My wife asked about going to see the San Diego mural from my Oct. 18, 2023 post, so today we walked to the alley between El Cajon Blvd and Howard Ave. along 30th Street in North Park. She took first photos; I shot some refreshers.
From there we headed West along Howard towards Sprouts market to buy bananas and organic whole milk. The University Heights Public Library book sale room opens into the grocer’s parking lot—and it was open. So we ventured inside for a surprise.
For starters, a larger back area was open through a door that I have only ever seen closed. Perhaps access is a Saturday thing. Regardless, a world of wonders greeted us, compared to the more meager book selection I have perused on Sundays.
I could have shopped for hours, but we had other plans already in motion so shorter time had to suffice. While rummaging, I happened upon the foreign language section and a remarkably delightful find: The first five volumes of Talk to Me in Korean. I was familiar with the program, having purchased Level 1 on Oct. 23, 2022—$19.19 from Amazon (list price $24.99 then, $17.99 now). More recently, I had shifted to using another Hugeul course: How to Study Korean.
But physical books make learning easier, and both courses have strengths that are somewhat complimentary. But the question: How much? Annie hadn’t a clue, nor did I; neither of us had ever bought anything from the library. We wondered as we waited in line to check out. A friendly lady took the books, counted them, and said “Five dollars”. Oh my goodness, one buck a piece, and I coincidentally had an Abe Lincoln bill in my zipped shorts pocket.
Later, I used Leica Q2 to shoot the Featured Image. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/4, ISO 100, 1/30 sec, 28mm; 5:06 p.m. PDT. If the day ever comes that I complete all five books, more await; there are 10 levels.