Krembendous: Maria and Dave's Visit

Well, we were sad to say goodbye to Maria and Dave, but it sure was nice to have them visit us. They saw a ton of Korea and I think they now have a good feeling for what it's like here and what our life is like. They seemed to have a great time.

We picked them up Friday 10/12 at the airport in Incheon around 7 PM or so. They seemed to have fared quite well on the flight. By the time we got back home around 9 or so, they went to bed and were up before us the next morning ready to go. They didn't seem fazed by the jetlag at all. We were impressed. So, for the weekend, we toured around with them on the subway and up to Seoul. Saturday, we toured up Insadong, walked the Cheongycheon Stream in downtown, visited City Hall, Namdaemun Market and back to Samsung Plaza for dinner.

The rest of the week-

Sunday- we walked around our neighborhood and went up to Central Park for a nice walk.

Monday- Maria and Dave went up to to the Gyeongbukgung Palace in downtown Seoul while we went to work. That night we ate Korean BBQ.

Tuesday- Maria and Dave visited work with us and then traveled up to Olympic Park.

Wednesday- we hosted 15 friends over for dinner with the Olsons. We had some tasty pasta along with Jen's white chocolate cheesecake.

Thursday- we met Maria and Dave at Samsung Plaza for takalbi dinner. BBQ chicken, veggies, rice and cheese. Very tasty!

Friday- Jen and I had a conference on Yongsan Army Base and met Maria and Dave afterwards to visit Seoul Tower for sunset. Amazing!

Saturday- up early for the DMZ trip followed by a run to Seoul Station for the bullet train to Busan.

Sunday- walk on the beach, fish market, lighthouse and park, Piff square, and Myeongchong.

Monday- boardwalk, beach, and bridge. Back to Seoul.

Below are some pictures of their visit. I know they have more and would share if you ask.

This is an awning at a nearby park called Central Park.

Beautiful park nearby Samsung plaza.

This is Namdaemun gate in Seoul city center.

Here is City Hall. Everytime we've been up, there has been a festival.

Crossing the Cheongycheon stream in downtown.

Maria, Jen and Dave checking out the wares in Insad0ng.

Amazing view up top of Seoul Tower of the Han River. We had never been, so this was a great opportunity.

Night city scape.

We shared our new favorite Korean food, takalbi. It's chicken BBQ with veggies. After you eat about 3/4 of the chicken, they bring out rice and cheese to mix up. Of course, it's cooked right in the middle of the table.

Riding the subway home. Maria got to experience the sleepers that just pass out on your shoulder.

At the DMZ, the day was clear so you could see the North Korean flag quite well.

Dave checking out the border of the DMZ. Across from him is the North Korean side.

A North Korean soldier up close. There was a North Korean tour group there just before us.

Inside the negotiation room, you can see the South Korean soldier inside and outside you can just make out the profile of a North soldier back-to-back. In a minute, the North soldiers marched off with their famous high leg kick.