No Chairs
Mom & Dad M. were in Korea last week! It was an amazing week filled with walking, hiking, and of course, card playing.
The first day they were here was the second to last day of the Gwangju Kimchi festival, which could not be missed for a visitor to Korea. So on day one they got an overload of the national dish. Though Koreans often believe it's not palatable to Westerners, we really enjoyed it. Although by the 7th or 8th stall, I think their tongues were getting spice-weary.
That day was also an introduction to the very helpful nature of Koreans, and their desire to make certain everyone understands even if they cannot fully explain it. While I cannot speak Korean to communicate the vastness of Kimchi experience, I am able to read quite well and translate the main points. However, despite all my assurances to the volunteers, we were followed by no less than three volunteers who wanted to make sure that we got the full experience. They were very kind, and our conversations were insightful, even if a bit light on the Kimchi translation.
We then went out to a fine restaurant for some marinated pork ribs and Korean wine. Mom & Dad M were surprised by the lack of chairs, but game to try it all. By the end of the week I think they were really looking forward to some good chair sitting; I believe the most time we spent in chairs was on the bus. After their first night sleeping on the floor they also decided we needed a softer bed, and so they got an extra pad which makes mornings here that much more lazy.
They next days followed a similar pattern. Often we would get up around eight or nine, the parents probably at six or seven but out of consideration let us sleep in a bit. Korea is a late country, the bakery opens at ten and closes at three or four in the morning, bars serve until six or seven, and we have adjusted accordingly often going to bed after two and getting up between nine and ten. So for some time we felt almost jetlagged with the change of schedule. We would drink coffee and eat a little breakfast and decide what to do that day. More often than not, it included a long walk, which for us is the way we get around. The convenience of Korea makes walking the best option, and so this vacation was perhaps one of the healthiest they have taken, especially because Korean food is heavy on the vegetables and light on the meat.
We spent our time in temples and parks, two of the most beautiful aspects of Korea, and with the fall colors they were made even more so. In the evening we would come back to the apartment to recuperate (nap), and get ready for more culinary adventures. And while not as adventurous with food as Justin, they were certainly willing to try most anything and I believe they enjoyed it all. The highlight being a dinner on Mudeungsan that consisted of barely rice and mountain vegetables washed down with a mulled rice wine. Eating on the mountain was also a first for us, and we are upset that it took so long because it was delicious. The nights always ended with a round of card playing.
As for other happenings, they are best talked about over a couple beers and seated in some comfortable chairs or even a sofa, forgive us if we take a seat on the floor out of habit. Check out next post for photos from the visit!
It was great to be able to show our parents a little bit of our life and experience here. Now that they have gone our apartment seems very lonely, as we settle in for the last long haul until we see everyone else we have missed so much. You know who you are.
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| Meanest game of UNO in these here parts! |
The first day they were here was the second to last day of the Gwangju Kimchi festival, which could not be missed for a visitor to Korea. So on day one they got an overload of the national dish. Though Koreans often believe it's not palatable to Westerners, we really enjoyed it. Although by the 7th or 8th stall, I think their tongues were getting spice-weary.
That day was also an introduction to the very helpful nature of Koreans, and their desire to make certain everyone understands even if they cannot fully explain it. While I cannot speak Korean to communicate the vastness of Kimchi experience, I am able to read quite well and translate the main points. However, despite all my assurances to the volunteers, we were followed by no less than three volunteers who wanted to make sure that we got the full experience. They were very kind, and our conversations were insightful, even if a bit light on the Kimchi translation.
We then went out to a fine restaurant for some marinated pork ribs and Korean wine. Mom & Dad M were surprised by the lack of chairs, but game to try it all. By the end of the week I think they were really looking forward to some good chair sitting; I believe the most time we spent in chairs was on the bus. After their first night sleeping on the floor they also decided we needed a softer bed, and so they got an extra pad which makes mornings here that much more lazy.
They next days followed a similar pattern. Often we would get up around eight or nine, the parents probably at six or seven but out of consideration let us sleep in a bit. Korea is a late country, the bakery opens at ten and closes at three or four in the morning, bars serve until six or seven, and we have adjusted accordingly often going to bed after two and getting up between nine and ten. So for some time we felt almost jetlagged with the change of schedule. We would drink coffee and eat a little breakfast and decide what to do that day. More often than not, it included a long walk, which for us is the way we get around. The convenience of Korea makes walking the best option, and so this vacation was perhaps one of the healthiest they have taken, especially because Korean food is heavy on the vegetables and light on the meat.
We spent our time in temples and parks, two of the most beautiful aspects of Korea, and with the fall colors they were made even more so. In the evening we would come back to the apartment to recuperate (nap), and get ready for more culinary adventures. And while not as adventurous with food as Justin, they were certainly willing to try most anything and I believe they enjoyed it all. The highlight being a dinner on Mudeungsan that consisted of barely rice and mountain vegetables washed down with a mulled rice wine. Eating on the mountain was also a first for us, and we are upset that it took so long because it was delicious. The nights always ended with a round of card playing.
As for other happenings, they are best talked about over a couple beers and seated in some comfortable chairs or even a sofa, forgive us if we take a seat on the floor out of habit. Check out next post for photos from the visit!
 |
| Bottom's Up!!! |
It was great to be able to show our parents a little bit of our life and experience here. Now that they have gone our apartment seems very lonely, as we settle in for the last long haul until we see everyone else we have missed so much. You know who you are.
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