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.