As the line goes... "When in Korea..." You get out. You see the country. You experience the culture and all it has to offer. Just leave your desire for personal space back in your home.
We started the celebration by hitting up the Buddhist temple on base to make lanterns with some of the other wives and kids while the guys were TDY.
It was gorgeous out the few days we headed to Seoul. We took the bus with friends (a group of 20 or so of us) from the base to Seoul. Once we had checked into the Dragon Hill Lodge, we walked to Vatos Tacos (see other post regarding Vatos:)) and on our way back we caught a glimpse/picture of the Seoul Tower.
Hoping on the subway for the first time. First time ever for the girls. And first time having such an issue for Mom. Thankfully people in our group had been on it before and were great tour guides.
Harrumph to my friend Andrea who has no kids, just a hubby TDY, but braved the adventure with all of us and our kiddos.
Mommy and her girls on the subway
As we walked through Seoul, I recognized a few places. Anyone for some Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks?
I got a kick out of this. Yet another Starbucks but this time the name is smaller in English.
Kids: "Mom, my feet hurt. I just want to sit down." "Mom, I'm hungry". Me: "Guys, deal with it. We'll sit down soon and get you situated for the parade". After literally seeing the starting point we'd been at like 45 minutes earlier, we thought we'd ask for some help from the passing "Guides". When they began talking to each other, we started to wonder if they themselves knew where to go. Eventually we found a spot to sit and catch all the action.
Who could resist a waffle with some whipped cream type getup in the middle? That was the biggest smile Emily had on her face all night. Thanks to Mr. Flint pictured below.
Nichole got the first lantern. Throughout the parade, the Koreans will hand out lanterns to people. At that point we decided we needed to get each family we were there with a lantern.
Emily with her lantern.
The Koreans loved having all the kids there.
On the way home on the subway, still bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Quite a sight in the Korean subway. In case of emergency.... gas masks will be available. Um, thanks?!
That whole thing of thinking we'd get a lantern per family, I think we got at least 5 lanterns per family! I know my girls at least came away saying "this was the best night ever" and when I talked to them about all the walking and complaining, they tell me "it was all worth it". So, mission accomplished. It was a fun adventure and one for the scrapbooks (whenever that finally happens) :) I'm glad I pushed to get out and do something and got other wives/families to join me. It always cracks me up how right after getting to a new base, you wouldn't think to be taking an overnight trip with anyone. Only in the military life... where you always have an extended family.
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