Favorite Things in Korea

Ok, I have to admit, one of my favorite things to do is stop for a restroom break at one of Korea's infamous rest areas. These really are little travel adventures in themselves. First is the adventure of getting into the busy parking lot and then threading through the traffic to the maze of shopping and restaurants that awaits. Fortunately most places are dual labeled in Korean and English. I don't understand the custom, but all the men's rooms are quite open visually to the public. You can look right in and see the urinals as you walk past. One I've stopped at even had the urinals tangent to a large picture window looking out over a river. Little privacy for the men's side of the house. Can't speak to the women's, though I been told that can be an interesting adventure too.

But the real adventure is exploring what you can find. There is all sorts of unique Korean foods available in the little restaurants. Convenience stores carry their version of treats and snacks. Most are much healthier than ours, but I have yet to find a diet coke there. Usually nice coffee shops, but serving are 1/2 the size of what we would be used to. But the best are the Korean Walnut Cakes. Little bite size breaded pastries with chocolate bean paste inside that are actually the size and shape of walnuts. These are delicious and cheap for what you get.

I say I need a potty break but what I really need is my Walnut Cake fix.

Spring is coming

Spring is finally coming to Osan. Still chilly today, but we've had some nice warm days.

It is also yellow dust season, which makes for some spectacular sunsets.

Have said goodbye to some great fellow airmen and am saying hello to some great new airmen I am looking forward to serving with.

Was out last weekend to a local orphanage where I was once again blessed by these wonderful Korean children. Not only did we play with them as usual, this time they demonstrated native Korean dancing for us. And they were really very good.

It's Daughter Week

It is daughter week, so says my older brother (at least in one way I'll always be able to describe myself as "younger".). So in celebration of this wonderful week I announce that I have the two most beautiful talented daughters in all the world. I am very proud of both of them and will be glad to be back home with them again in a few months.

Happy daughter week to my girls!

Wish I Was Home

(Click Picture)

Dae Dun San

Monday was a great day to be a born and bread Tennessee hillbilly as our chapel staff tackled some steep rocky out crops in South Korea. This is Mt Dae Dun San. For April, it was a bit chilly and the cherry blossoms are still sleeping here. But as we the final four of us made our way to the top, the sun broke out and the view was incredible.

A fairly stable cable car took us about 1/2 way up the mountain. Then we began a steep ascent to this swinging (yes it swang) bridge.

Then up this steep ladder, climbing between two rocky projections on the side of the mountain.












Here is part of the ascent from the tram up to the bridge. The steps were not typical of the rest of the trip up.

This is a view of the entire mountain from the base where we parked.
At the top the view was astounding. Looking down on the knoll we climbed to reach the ladder, it all looked incredibly small. It didn't take too long to reach the top though. Not really that far in distance but it was straight up (and straight down). Going down was harder than going up.

























Then those of us who climbed to the top visited the little shops on the street as we waited for those who didn't want to tackle the full climb to finish up their refreshment. There were nice looking shops and restaurants. Ate some fried ginseng root here. This is a popular treat in Korea. Supposedly very healthy for you. Tasted like deep fried tree root. Lots of fiber.

We stopped for lunch/dinner at a very relaxing restaurant in the area. I had my traditional Be Bim Bop, but I did try this for the first time --- octopus.

It actually wasn't bad covered in pepper sauce. It doesn't have much flavor on its own and is just a bit chewy.