Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. We spent a few days in Busan and leave tomorrow for Seoul for a departure on a one week tour around the country. In Busan we enjoyed the most famous beach area in Korea ... much different from the summer when we were there with the Jangs and umbrellas to rent covered the place. We went to an aquarium and on a one hour boat ride. The boat ride gave us a really good feel for the harbor city nestled among mountains (Busan means many mountains; san is mountain). There is an observation tower in Busan, so we had good views from there too and especially of the port with so many ships coming and going. There is a huge area of small shops and outdoor vendors, and Michael quickly found a new belt and wallet. We also visited the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, where Korean War casualties from 11 different countries are buried. It was beautiful and there was a good 15 minute movie. We took the subway everywhere, which Michael likes a lot. There were a couple of nice parks for walking and seeing the sea. The weather with highs in mid 40s and sunny was very nice for walking around and being outside. From subway stops, we were almost always walking several blocks.

We found the street with lots of Christmas lights (one of my goals/plans) and also finally found the small theatre that had a show. Prof. Jang had checked online for us to see if there were any activities like that near the lights. We were told "down the escalator" at the top and "up the escalator" at the bottom. (It's about 5 levels.) Well, both were right. I noticed a place about 1/2 way up/down that had posters about the lights. At these sort of level areas there are businesses like coffee shops too. When we went in to ask, we were at the small theatre. It turned out to be a Christian acting group with the show having a mix of very funny parts and serious parts. The setting was in a park at a stand where a woman makes a sweet treat to sell; we have seen these places so understood how it could be the hub of a neighborhood street or park. A very nice fellow stood behind us (we sat in the back row in case we left early) and did some translating. So much of the humor was visual that Michael was really having some laughs. He was so skeptical beforehand, but I told him it's good to check things out. We took a break from our walking and went into a coffee shop ... and we have now become hooked on hot vanillas. It's like hot chocolate but they add vanilla powder instead of chocolate powder. I try to tell myself the (whole!) milk is good for me... never mind the sugar and dried oil in the powder.

Our hotel breakfast was typical Korean: rice, kimchi, lettuce salad, and one or two other types of salad (e.g., dried fish one day and bean sprouts another day). Hot dogs are also available (and ketchup and mustard too). I went for the salad. Michael had hot dogs and white bread toast. We both ate the small oranges that are grown in green houses on Jeju Island - they are delicious. We found that our Korean language reading especially was helpful. We set out for restaurants in the evening, and both times they were down small alleyways where taxis cannot fit. So we had to read the signs to figure out where to go .... and there are a LOT of signs in Korea, most of which are lit up. The baked eel dinner was our favorite. Well, Michael did also like the TGIFriday's cheeseburger he had one day for lunch. He is so good about going to Korean places that I don't object when he wants the occasional Western meal.

My mom is still in "stand by" for surgery. Her next chest x-ray is Monday. They are seeing how her lungs look after bronchial infection. We talked to her and to my dad today. She has been doing all that they tell her to do with OT, PT, etc. They are very hopeful about Monday and will be so disappointed if they don't get the "go ahead." Please pray for clear lungs.

We hope you and your families are having a great holiday. Michael and I are thankful that we have the oppotunity to experience some new places in Korea.