Seoul Return

October 30, 2019-Seoul Return

We were almost held captive in a shoe shine booth. David needed a shine and noticed several walk in booths along the sidewalk in Seoul. Yes, we flew back this morning. We entered and were seated. The nice gentleman remarked on the size of David’s feet. That’s a guess since he only spoke Korean. He chatted away as he polished, buffed, and waterproofed. He offered us candy, newspapers, a heater to warm us on this 70-degree day, and tv to pass the time. He spilled water on the shoes to show us how well they were protected. He held up what we thought were two 1,000 Won bills so that’s what David offered in payment. Au contraire. It was 20,000 Won he expected. That’s almost $20. David balked and offered 5,000. The guy settled for 10,000, and we beat a hasty retreat. We’re back in our hotel room, so I guess he didn’t call the police. 

But I digress. We awoke in Jeju to another glorious day. Our weather karma has held with the exception of one rainy day, and no one has gotten sick. Considering what we’ve been eating, it’s nothing short of amazing. All the raw veggies, fruit, and seafood must have been clean and fresh. The food handling stellar. 

We flew into Seoul and by the time we got our luggage and bussed the hour-long trip from airport to hotel, it was lunchee time. It was the usual buffet with lovely green tea and/or coconut soft ice cream for dessert. 

I thought we’d missed seeing the Myeong -dong Cathedral, but Jinny, a Catholic, was anxious for us to go in. Built in 1898 by Franciscans, the structure is unusual for Korea as it is brick. The interior is simple for a Catholic churchee.

Our hotel is in the Gangnam district of Seoul known for its cuisine both street and haute. The only familiarity I had with Gangnam was from Gangnam style Korean pop music. Now we are where it originated.

Here’s an interesting tidbit about Korean culture. Funeral tradition was to bury or cremate. There was either a three-day preparation for the funeral meal or three days of meals. Jinny strikes again. In any case, as we passed a hospital, she told us that hospitals now offer funeral services. They will prepare the body and cater the funeral meal in the funeral parlor. One stop shopping.

Dinner was in part of the palace of what Jinny may have said belonged to the fourth emperor of Korea. That seems really old unless lots of restoration work was done. The menu was elaborate starting with an array of vegetables to be placed in mini buckwheat crepes. What followed was a blur of pumpkin soup, meat patty, veggies, fried stuff, grilled stuff (eel this time) more soup, bulgogi, and sweets. We waddled back to the bus, rode to the hotel, said our goodbyes pledging to call if we came to their town, and went to bed. There are three groups going to the airport tomorrow. Some have to leave the hotel at 6 AM, some around noon, and our group that leaves at 2:30 PM. We have a four hour wait at the airport. That’s an earlier arrival before a flight than eeven David likes. We’re flying home by way of Minneapolis and will spend time with Wendy and Julian. We’ll be home November 5. 

I’ve mentioned the congeniality of our group. Here are some examples. One woman is hard of hearing and has short term memory issues. We all look out for her. We search for items others are on the hunt for. There have been successful safaris for a hippo, peanut butter, and Magnum ice cream bars. The intelligence level is high with graduate degrees, careers for both men and women in IT since it’s early days, world-wide industry and business, and education. Everyone has had challenges. One has two profoundly autistic children. A few ad hdivorces, remarriages, and tragic losses. Then there are those celebrating their lgbtq children and grandchildren. I guess when the ages range from 53 to 83, life happens.

Toby 

Churchee

Shoe Shine Guy