Sunday, August 5

Chandler and I took the train into Imgen to take a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). We left after cleaning up around Memorial Hall and lunch. Although it only took us about 45 minutes by train to get there, by the time we walked to the train station, waited for it to arrive and make three million stops, then walked to the ticket office, the last tour of the day had just left 10 minutes ago. Before we headed to the ticket office, I asked the ticket guy at the Imgen station how frequently the train ran back to Tanyheon (stop for Ilsan). He said something about 50 minutes and stressed it several times; I thanked him and we headed for the DMZ ticket office (I looked at my watch and somehow calculated that the next train would arrive at 4:00 pm). It was about 3:10 when we arrived and found that the last tour was gone, so we decided to get something to eat then head back to the train station. As we approached the station we could hear a train leaving; it was too late to run and my heart sunk. We would now have to wait for an hour for the next train. The ticket guy scolded me when we purchased our tickets! He said something again about 50, and I discovered that me meant that the trains ran on 50 minutes to the hour, not on the hour. Okay, lesson learned and we will try this again next week.

Friday, August 3

I tried to sleep in a little today but could not. Chandler opted to do the teenage thing and sleep. Anita and I went for breakfast then she got ready for the soccer game between countries to be held this afternoon. Chan and I decided to shop a little before Molly came to get us at the hotel. We went into Dongamoon Stadium and shopped for about 20 minutes before a torrential downpour hit. We had no umbrellas and decided to go back to the hotel and eat lunch; we caught a cab and headed (the long way) back to the hotel. Although the cab drivers speak very little or no English, we somehow managed to communicate enough to get around - I loved it! Since the rain was not letting up, we opted to eat at the hotel rather than wander around looking for something else. I was pleasantly surprised with the menu at the hotel; we had sandwiches and french fries with a garden salad... how western is that? After lunch we decided to go back to the PC bong and check email; we spent about an hour then headed back and ran right into Molly! What excellent timing. We got back to Ilsan around 6:30 and helped peel peaches for her amazing jam! Although it was not the luxury we had enjoyed for a few days, it was great to be back at Ilsan. I worked for a couple of hours on my editing and now I am writing my memoirs. Living in Korea has been great for my relationship with my husband; he has gotten good at emailing me and expressing his feelings. I think I am spoiled...

Thursday, August 2

Today Anita, Henrietta and Thea (pronounced tay yah) came into Seoul for the Gathering. We were going to attend some of the workshops, but decided instead to go shopping in the open marketplace called Etaywon. WOW! I found a wonderful jewelry store that hand made pendants with names in Korean; I ordered one for my adopted sisters and one for Chandler. I am so excited - they will be ready next week just before we leave (ugh! the thought of leaving makes me sick to my stomach so I refuse to think on it anymore). We have met all kinds of fascinating folks here at the conference. For example I met a young man named Gordon who is living in Korea and working as an independent recruiter for Samsung and LG Products. I can work in Korea as a contractor next summer (earning about $4000 American) tax free; and both of these companies will house me and feed me for the month while I work. Then, I would be able to fly over Danny and Chandler where we will all go to Ilsan Center and volunteer. It sure sounds good to me... Now I must sell it to my husband! Hmmmm. I also will need an F4 Visa. The food has been amazing during the conference, but I am trying to watch how much I eat. We do not have computer access at the hotel, but found a computer bong (PC cafe) where you can pay $1000 won for 1 hour while the hotel was charging about $8.00/15 minutes. We went to a Hom Bok fashion show tonight at the race track and saw an all girl band that played an amazing version of classical music kicked up several lively notches.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Today Chandler and I left Ilsan for a few days to attend a national gathering of Korean Adoptees from around the world. It turned out that there were 600 people representing 14 countries! We got here in time for the opening ceremonies held at the Seoul Horse Race Track. Can you image a Korean horse race? The grounds also host major horse shows.

Our hotel is the antithesis of Ilsan Center. It is very upscale and lavish, with a master bathroom larger than mine at home. I feel guilty living like this while I know how others are living back in Ilsan. Molly wants us to stay for the entire week, but I think we will stay through Friday afternoon so that I can get back and get work finished. Chandler is disappointed but I feel guilty.

Dinner this evening was at a Buddihst Temple. We were supposed to bow, but there was no way that I was dong it. Chandler and I were separated because she was video taping and I was taking still shots. I prayed that she would know better than to bow to Buddah, and she did know. Out of approximately 400 who attended the temple, very few of us did not take part.