we've done some pretty cool things the past few days. unfortunately, so much of it has required long bus rides often, and i think we're pretty tired of that dead time. without sleep at night, we've gotten good naps in; however, we end up more tired afterwards. and today will only be filled with more, and probably longer, rides. we've travelled out into the countryside of korea, if it can be called that. it seems that even after driving out of the city for an hour, high rise buildings, mostly apartments, are still present. the rest consists of rice fields. the mud festival sunday was interesting more than anything. it seemed catered to "foreigners" and that word appeared everywhere: restaurant for foreigners, toilet for foreigners, lockers for foreigners. they were even giving away mud soap-but only to foreigners. so it was definitely an event catered to tourists. we've also visited the hyundai plant in asan, toured the presidential house (more like the presidential grounds), and seen a musical that was very much like the american movie step up. scattered in between has been some shopping. i've also, at the recommendation of my professor, found a very neat tea shop in the insadong neighborhood. the area is known for its shopping and many art galleries, and we've visited there a few times. the tea shop is hard to find, hidden away, without english words to mark its spot. we literally had to get out the korean characters and compare them to the ones on the building. sarah and i went saturday and then alex, scarlet and i went monday. both times we sat and read or journalled and drank the best tea i've ever had. i have gotten hooked on plum tea, and the older lady who runs this shop makes it very well. i took one picture of the place, but it really doesn't do the atmosphere justice. today, i must leave seoul to head for other sightseeing ventures elsewhere. the next few days look busy, and before i know it, i'll be on a flight headed back home.
p.s. happy birthday mama!
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