Time for Giving Thanks

Bob arranged a visit to the company's plant which is located on the southern coast of Korea in Yeosu.  This strategically timed visit allowed us to drive to nearby Geoge and spend Thanksgiving with Stephanie, Ben and Emma.  While Bob was in meetings at the plant, I went exploring and found a historical area from the 1500's.  It was a military post used to repair boats during a war with Japan.  The coastline is stunning and a welcome contrast to the concrete jungle of Seoul.

We purposely chose to drive the length of the country to see the land and to get an idea how long it would take us to drive down to visit our children.  The drive through the mountainous terrain was pleasant with tunnels cutting through mountainsides all along the way.  The challenge was getting into and out of Seoul, which took us about 2 hours each way.  The five hour drive took us seven.  We'll have to time traffic better next time!


Celebrating Thanksgiving in a foreign country is a bit of a challenge.  If you can find a turkey, it's likely to cost the equivalent of $80-100.  And then it won't fit in your oven.  Koreans don't bake, so if you have an oven, the inside is probably no bigger than 17" wide, 15" deep, and 12" high.  Thankfully, Ben's work planned an American Thanksgiving at restaurant under construction and provided cooked turkeys.  Those attending brought all the side dishes and desserts.  It certainly wasn't as cozy as being home, but we did enjoy all the traditional foods!  Emma outfitted us with headgear and we had a fun celebration!

We took advantage of the amazing fall weather and took a hike to a waterfall not far from home.  Visiting the Korean War Memorial provided a wonderful history lesson for all of us.  The Korean prison camp was located on Geoge Island just 60 years ago, and it still brings back haunting memories for many of the older generation.

Koreans are still very grateful for American aid given by our servicemen and women and have great respect for our nation and it's people.

A Preview of Things to Come

While searching for a place to live, we got a little taste of Korean life.  The weather in November was gorgeous and we loved the showers of fall leaves upon our heads as we walked the streets of Yeouido where we stayed.  Yeouido is an island community in the middle of the grand Han River which runs through Seoul.  We love the inviting river parks around the entire perimeter of the island, and the beautiful park which stretches through the center of the town.  We became familiar with urban life and high rise buildings with unique artistic features.  The 63 Tower has become a well recognized icon since it's debut on the cover of the popular "Sim City" video game.  We enjoyed eateries with carefully prepared foods and fine dining tucked away in building complex basements and on high rise rooftops.

Bob learned to drive our sporty new BMW.  We found our future home at the top of a 32-story tower in the heart of town.  And Bob became familiar with his new office at work.

We located The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse and temple.  A sleek mall and movie complex were found nearby at "Times Square" along with a Costco warehouse!

We were informed of the annual lantern festival on the Cheonggye Stream near Seoul City Hall.  We asked our driver, Mr. Kim, to take us to view the festivities.

I think we will survive!

The Adventure Begins

A preview of life in Seoul helped prepare us for the big move we anticipated in January of 2012.  Bob and I were fortunate to spend the month of November, 2011, in South Korea looking for a place to live.  I spent the first week on Geoge Island off the coast of Busan with Stephanie, Ben and Emma.  It was not by chance that I spent the first week at their home, while Bob had meetings in China.  Stephanie and Emma had vacationed in Beijing the previous week with a friend.  In an unfortunate accident, Emma was knocked about 15 feet off an exit ramp from the Great Wall of China and ended up with a broken femur.  To make a long story short, after a couple of nerve racking days in China hospitals, she was finally put on an emergency medical flight back to Busan where she was fitted with a Spica cast to wear for about five weeks. We owe Terri and Craig Davis a huge "thank you" for their assistance in Beijing!  They were truly a lifesaver for Stephanie.  I spent my first night in Korea in a tiny university hospital room with Stephanie, Ben and Emma.  It was another one of those tender mercies that put me there just in time to help my family in a time of need!

Emma will forever win the game, "Two Truths and a Lie"!  Who could ever imagine . . .?

On a happier note, while visiting the island, we were able to do some sight-seeing and enjoy the beautiful weather.  A visit to the beach and the botanical gardens was just what the doctor ordered.

Of course, good food and get-well gifts will mend anything!  (Especially Korean barbeque and ice cream.)

A city view of Okpo from their penthouse roof lighting up the night!

We will be returning soon!