Seoul and Fall Weather!

This blog is long overdue - but we were recently on holiday! This past week was a traditional Korean holiday called Chuseok. Dan and I ventured to the big city! Seoul is one of the most populated cities in the world with over 20 million in the center and outer lying areas. We had great time and stayed with some of our friends for the week. Luckily, we went at an opportune time because of the big Chuseok holiday, and for the first two days Seoul was (almost) empty. We had great tour guides - Dan's friend - Tom and my friend David. We were fortunate to have them because we might have been lost for days.

Most children still wear the traditional Korean dress on Chuseok, the very colorful Hanbok - I have a picture below (not a creepy picture, I asked the mother before taking it). We wanted to do some tourist things since it was our first time to the city, so we visited the Gyeongbukgong Palace. We were also able to go to Seoul Towers - a massive circular structure that overlooks the entire city. I did not take any pictures, mainly because the camera would not do justice to the amazing views. It is overwhelming to look at how far the city stretches and how extensive everything is. There is also TONS of shopping in Seoul (I restrained myself this time...) and more importantly tons of open air flea markets. These are, of course, our favorite type of places to shop. Just something exciting about cheap and unique crap. We always feel like we need more.


A part of the Gyeongbukgong Palace. It is one of the largest palaces in Korea.


Dan and I with the guards of Gyeongbukgong Palace - they don't smile.


A little girl in traditional Hanbok. They are all different and hand made - very beautiful. The little boy outfits are even better.

Anyway, went to a few very fun jazz bars and another restaurant/bar where the owner makes his own rice wine and tofu. Delicious. We are planning another trip soon, you can imagine with a city that big - we only touched the tip of the iceberg on the true Seoul experience. Despite the city being amazing, etc. etc. - Dan and I are really pleased that we live in our city. It has allowed us to immerse ourselves a bit more in the Korean lifestyle. If we were living in Seoul, we probably would've turned to things that made us immediately comfortable - and there are LOADS of western things in Seoul. Thusly, bring it on Gunsan.

On another note - the weather here has taken a turn for the better. The most delicious fall weather that I have ever experienced...well actually the only fall weather I have ever experienced. It is windy and cool outside - extremely pleasant and I could go on forever. So we are trying to take full advantage and spend time outside! We had a great holiday and will begin school again tomorrow. Cheers. We love you all x x (Many pictures below. Enjoy!!)


Koreans love shoes! This is a photo at one of the flea markets. Shoes everywhere.


A stop at the Korean War Museum. We spent a few hours here, very interesting and informative as you can imagine.


Dan, David and I at the bar that makes their own rice wine. As you can see - Dan is looking more and more Korean with every passing day.


WHAT! Black and Gold at the Dongdaemun Underground Market. Too good baby, too good. Apparently, they took an American shirt with English on it, then translated it into Korean and then untranslated it back to English. I can tell all of this because of the literal phrases that they use that are located above and under the Saints helmet - Shiny Gold and the best located underneath which you unfortunately cannot read: "Strong Man - I am enjoying the speed, a handsome man." And, of course, this shirt was created in honor of Archie Manning - which I am sure the Korean designers definitely knew to be...a handsome man.