As Time Goes By

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Hello! I am officially missing my two boys--but I'm so glad I'm not far away. Last Friday, I went on a field trip with them to an big island at the mouth of the Han river. We climbed the large mountain there which only took a couple hours to go up, a pleasant 90 degree hike at times--almost 90 I'm sure. Most of the kids had no problem. I did have to rest alot. Then we got to see the 6th annual Asian song festival featuring pretty girl and boy bands from Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia and someone from Ukraine among others. It was an experience. We had VIP seats on the ground floor of the Olympic Stadium. I remembered the beautiful opening ceremony I watched on TV there. This event attracted families and many screaming girls.

I finally got to do some teaching this week. I will teach one class two days a week for the next three months. I am also taking a course put out by Harvard called "Teaching for Understanding". It is besides my regular work days--two nights a week and a few Sat. So I have a full plate.

We are taking care of someone's dog here. His name is Murry. Don't think I have a picture of him--next time. He's a character and a totally unashamed beggar. He eats literally everything--cucumbers and vegetables, uncooked noodles.

We are really enjoying our time here. We've had good and bad restaurant experiences, but recently more good and I found a great coffee shop--not too far away.

Love, to everyone, Take care Kasia

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Photos

Chris, Andrew & Jin
On bus to Kangwha Island

Someone's ancient tomb
The kids and us in front of this tomb. Don't know why they chose that rock formation and I forgot if it was a ruler or general's tomb. Sorry.

Stairs to the top of the mountain
Korean stairs, old or new, are often odd sized and the edge is not marked. Also, there are steep drops that are "protected" by one piece of rope. Exciting.

Yours truly at the top
Recorded evidence that we actually made it to the top.

View fr. the top
Still not sure it was worth the climb.

Another view
There was an old man at the top selling ice creams in two coolers. How he got them up there--I don't know.

air machine
Used to clean off your shoes when you come down from the mountain.

Fortress
Fortress at mouth of Han river to protect Korea from foreign invaders hundreds of years ago.

Got peppers
Hot peppers displayed for buying at local market.

Bacon restaurant
Meat is quite expensive here and most Koreans have once or twice a week. Bacon (w/ tons of fat) is cooked at the table. Eaten w/ lettuce, garlic and a spicy sauce. Very tasty all together.

Everything is family style
Public women's bathroom with mommy and toddler toilets--everything is family style. (Just be thankful I didn't snap a picture of the toilet that you have to squat over.)

Comments

[staffan]

Looks as if youre having fun!
Thank you for sharing your zezt for life with us cave-dwellers still at home tending the sheep. I enjoy reading your stories. Hi to Richard, also. Staffan