Only so many hours in a day
Our last day was packed full of activities! We started off our day at Yonsei University. This visit was much shorter than the one in Xi' An and unfortunately we did not get much of a chance to talk to the students. We did sit in on a lecture taught by Dr. Megeehe on advertising. We then took a tour of the campus and were rushed around to the student center, the exchange student center, and their very impressive library. They had study rooms that could be reserved with your student ID. Computers and touch screen systems made by Samsung. It was furnished with comfy couches and had a modern look to it that made Kimble look foolish. We were served lunch in their faculty cafeteria in a private dining room for guests. Our tour took longer than planned and the president of the university could not join us as planned.
After the university we took a bus back into the city and met up with one of Dr. Kang's friends. She gave us a walking tour of the city and we stoped in on the folk art museum. Here we saw traditional paintings and got a chance to paint our own fan! Before we arrived here I was a little grumpy because the woman leading our tour was telling us things about the city we had already heard on the bus tour. Once given a paintbrush, I was in a much better mood. We were given a choice of bunny, lotus flower, or dragon fan and I of course went for the dragon. Our tour guide didn't join us in painting but she instead told us stories of the Korean war. She was older than our guide in the War Museum and knew a little more about how things were before North and South Korea were separated. It saddened me to hear her stories but she sang praises of her life now. I am glad she has seen better days and was willing to share them.
We went to Kimchi World to make our own kimchi. Tristan was the worst at it and I happened to be the best! The chef who was leading our class was very impressed with my work and quickly told me I was ready to get married. I looked puzzled so she explained that in order to be considered ready to get married in Korea, one must be able to make a good kimchi. I smiled at the thought of this and wondered if it truly was a reflection of my preparedness and what Chris would think about that.
We went to the old marketplace for dinner and I ate fried lobster tail for $0.50 each. Dr. Teets and I split a garlic cake made of rice, corn, garlic, other veggies and then deep fried. I sat in silence and wondered when the next time I would be here is. It was sad but I was happy to have been here and happy to go home. There is still a long airplane ride ahead and the stay in the hanok, a traditional Korean house. Since we were out all day and night we did not really get a chance to experience the hanok. It was more of a nice place to stay and I enjoyed hanging out in the courtyard. We left far too early in the morning but I was getting anxious for my return.
After the university we took a bus back into the city and met up with one of Dr. Kang's friends. She gave us a walking tour of the city and we stoped in on the folk art museum. Here we saw traditional paintings and got a chance to paint our own fan! Before we arrived here I was a little grumpy because the woman leading our tour was telling us things about the city we had already heard on the bus tour. Once given a paintbrush, I was in a much better mood. We were given a choice of bunny, lotus flower, or dragon fan and I of course went for the dragon. Our tour guide didn't join us in painting but she instead told us stories of the Korean war. She was older than our guide in the War Museum and knew a little more about how things were before North and South Korea were separated. It saddened me to hear her stories but she sang praises of her life now. I am glad she has seen better days and was willing to share them.
We went to Kimchi World to make our own kimchi. Tristan was the worst at it and I happened to be the best! The chef who was leading our class was very impressed with my work and quickly told me I was ready to get married. I looked puzzled so she explained that in order to be considered ready to get married in Korea, one must be able to make a good kimchi. I smiled at the thought of this and wondered if it truly was a reflection of my preparedness and what Chris would think about that.
We went to the old marketplace for dinner and I ate fried lobster tail for $0.50 each. Dr. Teets and I split a garlic cake made of rice, corn, garlic, other veggies and then deep fried. I sat in silence and wondered when the next time I would be here is. It was sad but I was happy to have been here and happy to go home. There is still a long airplane ride ahead and the stay in the hanok, a traditional Korean house. Since we were out all day and night we did not really get a chance to experience the hanok. It was more of a nice place to stay and I enjoyed hanging out in the courtyard. We left far too early in the morning but I was getting anxious for my return.