Well, we've had our first visitors survive the trip/trek/journey to South Korea. My parents flew in on November 3rd and flew out on the 11th. We had such a fun time with them here! It's funny how you don't realized just how much you've learned and grown until you have to show someone around a giant city and navigate it for them. T.G. and I have managed to learn how to survive in this huge metropolitan area for over three months now and I have to say that we are doing very well for ourselves!
A huge applaud should go to my parents for being the first 'guinea pigs' to join us in this crazy tour! They were courageous in trying new foods, hopping on subways and dodging scooters on the sidewalks. They were game for whatever came our way and that says a lot!
On our first full day, we took a tour called "Seoul Historic Sights". This included visiting the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, the Gyeongbok Palace, the National Folk Museum, the Blue House (like our White House, but blue…) and a major amethyst dealer in Seoul. The tour was very nice and a great way to introduce my parents to Seoul and the complexity of the city. We were driven by bus to each stop, visiting historic and beautiful sights, all while remaining in downtown Seoul. It was pretty incredible!
Day two consisted of going on a scavenger hunt for brunch in Itaewon, somewhat unsuccessfully, since the place I had planned was not open on a Tuesday morning for some reason…so again, the adventure continued while we tried a few different coffee shops for sustenance before I had to go to my Korean language class. While I was there, T.G., Bob and my Mom toured around Itaewon and managed to find my Mom some awesome boots! I was a bit jealous, but that will all be made up later, I assure you. That afternoon, the ladies and gentlemen parted ways.
The boys went on a manly adventure to Noryangin Fish Market and finished the day with, what were said to be, 'delicious winnings cooked by Bob'. They cooked up octopus, clams and some 'questionable, clear-eyed fish. I'll let the pictures do the talking.
We ladies, to include my Mom, myself, my friends Julie and Nicolle, went on a shopping adventure in Dondaemun! Specifically we went to the seven story monstrosity of a 'mall' called Doota. We're talking six enormous floors, each organized by category, topped with a shopping-feuling food paradise on top! My sweet friend, Julie, who is from Seoul, drove us to the area, shopped with us all afternoon and then took us to a traditional Korean dinner. It was a fantastic day full of fun and friends!
Day three consisted of riding on the subway to Seoul Station and shopping at Lotte Mart. Since that is where we got Carmichael (and she and Bob were instant BFFs), we decided to go back and see if there was a friend for her. Unfortunately, all available would have been little boyfriends for sweet Carmy, so I had to pass on that idea. Luckily, my Mom and I made up for the lack of companionship in stocking up on plenty of other fun finds! After that, we had a low-key rest of the day, which included my Mom and I taking a nice walk around Ichon-dong.
Day four was the big DMZ day. T.G. escorted my parents to the north part of South Korea to see the DMZ, JSA and 3rd Tunnel. For those of you who know Bob, you know he was very exited to learn and see the history in store. I was unable to join the tour due to my Korean class, so I stayed behind in Seoul while the others when to learn about Korea's historic divide. Upon return, my Mom was in awe of the sadness and amazing differences she learned about North and South Korea. Bob returned with his hat full of knowledge that will undoubtedly fuel more research and learning in his near future. Surprisingly, everyone was up for a fun dinner at The Navy Club (on-post), followed by the "Seoul Lantern Festival" that happens every November. These lanterns and lights were an amazing sights and I'm so proud of my parents and husband for taking that event on after the huge day up at the DMZ. Everyone was in great spirits and excited to see the sights.
(My Mom's camera was used for all of the pictures of the day…)
Day five started off with lounging in the morning, followed by a delicious 10 course meal at SamcheongGak. This luncheon was specially organized and facilitated by my friend Julie. She was so proud to share this cultural experience with my family that we also invited our dear friends, Nicolle and Jacob to join us. Two hours and ten courses later, we strolled around Samcheong Park and took in all the fall colors and scenery. That evening we picked up Mr. Pizza, T.G. and my favorite pizza take-out near our house and stayed in with our friends. It was a really beautiful fall day!
Day six I took my parents on an excursion to Namdaemoon Market. A lot of people do not understand the chaos that is, Namaemoon Market, especially on a Saturday, but my dear parents got the experience it at it's best and in the cool rain! To no one's surprise, my Mom and I made a huge dent in our Christmas shopping lists and even managed to make a few fun purchases for our selves. Bob enjoyed looking at various hats and street foods. He even found our lunch restaurant down one of the food alleys, where wet enjoyed yummy, freshly-made Korean food! I even got to try out some of the Korean I have been working to learn! That evening we were all so tired from the full and busy week and crazy shopping day that we stayed in and played Farkle. Nice quality time!
Day seven we loaded up the Kooridoor tour bus to discover what Danyang had to offer. As it turns out, it is a really beautiful place to visit and get out of the city. I don't think we could have chosen a better time of year to visit this area of South Korea.
While it was a very chilly day, the fall leaves where amazing shades of gold, rust and fiery red! Being in the 'country-side' really showed us all what beautiful and mountainous area South Korea holds. My Mom even managed to make it through Gosu Caves!
Several of my native Korean friends had no idea where or what Danyang was, but I am so glad we took this tour! We all throughoughly enjoyed this full day! On our way back into Seoul, which was a four hour bus ride due to traffic, we decided to have an easy dinner at Fresh Burger and come home so my parents to pack in preparation for going home the following day. I sure am glad we visited Fresh Burger while we could…it is now out of business, just a few days after we ate there. Darn!
On Monday, we took Mom and Bob to catch the bus from The Dragon Hill Lodge to the airport. I'm happy to report they are home safely and their return was as uneventful as when them came over.
It was so much fun to show this amazingly overwhelming city off to my parents. I can't wait until our next guests come and we are even more comfortable here to show it all off!
P.S. Mom, please feel free to add any comments about things I may have missed…it was a lot to cover!! You guys were real troopers!!
