From Left to Right: 
Us in the Eastern Japanese Sea; Making Meyer out of Rocks; BIG TOMBS with Kings underneath the ground; First day with Chopsticks and Bibimbap (Rice and Veggies)
Have a closer look at the fishes!
We headed out day two to Gyeongju. This is the ancient city in South Korea. We took the KTX (Korea Express Train) and were going about 300km/h. Gyeongju is called the ancient city because it was the old capital of Korea during a period where three dynasties were in rule. There were several kings throughout the ages, and there is a lot of history there.
Our guest stay in Gyeongju was fantastic! Each night there were different activies. Of course, this night was pottery making!
Here we are at Gyeonbukgung. The most famous palace in Seoul.
You know, I also learned a lot on their trip here. I made sure I took them to museums and places that we could learn more about Korea's history. This is in Seodaemun. A prison that the Japanese kept Korean POWs in during their invasion from 1910-1945. We walked away discussing our luck, as a free country who hasn't had any wars on our land. Never take freedom for granted. We are damn lucky.
Then we hit the Korean War Museum. FANTASTIC. I learned SOO much about the Korean war in 50-53. And given the current situation with North Korea, being...ahem...difficult...I was happy to learn more about the war itself and where this situation all began. I didn't know until now that North Korea attacked Seoul first, unexpectedly at night time. It was communism vs. democracy. Again, we are so lucky to not have amimosity and have a country at peace.
Here we are on a war plane. And below, mom and dad inside of a plane from WWII.
Here we are at the DMZ: Demilitarized Zone, North and South Korea. This is a North Korean guard looking over at us through his binoculars. Kinda freaky...
This is a South Korean guard. He is standing in a building that is 1/2 in North Korea and 1/2 in South Korea. He is in North Korea...
Self-explanitory...
The guard is standing in ROK (Republic of Korea) Ready stance.
Us in the Eastern Japanese Sea; Making Meyer out of Rocks; BIG TOMBS with Kings underneath the ground; First day with Chopsticks and Bibimbap (Rice and Veggies)Well. I must tell you. I couldn't feel more lucky since I've been here, when my parents made the long haul to see me. I remember when I decided to leave, I had asked them to come, but they were both very hesitant. I think the longer the planted seed grew, the more realistic the idea become for them.
I bragged and bragged to the friends around me that I had my parents coming to Korea. Everyone knows the feeling, the feeling of your life at home, and important people, seeing what you do, where you live and how you operate in a foreign country.
The best part is, the few months leading up to their visit, I'd do something and think "Yep, I'm taking my parents here."
After much anticipation, they finally arrive on a Sunday afternoon, and after losing one, maybe two nights sleep, they did well to go out that night to have some juice and their feetsies bit at by little guppies.
The place is called "Dr. Fish." And its in a coffee shop. You get to put your feet in the water and the guppies eat the dead skin on the bottom of your feet. It was a great way to wake up dad from his JetLeg, and mom, was so squirmy and giggly, just like a little girl. It was priceless.
I bragged and bragged to the friends around me that I had my parents coming to Korea. Everyone knows the feeling, the feeling of your life at home, and important people, seeing what you do, where you live and how you operate in a foreign country.
The best part is, the few months leading up to their visit, I'd do something and think "Yep, I'm taking my parents here."
After much anticipation, they finally arrive on a Sunday afternoon, and after losing one, maybe two nights sleep, they did well to go out that night to have some juice and their feetsies bit at by little guppies.
The place is called "Dr. Fish." And its in a coffee shop. You get to put your feet in the water and the guppies eat the dead skin on the bottom of your feet. It was a great way to wake up dad from his JetLeg, and mom, was so squirmy and giggly, just like a little girl. It was priceless.
Have a closer look at the fishes! 
We headed out day two to Gyeongju. This is the ancient city in South Korea. We took the KTX (Korea Express Train) and were going about 300km/h. Gyeongju is called the ancient city because it was the old capital of Korea during a period where three dynasties were in rule. There were several kings throughout the ages, and there is a lot of history there.This picture is of some elementary school kids. They were EVERYWHERE the one day we were around to the museums and such. We felt like CELEBRITIES.
THey spotted us and said "Hello! Where are you from? You are handsome. I am genius. How old are you?" They just wanted to use their English and it was cute...for about an hour...then we felt like paperozi was chasing us. We even started to avoid them lol!
But, not before we got a picture with the little farts! :)
Our guest stay in Gyeongju was fantastic! Each night there were different activies. Of course, this night was pottery making!
Here we are at Gyeonbukgung. The most famous palace in Seoul.
You know, I also learned a lot on their trip here. I made sure I took them to museums and places that we could learn more about Korea's history. This is in Seodaemun. A prison that the Japanese kept Korean POWs in during their invasion from 1910-1945. We walked away discussing our luck, as a free country who hasn't had any wars on our land. Never take freedom for granted. We are damn lucky.
Then we hit the Korean War Museum. FANTASTIC. I learned SOO much about the Korean war in 50-53. And given the current situation with North Korea, being...ahem...difficult...I was happy to learn more about the war itself and where this situation all began. I didn't know until now that North Korea attacked Seoul first, unexpectedly at night time. It was communism vs. democracy. Again, we are so lucky to not have amimosity and have a country at peace. 
Here we are on a war plane. And below, mom and dad inside of a plane from WWII.
Here we are at the DMZ: Demilitarized Zone, North and South Korea. This is a North Korean guard looking over at us through his binoculars. Kinda freaky...
This is a South Korean guard. He is standing in a building that is 1/2 in North Korea and 1/2 in South Korea. He is in North Korea...
Self-explanitory...
The guard is standing in ROK (Republic of Korea) Ready stance.The stance is a Taekwondo stance. The US Army man told us that they wear the glasses for intimidation...
Korean Folk Village. We got to dress up! :)
Grinding some grains...old school styles...
Dressed up in Hanbok (Traditional Korean clothing) in a carrying box thing that servants would carry for Kings and Queens!
Dad got to plant RICE with the Korean men, as the Korean dancers danced outside the field. I think this was one of my favourite parts. He was in his glory... you can take the boy out of the country. But you can never, never take the country out of the boy!
LG vs SK game! The team names are based on their sponsor. Mallory from Durham joined us~
Mom's Birthday!! A hiking--we will go!
Of course, many more memories lie only in the minds of us three! I can't possible explain it all in one blog. But I can say that, this visit, will be one we will remember for ever and ever :)
Korean Folk Village. We got to dress up! :)
Grinding some grains...old school styles...
Dressed up in Hanbok (Traditional Korean clothing) in a carrying box thing that servants would carry for Kings and Queens!
Dad got to plant RICE with the Korean men, as the Korean dancers danced outside the field. I think this was one of my favourite parts. He was in his glory... you can take the boy out of the country. But you can never, never take the country out of the boy!
LG vs SK game! The team names are based on their sponsor. Mallory from Durham joined us~
Mom's Birthday!! A hiking--we will go!
Of course, many more memories lie only in the minds of us three! I can't possible explain it all in one blog. But I can say that, this visit, will be one we will remember for ever and ever :)
Thanks again Mom and Dad. I love you so much!
Keep on working on the Korean words I taught you! Test at Christmas!
xxoo Sarang Ha Yo (I love you)
VIDEOS!
Mom and Dad at I at Dr. Fish. This goes down as my all time favouritest of Videos! Press play!
Dad planting Rice. This is a close 2nd....
Looking into North Korea
Underwater Tomb in Gyeongju City
Making Korean Treats!
Changing of the Guards at the Gyeongbukgung Palace
I am so glad you liked Gyeong-ju!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have a lot more blogging to go when you get back :)