Saturday

Happy Sunday morning from Seoul! I'm excited to report that it is 7:30 in the morning and I just woke up. I was awake for a bit around 3:30 a.m., but other than that I finally slept through the night. I think I finally may have adjusted to the time change. 

Yesterday morning Aiden and Luke went to work out at a gym. When we reserved this place, we saw there was a gym in the basement. This was a selling point because Aiden is supposed to lift weights this summer for football. When we arrived we found out that the gym costs 20,000 won a day per person to use. That is about 15 dollars which adds up quickly. Our host arranged for us to use the gym she goes to- a 9 day pass for 30,000 won a person- which is a lot more economical. I didn't get a pass because weight lifting isn't really my thing. I'm sure no one is surprised.

After the gym we ventured to the COEX mall in the Gangnam area of Seoul. My heart was set on one particular destination- the Starfield Library. I had seen pictures and wanted to see it in person. I wasn't disappointed. First, just the idea of a library in the middle of a mall intrigued me. Then, the thought of a library equipped with a Starbucks and a bakery was fascinating. And finally, I knew I had to see the massive bookcases. In some ways it was like any other library. There were people spread throughout the library reading books. There was an area with magazines. There was a children's section, a fiction section, topical sections, etc. And there were several books I recognized, but when I opened them, they were all in Korean. It was quite an experience! But it was also hot. Most of the mall was underground, but the library had 2 levels with sun streaming through the windows which made the library feel like a greenhouse. Luke and the boys grew bored quickly. I could have stayed much longer.

In the evening Aiden and I ventured out to the Han River. Luke and Jordan were wimpy and fell asleep. I can't blame Luke. He's been working every night from about midnight to 4 a.m. But Jordan just has had a hard time adjusting to the time. He keeps falling asleep at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Whenever we have a moment of downtime he falls right asleep. And then he goes right into his deep, nighttime sleep and is impossible to wake up.

There is a tradition of eating ramen on the Han River. I had to try it. Aiden was up for it too. If we had known what was ahead of us, we probably would have waited a day. First, it took us well over an hour just to get to the Han River. We didn't realize, but yesterday was the day the new Korean president was moving into the Green House (like our White House) and it drew crowds. There were also other activities going on around the city. All of this meant that the buses and the streets were packed. It took forever for our bus to arrive. And once we boarded, we realized that the bus was packed as well. Every time we approached a bus stop we hoped that some people would get off. But no. We would see a big crowd at the bus stop and they all would get on. We were so packed in there. I've never been so smushed. I did start talking to a Korean gal and she said my Korean sounded good! I think she was just being kind- most of the conversation was in English and I only spoke a couple phrases. Even so, I felt proud.

When we finally arrived at the park, it took us a bit to find out where the ramen was sold. Once we found the convenience store with the ramen, Aiden noticed the chicken and had his heart set on that instead. I looked at my phone and realized that I had about 5 percent battery left. And Aiden didn't have his phone. I quickly looked up directions home and tried to figure it out before the battery died. By the time we got our food and settled down to eat, it was getting dark and we had to get back up again and find the bus. It took some doing. There were a few moments when I thought Aiden and I might have to spend the night in the park, but eventually we found the bus stop and made our way home. The ride home was the exact opposite. At one point Aiden and I looked around and realized we were the only ones on the bus! But we did it! We navigated the trip all by ourselves without the benefit of a smart phone.

The bookshelves at the Starfield Library.

The children's section at the library.

Korean children like graphic novels too!

The unique cultural things intrigue me- this is a drink cart at the entrance to Under Armor. People would put their drink in there while they shopped and then pick it back up again when they left the store.

This blue path was found throughout the mall. It made the floor a little more cushioned.

Even the gym had cultural things- Aiden was required to change into the gym's shirt and shorts before working out.

We are all getting quite adept at using the subway!

The ramen making stations at the Han River. It's a whole thing- google "Eating ramen at the Han River" to learn more!

The rainbow fountain at the Han River.

It was a beautiful evening.

My traveling partner. What a blessing he is!