In a recent study, it was determined that South Korea is the safest country in the world.

I have not even seen the whole world yet, but I could have easily told you this before the study came out.

I walk down the streets at night here, and I feel safe.

You see a guy passed out in a doorway in his suit with his briefcase, and no one messes with him.

Stores leave stuff outside overnight.

And I don’t know how they are doing it yet (if I get to the bottom of it I will let you know) but I know it’s not the cops. The cops here are like High School kids with about as much authority, and though I once had one politely ask me to go elsewhere, at the time I was drinking with some friends in a restricted area of the fortress (the view is great from there.)

I know in the US the cops scared me. I am from Arizona, so we all fear Sheriff Joe because we are brown and he hates brown people. I am Native American, but have been stopped and held against my will until they could “verify my citizenship.”

Not just the cops though.

The US in general scared me.

Other guys on the street could be robbers. I felt like I had to keep my wits about me. I carried a gun (legally). I felt threatened a lot. I felt in danger a lot. I got beat up a few times.

But here?

Here I feel safe.

Again, not sure how they are doing it, but it is sure nice to not be afraid all the time.