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.

Taking Flight

Our journey begins early in the morning at Akron-Canton Airport. After a quick check in of our luggage, and a short security line, we relax with a cup of coffee while waiting for our plane. Our flight to Detroit was on time. Now we just have a 5 hour wait for the next leg of the trip to Narita, Japan. Plenty of time to update my gps with Korea waypoints and check on some email. By the way, it is snowing in Detroit.

Answering the Call

It is a great honor to be called again to serve as escort for adopted children. Not only am I privileged to visit the beautiful country of South Korea, but I will also be traveling in the company two gentlemen who are friends and heroes from the China Service Project. I feel very blessed to have opportunities like this to be a part of a fellowship serving others and helping bring children togther with their new families. Bill, Louie and I are leaving for Seoul November 16th. As before, I will post entries about our trip here for friends and family to share in our adventure. More to come...

Flight Home

The last morning in Seoul, we got up early and headed down to catch the airport bus. On the way a taxi driver made a deal with us. After a little haggling we got him down to just a couple thousand won above the bus price. And we'll get to the airport faster since there are no stops.
At the airport we discover that our favorite breakfast stop, Burger King, is no longer next to the nursery. But now there is a money exchange and a Duncan Donuts. So, we convert our money back to U.S. and grab a bite from the donut stand.

Ms. Lee and her staff arrive with our charges to be escorted to their new parents in Detroit. from this point on Bill and I will be busy with taking care of the little guys. The flight goes well and the babies handle it fantastically. We lucked out having vacant seats next to us on the flight. It gave us plenty of room for taking care of the two boys and making them comfortable.

The Last Day

We set out for Korean Social Services at 8:30 a.m. on the subway to Suyu Station. Found a taxi right away to take us the last couple miles to KSS. We gave the drive a map written in Korean. I’m not sure why, but every time I’ve given this map to a driver here, they always have to stop and ask someone where KSS is. After last years walk from Suyu because the drive didn’t want to take us, I new the way fairly well. Another kicker about this is the driver has a dashboard GPS yet he still stopped to ask someone. When he stopped a second time to ask, I noticed the map display on his GPS was showing us close enough to KSS that I pointed to the spot on the map. I then got the chance to try out 2 Korean words I had just learned. Wen jok (left) and oran jok(right). I guess I pronounced then well enough for him to understand since he followed my directions.

We made it to KSS a little early. Ms. Lee greeted us and offered beverages while we wait. Bill and I accepted bottled water. I presented Ms. Lee with gifts for the orphanage and for the staff. Ms. Lee remembered me from last year as "one of the guys that walked from the subway to KSS". After a short wait, the foster moms were ready with the children here for updates. Bill took the documentation and I did the photographs for the 4 children. The information gathered shows the current health and welfare of each child in foster care. This info is taken back to Family Adoption Consultants and presented to families waiting to adopt these children. All of the children are fine, beautiful and healthy. After the updates we ask to visit the nursery. There are only a few infants staying at KSS at this time. The rest are in foster care.

After our visit is done, we head back to Itaewon. We catch a bus back to Suyu Station. Bill got laugh as I got run over by a pack of little old ladies rushing the ticket counter as I get in line to buy our tickets. Apparently, the concept of waiting in line does not apply to the elderly. And in Korea, the elderly are fast and have good elbows. Eventually we get our tickets and are on our way.

Back in Itaewon we did some shopping. We made one stop at the grocery store across the street and around the corner from the hotel. Had to pick up some Soju to bring back. Made a new discovery. Jinro now packages this strong alcoholic beverage in a juice box. Not sure how well these containers will travel so I got the plastic flask containers that I usually get. Later in the evening, Bill and I stop at the best pub in Itaewon, The Seoul Pub. The place is run by a man we know as Junior and his older brother. Junior is in the picture with Bill and I. After the pub we stopped at little restaurant down a side street. For just a few thousand won we had tastey late dinner.

COEX Mall

After Kukkiwon, we went to the COEX Mall by the Korean World Trade Center. After the walking we had done, it was time for the food court.
There were many choices. We settled on a ground beef and chicken dish.
This time I took a picture before it was all gone.

Kukkiwon

Today's journey took us to Kukkiwon, home of the World Taekwondo
Foundation. I guess not many visitors in the off season come to
Kukkiwon. The whole facility was vacant. We saw a couple cleaning ladies
leaving the building when we arrived. All the doors were open, so we
went in to see the gym. It was a bit smaller than I expected. If it were
not for Kukkiwon being painted on the wall behind the judges seats, I
would have thought this was just a local arena. There were 3 teen boys
that showed up at one point, looking around. As is usually the case when
we meet local Korean kids that know only a little english, they use the
one word they know well, "Hello" to which I reply "Anyong-ha-sayo". And
as usual they act surprised that I know Korean for hello. Then the same
boy says "Taekwondo!" with a thumbs up gesture. Then he demonstrated a
well executed head high front kick. I nodded approval and gave a thumbs
up. I was still a bit stiff from the long walk to demonstrate any moves
I know. We moved on.

Back to Itaewon

We went back to Itaewon and ended the evening with a few brews at Seoul Pub and a meal of kimchi, chicken skewers and fried dumplings at a favorite alley vendor. (Once again no picture of the food, I ate it)

On to Insa-Dong

Back to the subway to go to Insa-Dong market place. It's a little more
upscale from Dongdaemun market. We notice a brand new building in the
area. A spiraling deck led us up to see many shops in a small area. At
the top we found another street food vendor selling another favorite
treat of mine, Korean pancakes. Once again, no picture of the food since
I ate it before thinking someone might want to see what I'm typing about.
new shops

Namdaemun

Across from the Bank of Korea by Namdaemun we saw the fountain pictured here. During cold months, the fountain is turned off and lights are erected for display.

A protest marched by as we were looking at the fountain sculptures. Bill talked to a local man who explained the protest was against the government, demanding better jobs, housing and economics for the people. Hey, just like back home ;-)

We continued our walk-about of Namdaemun. Occasionally stopping to enjoy some of the food sold at the street vendors.

Time for a Walkabout

Looking out from a stairwell window on the front side of the Hamilton Hotel, we saw the familiar street intersection below. There have been some changes since last year. The Burger King that used to be on one corner is now Quiznos and a Cold Stone Creamery. We went exploring to see what else had changed in Itaewon. We found the Burger King west of the hotel on the same side of the street, a few hundred feet away. A little further we discovered another Starbucks, making 2 on the same street now. There's a Hard Rock Cafe right next to the Hamilton. Itaewon is looking more American than ever.
We still had to stop at Starbucks. I love the Green Tea latte. I can't get that back home.

We don't have to be at KSS until Monday morning. So, we spend the entire day exploring and shopping. I found most of the things on my list before noon in Itaewon. Then we took the subway to Dongdaemun Market. On the way, I rediscovered a simple pleasure I had missed on my previous trip. There used to be a little vendor booth in the subway at Samgakji transfer station that sold little pasteries that were like small sponge cakes with a vanilla pudding center. Each one was bite size and you could get a bag of about 18 for 2,000 won (about $2) I used to smell them cooking before I could see the booth. As we walked thru the Underground Market near Namdaemun I could smell those pastries again and was delighted to find another vendor of these delicious treats. I would have taken a picture of the cakes, but we already ate them.

First thing we noticed after arriving at the Hamilton Hotel last night was the Burger King across the street was replaced with Quiznos and Cold Stone Creamery. This morning a walk down Itaewondon revealed more changes