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Shanny Surprise!
So last week Jonathan and I headed to the airport to pick up Mommy Peters. We were waiting off to the side by the doors, and forgetting that she had to go through customs, we ended up waiting a fairly long time. I looked away for a second and turned back thinking that I was seeing things, delusional maybe from starring at the gates for so long. When it finally hit, that I was looking at my sister, I screamed and then I believe I yelled “what the F***!” as everyone in the airport looked at me. What a surprise! I cannot believe everyone was able to keep this a secret from me for so long. Best B-day present ever!! The Peters women were together again!
We took the long bus back to Buyeo, while both of them slept and me still in disbelief. On Monday, I dragged myself to work. Monday through Wednesday was a little torturous having to be 5 minutes away at work and not being able to be with them. Thankfully I didn’t miss much on Monday because they slept all day. Jet lag is often not fun. Tuesday they headed to the
Buyeo National Museum, a modest place for Buyeo. They also saw the Buyeo market, including the strange dried out fishes. And they went to Morning Glory, an important part of experiencing Korean culture. On Wednesday they climbed a hountain (a new word coined by Shan for something that is in-between a hill and a mountain) near our place. They also checked out the pond,
Kungnamji, near us. Then at 4:00 pm they headed to my school for a little tour. They met my co-teacher and saw the Baekje English world; a site to see, I must say. Then my-co teacher, bless her soul, asked my VP if I could have Thursday off and he was kind enough to say yes. That night we went out for a traditional Korean meal with my co teacher and another English teaching couple from town.
The next morning we headed to Gyeryongsan National Park. I wanted to show them the Donghaksa (temple) and a waterfall I had not seen. Of course I forgot to check the sign and assumed the route. You know what they say about assumptions! I ended up taking them half way up the mountain in the wrong direction. Way
to go Steph, why bother using the map in your pocket? So at least we got some good exercise but sadly there was no waterfall. I think I have decided that I have terrible luck with waterfalls, it's that or it's just me. Later that night I took them back to Kungnamji for the night experience.
The next morning we headed to Busosan in Buyeo, a smaller mountain or Hountain if you will. I forgot that this is the time for all the field trips in school so we shared our walk with about 500 elementary kids. I think mom and Shan felt like superstars because every kid said hello to them and asked where they were from. It is still pretty novel here for the people of Chungnam to see foreigners, as they found out. After the hike, Shan and I went into town and shopped a little. I just can’t seem to get enough stationary stuff here. A quote from Shan that sums it up, ‘Why isn’t paper this much fun at home?.’ That night we took the bus to Incheon to start the next leg of their trip in Seoul.
On Saturday morning we took
four trains into Seoul to get to our destination. I took them to an area called Sincheon. I had been there once before in the fall. It has some of the best shopping I have seen here yet. Although you can’t try on most all of the clothes because I believe they are afraid the clothing will stretch, the shopping here is pretty unbeatable. I took them down this little back street I had found the last time I was there. And I must say what a joy it was shopping with them over Jonathan. There’s nothing like being in a shopping area with other people who actually want to shop. We were all very successful too. Shan bought three beautiful purses, Mom got a pair of earning and two pairs of shoes, and I walked away with a couple of belts. By the time we were finished it had started to rain. We decided to take a cab to the next destination, Hongdae. I had been there the pervious weekend to go to an American Apparel. I had printed a map of the place but I didn’t end up using it the week before. I thought it would be
a great idea to use it in this instance because I could just give the cab driver the map. About 4 minutes later we got out of the cab and I did not recognize any of the surroundings. We stopped in a gallery to ask where we were and a lovely gentleman told us that the map did not match the address. Thanks American Apparel. At this point we were now 6 stops and 2 subways away from Hongdae. We decided to make the trek although I think Mom would have been very happy to have skipped it. She never quite got over the jet lag, so 3:00 pm was scary at times. I kid cause I love! We went to a coffee shop there and ended up just walking around the block. To be fair the weather was pretty bad; it can be such a downer sometimes.
The next morning we headed back into Seoul. We checked out a Palace recommended by my co-teacher named, Chang-duk-gen. It was quite lovely. It contained a secret garden that is not so secret anymore. I think with a title like this it was bound to let me down. I am certain
we only saw a small portion, it was quite pretty but I guess the movie by the same name gave me high expectations. The palace is only seen in tour groups, which made for lovely camera shots with no people. Afterwards we headed to a restaurant for some Korean BBQ, another traditional dining experience (I think they only had two here ahah I’m a good host). You sit on the floor while beef cooks on a burner in front of you. Then we hit up Insadong, a fantastic art area with an abundance of quality souvenirs. This finished off the trip. That night Shan and I watched more Lost as we had the whole week. I am now officially caught up and I have rekindled my love for the dwindling series, very exciting.
The next day I accompanied the ladies to the airport and my waterworks started, realizing I wasn’t going to see them for another seven months. Mom famously said, ‘I’m almost crying.’ I tried desperately hard to make Shan cry and got a couple tears. I think she loves me more. Tears are related to how much you love someone, right? And then they were gone. I
took the subway back to Incheon and ended up having to kick around for over an hour until the bus for my small town left. I ordered dinner and got asked three times if I can use chopsticks and was also offered a fork. Nothing much else has happened since. I think we are now experiencing the best weather Korea has to offer (of course right after Mom and Shan left). I am a little frightened for the summer as I hear it gets quite hot. I am headed to Daecheon beach this weekend with my co-teacher. Her Aunt owns a pig farm, it should be interesting!
Until next time. Love you all!!!! xoxoxoox
P.S Another shout out to the amazing Mommy Peters and sister Shanny, who graciously carried a ridiculously large bag filled with all my winter clothing and many many shoes home for me. They are too good to me and I won’t forget it!!
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