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!"....:-)