sleep for free with Mr Rhee!!!!

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So much has happened since our last little blog... day 2 (wednesday), we found a nifty mountain to hike on the internet... "GwanakSan". So we hopped on a subway, and followed the people with the hiking gear, and found the trail entrance pretty easily. They actually have gondolas bringing up military officials (they have a base somewhere up there), but of course, since we're soooo hardcore, we hiked it. well, it wasn't as cool as the peak (kidddinnng)! It was so rad! nifty pine trees and mountains made of giant balls of granite were all around us... and we had a great view of the monstrosity that is Seoul below us. Apparently, Koreans love their hiking, so we said Hellooooo to them as we passed. Well, when we arrived at the top, a Korean named Mr. Rhee stopped to chat with us about hiking the different mountains in the area. We ended up hiking back down with him, and - surprissse! he called up his wife, and then invited us to stay at his apartment in the classy business district of "new seoul". Wow! We defenitely lucked out!!!!! he was supernice and very friendly, so we decided to take him up on the offer and meet with him the next day....

That night, one of the hostel guys from Holland was leaving the next day (for Russia, works for shell) had a last nite dinner!!! We went to this veryyyy authentic japanese restauant. Tons of food, lots of raw fish and eel and sushi... and of course, Kimchi, which I (Sarah here) is really starting to looove. After sushi, we went to this tiny little korean bar with the Dutch guy, a Finnish girl, a German dude, and someone teaching english here from texas. How cool is that!? So many interesting people at our hostel!

The next morning, after a no-sleep kinda night (grrrr to the remnants of jetlag!), we met Mr. Rhee, who showed us his apartment, where we would stay. Although it was tiny, it was worth about $1 million US. Crazy! Also, to our surprise, Mr. Rhee and Mrs. Moon's apartent was totally free of furniture... okayyyyy... except for a tiny table and a few computer chairs. "You okay with sleeping on the floor?" he asked... Well, we thought he was kidding, but as it turns out, many koreans sleep this way - it is good for you!

We spent the day at COEX mall (gargantuan... crazy... crowded... colourful, LOUD!) with about 10 mill. koreans... the stores were so cool! very random... and then we went to the Aquarium. Also very RAD. Sharks, fish... the usual suspects.

Our meal, later that day, was rather enourmous. Mrs. Moon prepared a traditional dish of beef, yams, fishhhies (yes, with the heads on), rice, soup, salad, kimchee, and waterrrr. Yum. it's hard to beleive how much Koreans can eat! they are mostly very tiny!

Breakfast this morn was equally large... same things, but with additional noodles, and a brown seaweed soup that is supposed to clean your blood... it's traditionally given to mothers after childbirth, and children on birthdays... but not to students. 'Tis bad luck for tests. Biggest breakfast I think we've ever had. strannge. but RAD!

Today Mr. Rhee gave us a driving tour of the city in his white Hyundai (of course... its what everyone drives.) and then we went to Geongbukgong Palace. Beautiful! Gorgeous! Amazing... it was just negative 10 so a bit chilly wandering around the palace... but we'll add pics later. Went to the Korean Palace Museum and the Korean Folk Art MUseum also.

Well, now we're standing at a free internet booth at a crowded, and loud McDonalds... Korean pop music blazes pretty much everywhere, far louder than any of our parents could stand for! We're meeting Texas Mark soon for a walk around Rodeo Drive (mer, you should see the Louis Viutton building here! no fakes, still, though!). Better be off!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEREDITHYYY!!!!

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Photos

Sushi Dinner
yummm... so much raw fish

Geongbokung Palace
very nifty... the heaquarters of the Joseon Dynasty...

Comments

[Dad]

Too Much Fun
Okay already! You guys are having too much fun. We need some pictures...I checked out the weather in Vietnam and it's 34 celcius, just a couple more days and Ev with be in heaven. Take care.

[Cameron Youngson]

Dundas youths storm Korea
Whoa, slow down, slow down there kiddo, can't keep up - i feel like I'm being fastforwarded thru an episode of 24. The food alone has got me confused, not to mention the bed-less bedrooms. You keeping all your stuff, passports, cameras, flight tickets safe during all of this? This Mr. Rhee (myster-ee) chap must be a good guy to let you 2 vagrants crash at his place for a few days. Can you actually sleep on the floor? Shopping sounds like huge amount of fun - will be another total culture shock when you leave the glass towers and condos of Soeul for the bamboo huts of Vietnam. Looking forward to pics. Stay safe U2. Cam from Ham.

[andrea]

love
i miss you. sounds fab. (jeaaalous!)

[Hailey]

Sounds like you guys are having an amazing time already , make the most out of it , I know you guys will! :) Happy and Safe Travels. Hails

[venus]

wow
hey guys, that's pretty amazing that this guy invited you to stay with him just after meeting him on the hiking trail....although i'm not really surprised with evan's gift of the gab.

[Chickie]

Hey Sarah
WOW! Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Amazing to think that you have been away less than a week (I think). We are thinking about you. Have a blast. xo

[mom]

Greetings from G-ville
Evan, all sounds absolutely amazing. you always did talk to strangers and anyone who would smile at you. All those veggies and healthy food , you'll come back healthier than when you left.I've already bought you some yams, meatless meatballs and salad for your return .Laura says you'll probably know everyone in Seoul by now. Look forward to hearing your voice soon. Lots of love from all of us. mom

[jaz]

wow
mr. rhee and mrs. moon? i hope you write a book about them. a children's book. mrs moon.. eeee. reading your entries made me not worried. you guys are doing good. i would very much love to be there instead of in this crappy-music-loud-people-it's-fridayyyyy suite. bye!

[Dave]

my god i love food. this korean pop music interests me.

[Jen]

Sounds Like a Blast
Glad to hear that you arrived and you are enjoying yourselves immensely. So happy that you guys met a bunch of people in your hostel. I know there are alot of English speaking people down there in Seoul as teachers and with the military base. Now I have to get this straight; you traded a bed at your hostel for a place on the floor! I think lack of sleep has catched up to you. Enjoy the scenery and the exotic food. Jenn