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

We Just Landed

After arriving in Incheon, we wait for a bus to the Hamilton Hotel,
Itaewon. After dropping off the luggage in the room it's time to go to
the Seoul Pub for a night cap then crash for the night in the comfy
Hamilton Hotel.

Fortuitous Upgrade!

As we prepared to board the flight from Tokyo to Incheon, I was
surprised when the attendant scanned my ticket and the computer flashed
"Seat Not Found". Uh-Oh, what could this mean. She says, "Are you
flying with Mr. Torgler?"

"Yes, I am." She tears up my ticket then hands Bill and I new tickets.

"You are upgraded to Business Class."

"Cool!" As Bill and I march into the Business Class seating and take
our seats in the very comfortable lounge chair seats we are immediately
offered a pre flight beverage. Back in coach, a beer is $5, its
complimentary in Business Class.

As soon as we take-off, we convert seats to lounge chair mode and kick
back and snooze for a while. We wake up just in time for the in flight
meal. I had missed another beverage earlier when Bill could not wake
me. The attendant told Bill "The way you were snoring before you got
up...there's no way you're waking him up if he's as tired as you." But,
I did wake up for dinner. Yes, that's real silverware, not plastic in
the picture. Today's menu: Chicken Curry with Rice, mushroom broth soup
and a nice chardonay.

Off to Tokyo

I was still well rested and happy to have elbow room since the seat
next to me is empty.

You can tell its early in the longest leg of this flight. Bill is still
smiling as he gives thumbs up.

Wait In Detroit

We had a few hours to kill in Detroit. Long enough to have a Starbucks
coffee and McGriddle sandwich for breakfast then a beer and Coney dog
before take-off.

Early to Rise

We arrived a Akron Canton Airport at about 5 a.m. and waited until
Northwest opened for the day.

T minus 2 days

In 2 days, Bill and I travel to Seoul, South Korea. We have both been there before and look forward to a return trip. Korea is a beautiful country with wonderful people. And the food is fantastic! On the last trip I journeyed with Mark and Doug. Mark blogged our journey. It was such a great idea, I decided to do the same on this trip.