Our first visitor...CHAD!

Last week we were so pleased to have our very first (and hopefully not our last) overseas visitor! Chad stopped by Seoul on the return leg of his Japan business trip. We really enjoyed taking him to some of our favorite spots and just hanging out! I know Chris enjoyed having a buddy to chat with. We did a bit of touring to Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the attached photo is from. Chris refers to this photo as "The 3 C's"....Chris, Chad, and Kwame...:-) I will attach other photos to the blog also. We also stopped by the Korean Folk (Fork, as they spell it)Museum where we really had a great time. We learned a lot about Korean culture, language development, interactive displays, history, handicrafts...very interesting! We happened to be touring with a posse' of French visitors...so that added to the experience..:-)

I will say this...in all honesty...Chad was such an easy house guest...no problems at all! :-) I inadvertently forgot to mention him in the previous blog where we initally found the cool pottery...Chad was with us when we first discovered them. I just wish I had taken a picture of Chad with his cool dragon head statue(Celadon)..it will definitely become a conversation piece in his Chicago home.....very cool. We had a great Italian dinner, plenty of tasty Korean food and lots of fun scouting around. I think it gave both of us a boost to have a friend visit and we look forward to next time!

Weekend Update...and more!

I just had to attach this photo from our Friday subway ride to Dongdaemun and a local flea market. The gals to Chris' left were a bit 'tipsy' and there simply wasn't room for me...:-) I was initially sitting beside Chris...doing my best to hold her up...but got tired of being whacked with her backpack and shoulder. Thankfully, she came to a 'semi-resting place' against the pole. This was around noon. Chris is carrying my "Hummingbird" backpack (a must) and giving the Korean peace sign. All he needed to do to complete this photo would be a slight head tilt. Most of the Koreans pose with peace and the head-tilt...standard. :-)

Our goal of the morning was returning to a previous spot for a few final Christmas gifts and a local birthday gift. One of his co-workers was having a surprise party...so we needed a clever/fun gift. The guy WAS driving a fancier vehicle...and now has a more basic car...with only a tape deck (Cassette not 8-track). Appears the guys at work have gotten a big kick out of the tape-deck and we just happened upon a virtual plethora of Billy Joel, Movie Themes, Korean Traditional songs, 70's music with Korean artists singing...you name it...they had it...and the whole lot for 2,000kw (2.00US). So, we had the birthday gift completed! We also found several shops with all of the Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Porter Wagoner LP's you could possibly want. After browsing around, we happened upon a "Music Festival" in Itaewon. The stage and lighting were quite impressive....then the band came on stage. Honestly, I initially thought the Korean band was singing along with a music track...they sounded JUST like Black Sabbath, Journey (seriously), Judas Priest, and Survivor...yes...'Eye of the Tiger'....the guitar player had long/straight hair to his hips...and could flip it just like you would expect a 'rock band lead guitar player' to flip his hair! :-) I took a few pictures and will post. The only injury in all the excitement.... I tripped over a fire hydrant. The group following the 'rock show' ... about 20 little Korean kids dancing to traditional music...quite a variety in acts. There were several foreigners (and Koreans) watching the concert and when he started singing the first of two Journey songs...everyone was looking around with amazed expressions like "I can't believe it!"

Since I mentioned music in this post. I must name a few songs/groups that we have heard around Seoul...just in random locations. Elvis is popular year-round...especially the Christmas album(many coffee shops), The Babys -Anthology (several restaurants), Beatles (with traditional Korean instruments only), Neil Sedaka, Little River Band, Johnny Cash, Tom Jones, Carpenters, 80's groups (Journey, Survivor, Foreigner, Tesla, Whitesnake etc.). Also, various techno music with many posters around the city advertising DJ's that are traveling to the area from around the world....we aren't really part of that crowd...mostly the college kids. The Koreans pride themselves on their musical abilities and education...many classically trained musicians here...top notch.

Today was another class of "Shopper's Delight"...so we traveled via subway to a 'Curio' area. It was interesting...and I felt much better about getting around town since our nice instructor became a bit 'turned-around'....so I'm not the only one! :-) Most of the gals are really nice and there are always a few good laughs. After browsing around, Joanna and I returned to the subway and went to Insadong for some great Bibimbap. Chris had located this place previously from the "Lonely Planet" book and we really enjoyed it...many traditional Korean decorations. After lunch we checked out some pottery that Chris and I had fallen in love with on another browsing visit. We felt another good set of eyes was needed to check out the pieces. They really are spectacular and unique! After some negotiating and a 'little' Korean spoken....we settled on the price. Joanna stayed for the bargaining (or attempt), receipt writing (in Korean) and loading of the items into his car...then...he delivered the items home...and ME! Guiding the shop owner and his helper through Seoul was pretty interesting....and we arrived with no problems! He spoke mostly Korean and I could make out a bit of his conversation with his buddy...Soju/drinks after the delivery! They asked me questions about Kentucky and Michigan....it was actually a lot of fun. Once we arrived...they took pains to place the pieces in the optimal positions....very nice fellows. He said he will find a stand and bring it over also...he was very proud of his pieces...and we love them too! He also said (and I quote) "You need to decorate really bad!"....:-)

Tuesday Shopping Extravaganza!

Today is Wednesday and I must say...it's been a really good week so far! Last week was a bit challenging (sometimes for no really good reason) but this week has been on the upswing! Maybe it was the great shopping day with Bev and Joanna in Damdaemun. We met at the Hangangin Subway station 8:30am yesterday (walking distance from where we live) and took the subway to meet Joanna. It was a gorgeous day, breezy, and crisp...to us it felt great...to many of the Koreans it meant: Hat, gloves, scarf, winter jacket, layered clothing and possibly a face mask. We were wearing short sleeves. One of the nice Korean ladies touched my arm while we checked out her stand...and in Korean said something like "Too cold...you need a jacket" We bought some clever gift bags from her stand...a huge stack for 8,000kw (about 8 US). I tried to take mental notes of landmarks so I could return on my own if Bev/Joanna were globe trotting and not able to come next time....:-) Bev directed us to one of her favorite stands and we shopped for some Christmas gifts....excellent shopping! The photo with this entry is one of our 'finds' of the day. It's rabbit, fully lined, nice leather handles/hardware and fun...we thought it looked a 'bit' like a Hermes'...they reminded me that if you find it...and you want it...better get it while you can...we may never find this place again! :-) Maybe it will be a gift for someone who doesn't read my blog... The gals were so patient while I debated various items (for presents of course!) to purchase. They even helped carry my load AND offered to be a temporary bank if I needed it...now that's a true buddy!! :-) After shopping and trying to absorb it all...we caught a taxi and headed to a "Jewelry Party" being thrown by one of their British friends. She really had a beautiful home and spectacular view. On a side note...we had initially looked at a place about 5 houses from this one...but the steep hill/challenging access was a deciding factor for us to live where we do...and we really like it here. If you had a driver you could live pretty much anywhere...but if not...just carrying a few bags of groceries up that hill would be a challenge. The gal having the party designs the items ...and there were some really unique and interesting pieces. Everything was priced in 'Pounds'...but I think she would accept Korean Won also. After my shopping trip from the morning...I cooled my heels and did not make a purchase...just enjoyed looking. She has a really nice 'helper'...not sure where she is from...but SO nice and sweet. She brought me a coffee and said "Here you go mum"....so sweet.

It really was fun...we said our goodbyes and hiked down the hill (we were hoping the gal would let us catch a ride with her driver...since we had all of our shopping bags..no luck). Bev had to run to a SIWA class(she's making her OWN jewelry) and Joanna was off to her part of town...I headed to the post-office to mail our election ballots! The nice girls at the Post-office greeted me and were really interested in the envelopes for the ballots. One of them pointed to the Eagle on the front and said "American President Voting?"...I said yes....then we spoke a little bit of Korean...I eventually ran out of things to say...then we all smiled/bowed/waved good-bye. Just for regular days about town...I get the biggest kick out of visiting the local Post-office and the Turkish Kabob place (you knew I wouldn't leave them out of this blog entry!) haha.

Asian Flowers II

Last Wednesday was our second lesson for Asian flower arranging. It was initially scheduled for us to meet at another residence...but that gal canceled...so all the lucky people returned to our place! :-) This time I was prepared with tea, coffee and a smile. :-) This style is called "Upright/Modified". I believe the focal point should be to the front only...so a good design scheme for a corner display. The teacher said the sides of the arrangement are not as important as the previous "Upright" style. This appears to be a little more of a Fall arrangment...at least I think so. The triangle layout continues with this type of arrangement, then you fill the bottom of the planter with all types of smaller 'filler' type plants. I chose the Sunflower to be the focal point and top of the triangle. When the instructor went around to each planter she paused...grabbed a hand-full of the tall/beige/brown material and jammed it in. I liked it a little better without the addition...but she felt more height was needed...plus she is the expert...not me! One girl showed up 30 minutes late "That crazy driver of mine!" she said. She then proceeded to take about 6 cell phone calls and screech in her native/tribal tongue (issues with her driver, nanny, housekeeper and cook she told us)...it would have been more entertaining if we weren't trying to listen to our soft-spoken Korean teacher. After the 5th call...I gently guided the lady to the entrance and shut the door....so she could have some privacy with her call....:-) It all went well and everyone seems to get along just fine. I even asked the 'talker' is she would like some 'special green tea from the mountain monks'....she looked at me like I was a martian...bugged out her eyes and said "No way!"...haha...At the end she gave me a hug and said she had a great time.. and she would like to return next week..maybe my hostess skills are improving....

After the class (and cleanup!) I walked to the local market and who do you think was there? The Turkish crew! You would think it was a nice family reunion...me with about 4 Turkish fellows of varied ages and my sweet Korean buddy. "Sis!!" they yelled across the market. I must say I enjoyed having someone recognize me...and with such enthusiasm! There are usually lots of foreigners who go to this place...so it was even more hilarious with all the commotion. Plus, I have quickly learned how social interactions sometimes go here...it's like Junior High and occassionally High School (on a good day). If a 'cool' kid talks to you...then all of their pals seem to think you are 'ok'...I doubt the other people in the market thought about it too hard...but maybe down deep they thought...'well, she seems to have a few friends!' :-) I will save some of my 'Junior High' dealings with a few of the other foreigner ladies(not Korean) in another blog...I'm in a pretty good mood right now...I would hate to ruin this nice blog entry! haha.