Day 7 in Korea

Today was our last day to be out and about, but we went so hard yesterday that we decided to let the kids play this morning after a good breakfast.  John had a few places he wanted to go and we also knew it would be easier and faster with just one person vs 6.  Off to the playroom Mammy and I went with Easton and Olivia and off on adventures John went.  Buppy went to the room to relax. 

 

A little lovin....

 

 mixed with laughter and playing.

John came back and had been to a local university to get a shirt.  If they wear a college shirt on Mondays to his school he is allowed to wear jeans.  Every teacher loves a jeans day.  He came back with a shirt for Olivia and me, too. 
  

 

 He went back to Severance to get a few more pictures and as he went inside he heard 'Amazing Grace.'  Though it was in Korean he knew the tune. 

 

 He thought they had really good speakers, but followed the sound and found this choir singing in the hospital.  How neat is this?!

 

 

 He then found the hospital that Olivia was placed in after her stent at the birth hospital where she was born.  This hospitalization was due to her low birth weight.

He returned early afternoon to find Olivia and me coloring together and Easton asleep.  We were ready to hit the road as soon as Easton woke up.  Olivia went to his bookbag and said, "Ready!  Maybe daddy can just carry me like this today?"  I thought she was laying on the bookbag until I went around to the other side....

 

 and found this!!!  She was IN the bookbag!  Love this girl so much!!!

 

 We made one more trip to Insadong and Namdaemun.  Here Olivia suggested, "2 holds."  John was a good sport and did this for about 10 minutes.  My arms are super tired from carrying one or the other ALL DAY LONG for the past 3 days.  It has been fun, just tiring. 

 

 He got a picture of us in front of this starbucks.  Most starbucks are spelled in English.  Somewhere I read that this is the only one written in Hangul in Korea, but I saw another one further down near some museums in Insadong. 

Mom was getting something in Starbucks and a group approached us.  They must have been on a scavenger hunt or something because they said they had to have a picture with us.  So, we grabbed one, too. 

We got back to the hotel to get Buppy and all headed out to Itaewon for dinner.  I think this is the most westernized area in Korea.  I liked it the first trip, but now prefer the more Korean areas.  We attemped one more picture of the four of us and then went to a place called JR's for dinner.  It is a southern BBQ place and was pretty good.  We saw another American couple and enjoyed talking to them for a bit.  We came to Itaewon to go to a place called Nashville.    We learned from this couple that it burned down 2 months ago. 

 

Today is the last day in Korea.  I hope to come back in the near future!  Our flight is at 5:00.  I am off to pack!  Next stop.....USA!

Day 6 in Korea

These two were out by 8:30 last night!  I didn't get the picture, but as her hand slowly fell into Easton's and they slept holding hands for several minutes. 

How is it possible that we have already been here 6 days?!?!  Last night we mapped out what we wanted to do for the remainder of our time here.

Ready for the day!  Going up and down stairs and making quick subway changes meant both kids needed to be in a carrier.  Olivia wanted daddy to carry her so he got to sport the pink carrier.

 

 

We saw this guy and I think we stand out about like this guy as far as looking like tourists.  Do you think he was made to make fun of people like us??  He has a camera and looks lost....yep, it must be us!  Honestly, we get around really well here. ;)

 

 

 I am not so sure we did everything on today's list because we went on a scavenger hunt for name chops.  I really wanted to get these for the kids when they are older, and there is a store in Insadong.  First detour...when getting off the subway, I found the man who paints family names and does amazing scroll work.  I have looked for him since our first trip!!  We got our name and then one that said family.  Then we returned to our list and heading straight to the name chop store.  Sadly, the store isn't there anymore.  It is now an art gallery.  We stopped at the Somerset which is where we stayed when we came to bring Olivia home. 

This was in the outdoor garden at Somerset.  Had to keep moving with Easton, so we went back outside.   

John asked the people at the front desk if they had any suggestions as to where to go.  They gave us a name and we were in the direction to find it when a lady on the street offered help.  Add in an extra kid and people have gone out of their way to give candy, offer help and even take us to places!  She actually made a phone call and then took us about 10 minutes out of her way.  She stayed with us while we chose the name chop and even told the man his price was too expensive!  She got him to bring it down a bit and give us a small case.  Some how she also had the man throw in some hot hands.  I asked if we could take a picture together and she said no, but then got her phone and camera ready.  She then emailed me the picture.  Works for me!!!  Side note for this picture.  Easton was drenched from a diaper that didn't hold all of his liquid.  My jeans, back, shirt, and coat were also extremely wet!  Fun times!  I took off his shirt under his jacket that went with his outfit, but his pants were still very wet.  He seemed very happy to have his diaper changed.  I wish I could have changed, too. 

 I love that her name was the same as Olivia's Korean name!  When helping with the name chop she was able to tell us what is good to get and what means what.  Olivia's piece says happiness on it and Easton's has a dragon which is good fortune here.  She explained that the name needs to fill the space to  symbolize pride and joy that you have in your name. 

This was the man who had the name chops.  He was very kind.  He explained how he is a music director for a boys choir.  He showed us a video of his 13 year old daughter playing violin at a concert.  What a talented girl!  I love how friendly the Koreans are as a whole.  They go out of their way.  It would be wonderful if more people were as kind as they are!

Next stop was a dumpling place that Mammy found rated the best in Seoul.  It was definitely busy!  Olivia and Easton both ate well! 

 Mom and I wanted to return to Bampo to the Christian store for a few things and we knew we better head that direction.  I want to go through Insadong as we didn't have time to shop in there today cause we needed to get to Bampo.  This store isn't open on Friday so today was our last shot.  The kids officially melted here.  By now it was late afternoon and they were D.O.N.E.  We left here and hopped on the subway to head back to our hotel.  They both needed some playtime.  Easton fell apart on the subway--multiple times!  It was not a joyous time, but we made it.  He is currently an emotional eater.  When he got upset the only thing that could calm him down was food.  We made it back and they are successfully playing right now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5 in Korea

Today was a fun day!!!  We went to the Coex Aquarium.  Olivia seemed to have a really good time.  Easton seemed to like it, but was also not really understanding what we were doing.  If you are coming to Korea soon, go there!!!  It was the neatest aquarium I have ever been to.  They showed the fish in artsy ways!  When we finished, I hate to admit this, but we went to McDonalds.  You know if you are only paying $1.00 for a burger it can't be a good thing!  Who knows what we ate!!!  I haven't eaten McDonalds since I was in the 4th grade and I puked that night!  Olivia has NEVER eaten McDonalds.  Ugh!!! 

We got going somewhat slowly this morning.  The kids had a snack,

 

 played with stacking cups,

 

 and watched traffic go by.  This is a favorite!

 

Mammy and Buppy shortly arrived and made us breakfast.  It was YUMMY!!!  We skyped with my sister and her family.  I love seeing my sweet Annelyn and Adeline! 

 

Today we ventured the subway.  It was super easy!  We have always just taken a taxi, but since the aquarium was pretty far we decided to try it. 

 

 It was a great way to see some other parts of the city!

 

 Right when we got off the subway we saw an advertisement for Frozen!  Olivia loves this (even though she hasn't seen it yet!)  Annelyn, she wanted to be sure you see this picture!!!  She was so excited to tell you about it!

 

 We walked though following the signs to the aquarium. 

 

 

 

 Fish in a red, green and yellow traffic light.  Fun--and this was just the beginning. 

 

 These poor fish must be hard of hearing.  They hit sensors to make music constantly play.  It was really neat!

 

 See what I mean by artsy....there are fish in a refrigerator! 

 

 ....and a washer!!

 

We are beginning to see more of this.   

 

 There is a café here that you get your feet scrubbed by fish while you enjoy your coffee.  They had a 'sampling' here at the aquarium!

 

 John gave it a try!!

 

 All those fish on his fingers are eating dead skin.  Can you say gross! 

 

 A random groundhog.  Bless him.  There was a palace drawn on the wall and he was trying to jump to the roof of it.  He couldn't figure out how to get off this tire swing. 

 

 I think this was Easton's favorite part!  Air blowing in his face from a vent.  Yep, that's it folks!

 

 Fish in a mailbox.

A computer with fish. 

 

 

 

Fit # 2 within 10 minutes of each other.  It is definitely not all happy and smiles around here!  He will just get so angry and upset out of the blue and then he is ok again.  Poor boy!  However, I know it is good for him to grieve.  John is blowing in his face to get him to breathe.  So far he hasn't passed out!  Yay us!! 

 

 Snack time break!  Food fixes everything, right?!?!

 

 A little play time with the suction cups and the octopus.  They both loved this!

 

Some beautiful live coral.  It was fun to watch all the different ones moving! 

 

 Penguins!!! 

 

 

We got back on the subway and headed back to the hotel.  We are just hanging out now.  What for dinner??  We will probably go back to the playroom for a bit and then put two tired kiddos to bed.  Great day overall!