We went on an adventure to South Korea, flying on Space A from Misawa Air Base to
Osan Air Base. We have never done Space A and we
certainly learned some things. Josh went
at 6:00am to make sure our names were on the list. They told him to come back at 9:30 for the
roll call. So I went to teach my yoga class and the kids were at home getting ready
for the day. At 9:30 in my class, Josh
started calling me frantically. I could not do anything about the calls because
I was teaching. When I got out of class, Josh had left me a
message that I needed to run to the terminal.
We were not told that we needed to arrive at 9:30 travel ready, with all
of the travelers, and all of the luggage. We were extremely lucky that they let
us on the plane without everyone there.
While I was teaching, Josh was scrambling around to get the luggage, the
kids, and take the dog to the sitter. I
ran in my yoga clothes to the terminal.
We just thought that we would have time to do all these things after we
checked in. So I had to change in the
terminal and we had not eaten any food. It
was a mad dash and we certainly learned our lesson the hard way. One day we
will probably laugh about all of this.
Next we just waited around for the
plane. The military makes you arrive
three hours or more early for flights and then you just wait. The flight itself was fine and not very long
and we did not have to pay anything.
This is why people do Space A.
When we arrived to Osan, we waited again in a really hot room to get
through the customs process. I did not
prepare the kids for all this waiting and I needed dollar bills to get food
from the vending machines. All I had was
Korean currency and cards. After customs we took a bus
from Osan to Seoul to the Yongsan Army base where we were staying at the Dragon
Hill Lodge. I was impressed that the
kids made friends immediately with another family that had traveled from Misawa
and that they were not at all phased by spending Spring Break in another
country. Josh and I were lucky to travel to another state during our Spring
Break as kids. They do not realize how unique our life can be.
The Dragon Hill Lodge is a very nice
hotel. It has a pool, fitness center, restaurants, playground area, and
shopping area. We explored a bit but
mostly we were just tired and starving.
I thought it was strange that I did not really feel excited about this
trip until we arrived. I think this is due to the fact that we were flying
Space A and I had to keep thinking of contingent plans in case we did not make
the flight. Such a mindset that I am not used to.
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Playground at the Dragon Hill Hotel |
Day 1- This
morning started out as a business morning. The Dragon Hill has a great tour
company on site and we were able to plan each day with the excellent
tours to the sites of Seoul. We also had to buy new luggage. Both times we have traveled
internationally, something breaks.
International travel calls for better than yard sale luggage.
We walked to the
War Memorial Museum, right off base. It
was an excellent museum. The outside was
a parking lot of planes, tanks, and other military machines. The kids had a great time running around and
climbing into the machines. Inside, we
learned a lot about the Korean war. The
museum was full of great displays, visuals, and movies about the event. The kids really got into it. I feel like they are starting to understand
their place in the world as we learned about Korea’s conflict with Japan and the influence that the United States had in the war.
We walked to Itaewon, a shopping
area up the street from the base. Josh
ordered a custom made suit there which he will pick up later in the week. He also picked out fabric for a party shirt
for his mess dress. The kids had a great
time shopping for trinkets from the vendors on the street.
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We saw a rehearsal for some sort of ceremony at the War Museum. It was cool to see the traditional military uniforms as well as the current day ones. |
Day 2- We
took a taxi to the Trick Eye Museum. It
was full of scenes that look 3D from a camera angle. The kids had a great time
being in all of the scenes. There was a dynamic maze there as well. It was like a team challenge obstacle
course. Afterward, we found a good
restaurant down a tiny alley. It served yummy
dumplings and looked really authentic.
We were the only Americans in the restaurant.
Day 4- We took a city cultural tour where we started
at the Jogyesa Buddhist temple. They had
lined the courtyard with thousands of colorful lanterns in celebration of
Buddha’s birthday.
We next went to the
Gyeongbok Palace and saw the changing of the royal guard. I loved the drumming and seeing the
traditional clothing. We explored the
palace and learned about the kings and queens of Korea.
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Inside the castle. I love all the colors and intricate artistry |
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The traditional clothing are beautiful Hanboks. Pants has a new friend in this picture. |
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The Castle grounds just went on and on |
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The Blue House which serves the same function as our White House |
We went to Changdeok
Palace which looked a lot like the other and was just as big. We enjoyed the more subdued but still lovely separate living quarter that the king built for his favorite mistress.
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This is the ceiling of the palace. I just love all the detail and colors. I must be getting tired of living in military housing with white wall. |
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The slope of the roof is indicative of Korean architecture |
We ended the day with two shopping markets- Insadong Street and Namdaemun Flea
Market. It was great fun to see the
vendors. Both shopping centers were full
of lots of energy and traditional things to sell.
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The kids are watching a demonstration of how to make a yummy spun honey Korean treat. |
Day 5- We
next went to the Bukchon Hanok Village.
A Hanok is a traditional Korean house.
I loved seeing the sloped roofs and the steep alleys between the homes.
Inside the village we went to the Donglim Knot Museum. I have purchased some of
the beautiful knots on purses here. This is a
traditional craft in Korea and the Museum is dedicated to teaching and
spreading the art. We went into an
embroidery workshop as well.
After our tour we went to Seoul
Forest Park. It is a huge part with five different sections. There were
playgrounds for kids, lots of cherry blossom trees, wild deer, a huge bridge to
the Hangang River, and lots of paths to wander.
Near the park we found a traditional Korean Bar-b-Que restaurant. We
have a few of these in Misawa so we knew the basics. The side dishes they brought were much
spicier than what we have in Misawa. Koreans like their spices! It was good
food.
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The Cherry Blossoms are blooming in Seoul. Misawa will not get the blossoms until the end of April. |
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Hangang River overlook |
Day 6- On Sunday we stayed in our room and watched General Conference. We had considered seeing out a Korean ward but our ward in Misawa was using this day to watch conference so we thought we could do the same. Between sessions we ventured out to find the Seoul
Temple. I researched the temple before
we arrived in hopes that Josh and I could do some temple work while on this trip.
I was very disappointed to find that the temple would be closed for two weeks
for cleaning. I feel so marooned from a temple sometimes! We still wanted to see the temple so it was
good to make the trek over. It looks
very much like the Las Vegas Temple, it is just three times smaller. While we
were there we met another LDS family from Springville, Utah of all places.
Sometimes the world is a small place. We also met some of the local
missionaries. Then it was back to the hotel for another session of General
Conference. I felt that a day of rest
was welcome and needed.
Day 7- We took a journey into the past to the Joseon
dynasty Folk Village. We wandered into the folk homes. They were a lot more humble than the palaces
we had been exploring of course. We
enjoyed three performances- acrobatic dancing, acrobatic high wire tricks, and
equestrian feats.
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I am in the stocks in the prison house |
Day 8- We returned to Misawa from Osan Air Base on the rotator. Again, we were not prepared for all the hurry up and wait in Osan and then once we arrived in Misawa through customs. We have learned some things about Space A travel though. I guess you have to do it a few times before it becomes old news. But we had a great time Seoul, South Korea. Thanks for hosting us for awhile Seoul!
What a fun adventure! Thank you for sharing it.
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