About 5 minutes after we arrived, the doorbell rang. Through a security box on the wall we could see who was at the door. It was the police!! The owner quickly asked us not to talk, and not to answer the door. He started to shake. Uh oh! What is this all about?
Here is the conversation that ensued:
Owner: "Ssshhh! Don't talk! Don't answer the door!"
Us: "Why?"
Owner: "It's the police!"
Us: "Okay. But why are we hiding from the police?"
Owner: (Starting to shake) "They are looking for us."
Us: (John wonders now if the man is a bad guy) "Looking for us? Why?"
Owner: "They are looking for Airbnb rentals."
Us: "Oh, they are looking for you. Why? Is it illegal to rent your home out using Airbnb?"
Owner: "No, but you have to register with the government. I didn't. This month they are looking for Airbnb renters. I thought we would just be careful."
Us: "I see. You didn't think to tell us that? "(So now they know we are here as renters because of the very helpful undercover cop we met in the lobby.)
Owner: "We have to get our story straight."
Us: "What story is that?"
Owner: "If they come back, tell them we are friends and that we met while I was visiting in America and that you are just staying here in my home."
Us: "Uh....that is lying. We can't lie to the police."
Owner: "You have to! If you don't, they will fine me $2,700.USD"
Us: "Sorry, we won't lie to the police. Right now, they are looking for you. If we lie, then they will be after us."
Owner: (Still shaking and now sweating) "What are we going to do?"
Us: "You are going to give us back our money and we are going to leave."
After 15 minutes of making phone calls to his wife and friends he decided that was best.
I hurriedly found a hotel using his wifi while he made a dash for the money and we bugged out of there. I can say, I have never experienced anything like that before. When we returned home to China, I sent a message to the Airbnb people informing them of our predicament in Seoul. I immediately got a response. They apologized and offered to reimburse us for the extra expense of the hotel and laundry bill. That was a nice surprise. I wrote the Owner one final note. "You shouldn't include other people in your illegal activities!"
So that was our beginning of our days in Seoul. I can say, it got better after that. On my next blog I will share a few pictures.
So stay tuned! Same time! Same station! (You have to be old to remember that line.)
Love and hugs.....Cindy