I planned another quest to find casino items at a flea market in Seoul, South Korea.
This certain flea market invites foreigners to sell their items so I thought it was a good opportunity for casino stuff.
I persuaded my wife to accompany me and we headed out the door early Saturday morning.

At the bus stop I saw our bus approaching so I turned to my wife and told her let's go.
I stepped off the curb and my right foot crumpled because I stepped onto uneven ground. I heard a "crunch" and felt pain.
I stood upright and pain shot up from my right ankle. I hobbled aboard the bus and my wife asked if I was okay. I said "No".

We got off the bus and I walked gingerly to the subway station entrance.

As I looked down the endless subway stairs I decided to sit down. I couldn't go on, I was in too much pain.

My wife said she was going to look for a doctor. After a few minutes she returned and pointed at a building across the street.
I hobbled to the doctor's office and went inside. The sign outside was in Korean so I didn't know what kind of doctor this was.
Upon entering I knew.
This was a doctor of Traditional Korean Medicine, in other words, Acupuncture.

I've never had acupuncture before, NEVER! I've always come up with a reason not to.
Whenever I had back pain my wife suggested acupuncture. I declined and said rest is all I need.
Whenever I had other ailments my wife would suggest acupuncture. I've always declined with an emphatic "No"!

My wife thought this was an ideal opportunity to introduce me to it. "Thanks", I muttered to her.
I have only myself to blame, I walked right into this one.

I was taken to a room for men only with three guys inside. They had numerous needles sticking out from all parts of their body.
It seemed like they were showing it off like trophies.
I thought, "What did I step into?" There's no escaping this one.
I was told to lay down and the doctor examined my right foot.
He got acupuncture needles ready, turned to me and in broken English said "acupuncture".
I replied, "Doc, it's my first time. Please be gentle".
He smiled (it looked more like a devil's grin) and went to work.

Jab, jab, jab. Poke, poke, poke. I felt very small needle pricks in my right foot.
Wow! This I can handle. Hey doc, is that your best shot? What was I so afraid of!
The doctor was done after inserting nine needles. He told me to relax for awhile and left.

I nonchalantly raised my right foot towards the other guys in the room to show off my new trophies.
All these years I've been avoiding acupuncture and it wasn't a big deal.
My chest expanded to twice it's size, not to mention my head!

After 20 minutes the doctor returned and removed the needles. He held a pen like instrument in his hand.
Here's a picture I got off the internet. It's similar to this:

He held the instrument against my right ankle and clicked the button.
Click, click, click and all of a sudden I felt real PAIN!

That instrument has a needle that shoots out, punctures the skin and retracts when the button is clicked.
I wanted to let out a bloodletting scream!
The thing is the doctor clicked that puncture pen over 50 times when I lost count, probably from almost passing out!
The pain was intense and my foot felt like it was on fire!
I was in the middle of praying for the doctor to stop when he did.
But, only for a few seconds, then the assault began again.
It went on for what seemed like forever when it stopped.

I unclenched my fists, relaxed my tightened body and slowly opened my eyes.
The doctor smiled at me and placed a suction cup over the needle pricks.
He began sucking the dark colored blood from my ankle.
Here's a picture I found that resembled the cup:

It was only one cup but I think you get the picture.

That 2nd procedure almost gave me a heart attack.
I didn't expect the vampire like treatment (called Cupping). I really thought I was only getting stuck with tiny needles.
The doctor placed a band-aid over the punctures and then a cold compress.
After 15 minutes I was free to go. I couldn't hobble out of there fast enough!

Well, it's been 8 days since I sprained my ankle and it's almost like new!
Acupuncture is amazing!
I highly recommend acupuncture for everyone (except for me).

I will be observing where I step from now on.

On my never ending quest, someday, hopefully, I will find casino stuff.