Homecoming

After landing in Detroit, getting though immigration and customs, and transferring our luggage for our homeward flight, it's time for the big moment. Our three charges are introduced to their new families. With children in strollers, we walk the little ladies through the frosted glass doors beyond security. On the other side, three families anxiously awaiting our arrival. Cameras start flashing, camcorders start recording as we present three little korean princesses to their new families. Being an adoptive parent, I know exactly what these families must be feeling. A moment like this was given to my family twice before. I am honored and most pleased to be a part of bringing this moment to others.


After basking in the light of joy radiating from these growing families, it was time to go home. Bill, Louie and I get some food and drink and relax a little before catching our flight home.

Journey Home part 2

With our bags checked and young charges ready to travel, we made our way through the security line and the immigration office. The first leg of the flight to Narita was uneventful. After the feedings and diapers changed in the airport nursery, we board our plane for the longest part of the journey. The three little girls did not sleep much on the long flight. Short naps got us through.

Journey Home

Friday morning, we packed up and headed for the airport. It was 14000 won/person to take the bus and 20000 won /person to take a taxi. Taking the taxi got us there an hour earlier than riding the bus through all it's stops. We had enough time to sit down for breakfast at Cafe Bizbaz and have a nice buffet breakfast for 12000won/person. The cafe is just up the escalator from the nursery where we meet Ms. Lee, her staff and the babies.

Last Day In Seoul

Today we went to Lotte Mart, like Walmart but better. It turns out that DHC cosmetics which Bill's wife uses are sold at Lotte Mart much cheaper than in US. While there we found many other items of interest. I did not know that Soju comes in 2 liter containers. A saleswoman tested anti wrinkle creme on Louie in the cosmetic area. Lotte mart has a wide variety of items including produce, food, electronics, clothing, appliances and automotive stuff. All at decent prices.

After we made our purchases in Lotte Mart we headed back to Itaewon to drop our stuff off at the hotel. Earlier this week we discovered that our friend Mrs. Yung did not have her shop in the alley past all season. She now runs her business from a cart out on the main street in front of McDonalds. She does not work on Tue. or Weds. But would be there on Thursday at 3pm. So, we wanted to visit her before heading out to Insadon. Mrs. Yung seems to be doing well with her new business. She calls us her three sons from America. She says she is old enough to be our mom.

Jonny Dumpling

Here we are having lunch at Jonny Dumpling in alley across from Hamilton Hotel. I sent this from my pda from the restaurant. This place has excellent boiled, steamed and fried dumplings.
Jonny is a local korean making handmade chinese style dumplings. He also operates a PC store in the alley behind the Hamilton called Jonny PC.

Gettin' Jiggae with It

As usual on these trips, the first morning we go to KSS to make updates to referral information for some of the children. Before we go, a stop at Starbucks is in order. Green tea latte is my favorite. Then we hop on the subway to Suyu Station for 1100 won and grab a cab for 4400 on from there on to KSS. We were a little behind schedule because of getting on the wrong direction when we changed over subway lines. Ms. Lee giving Bill and I an incredulous look says, "But you have been here before." We could only shrug and laugh it off.
After presenting our gifts to the orphanage, we were priviledged to do updates on three beautiful babies. Bill did the paperwork with Ms. Lee. Louie would play with the babies while I photographed every expression he could coax out of them. Louie even got a smile from the sleepiest of the three babies.

After we finish the updates, we visited the nursery. Some of the babies had just finished bath time and were bundled up.
With the updates done, it was time to head out on our own. Even though it was cold out it was still sunny. We walked a little way and got a cab for 3000 won back to Suyu station. But before heading back to the hotel, we stopped for a bite to eat at a little corner restaurant for some local cuisine. Some kim bab and kimche jiggae made for a delicious lunch. Kimche chiggee is a spicy stew with kimche, tofu, rice dumplings and meat. Very spicy and very good on a cold day.

Safe and Sound in Seoul

We landed in Incheon and took the bus to the Hamilton Hotel. But before settling in for the night, we had to visit the Seoul Pub for an OB, then visit our favorite back alley cook for a late night snack.