This week I hosted my second couchsurfer, Choony. She received her Master’s from Yale University earlier in the year, and is spending the subsequent months traveling around the United States. When not attending Ivy League schools, Choony works for an NGO (non-governmental organization) back in Seoul, South Korea.

We talked for about 4 hours the first night, mostly exchanging perspectives on cultural norms in our respective countries. I found the experience of hosting her to be very enlightening. On her second night, which coincided with my birthday, she offered to take me out to dinner as a “thank you.” I happened to have Washingtonian Magazine’s list of 100 best restaurants for 2007, and picked out #47 – Thai Square – which was only a few miles from my apartment (and quite a bargain).

I forgot my camera, so you’ll just have to picture our tasty meal:

• Tom Yum Koong – Shrimp and straw mushrooms simmered in a hot and sour lemon grass broth.
• Roasted Duck in Red Curry Sauce – Tender slices of roasted duck in spicy red curry with diced pineapple and basil leaves.
• Pad Thai – Thin noodles stir-fried with shrimp, chicken, ground roasted peanuts, scallions, and bean sprouts.

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