucumber-esque tongue in her mouth or had exposed their ass to strangers in the HQ bathroom.

But, alas, all good things must end, and after four years, HQ has been sold. HQ will still be in existence in some form, and Andrew and Mutt are moving onto a new venture. I’m sad but not depressed. What was HQ really does carry special memories for me, and a special place in my heart.

On Saturday, May 4th, like many nights before, I stumbled up the steps to HQ. All the food was sold out, but the bottled beer was discounted, so Melissa and I drank while sitting at our familiar stoop.

Soon it was 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 5th. I knew I had to be getting home soon, so I took one last long look around the bar. I remember that someone mentioned that it was a holiday. I didn’t know if they meant Cinco de Mayo or Children’s Day. I laughed to myself. Korea has really become my new home, to the point where I think of this country’s holidays alongside holidays I’ve celebrated my whole life.

I thank HQ (i.e. Mutt, Andrew, and all the friends made there) for helping me get to this point in my life. I am happier than I could have ever imagined. Thank you. Much love. And much hope for more good times.