Wednesday in Seoul

Updating my blog with my journal entries: So from June 10th.
I thought I would try to soak up as much culture as possible today and keep myself awake. We woke again in the middle of the night and got ready at 5am. Tried to type notes into my blog but the heat and the office did not open til 9am and closed at 6pm. Had breakfast, got directions to where to catch the city tour bus and set out. We passed the beautiful temple and shops. At one point we were lost and a non english speaking man tried to help. He was right. We made our way down to Cheonggyecheon River. They had flags of countries, a sign saying, "We thank those countries who supported South Korea during the war." They also had a great photo display. After we passed a nice man approached Joe, his english was amazing. He wanted to thank us for supporting South Korea during the war. He was a previous general. I am amazed by his gratitude and wish those that had served could have been there with us. We then boarded the city tour bus. It is an easy way to travel, listen to the headset in your language and get off where you want. We ended up going to the Korean Folk Village (we saw weaving, played games, and walked onto a Kimchi press event). Then to the Seoul tower, didn't pay to go into the tower, instead hiked the mountain. Finally we went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. There we walked onto the changing of the guard. It was so beautiful. Joe went photo crazy. School children sought me out, testing their english and taking my photo. Did I mention I stick out. I almost passed out at 1:30pm, but after a coke I pressed on. We dressed in royal dress and saw the royal family march. The place is huge. By 2:30pm I was starving so I decided to try Korean Food. I ordered a cool chicken salad dish. But arrived as part soup with salad, noodles, chicken and a chunk of cold ice on top. It also came with dill pickles and very spicy kimchi (remember no drink is offered, except a small cup of water). I dove in eating much to Joe's suprise. He order rice cake. But got a rice dumpling stew. He was not as brave. We then headed back to our room. I tried to type the blog, but no air or window made me sick. We then headed ton Insandong Market. Filled with artists, tourist vendors, traditional wares and street food, it was alive with excitement. My Korean speaking returned a little and I enjoyed talking to those I could, and figuring it out with those that I couldn't. Some how translation was not a problem. We bought gifts for family, fiends and Nate. Joe sampled street food and we got the photos the foster mother took developed. We returned to our room. My stomach could not handle Korean food, so Joe went in search of McDonalds (at home I wouldn't touch it)fries. On his way back he watched a monk paint a scroll, who asked Joe for fries and he gave Joe the scroll. This was the highlight of Joe's day. I am falling in love with the people and the peace here. today was an amazing day.