Drying the harvest

Koreans are big into drying out their harvest so that they can use it year round. I think this is a great concept. However they just lay it out on any old blanket anywhere, beside the trash, on the sidewalk, a parking lot, the playground, etc. I don't think this is such a great concept. I just can't believe that this is just the norm. They are not worried about germs, filth, animals, insects or humans tainting their goods. They don't even have them up off of the ground! Korea must be cleaner than the US. Everywhere we walk these days there is something out drying. Here you can see red peppers - a staple here in Korea, some acorns - I thought acorns were poisonous, two types of mushrooms, and what looks like zucchini.

The Show must go on!

On Labor Day here on Post there was a circus. The performers were from the Dong Choon Art Circus. It poured rain all day long so most of the other activities were cancelled. The circus was set up inside a tent, which didn't hold up very well to the amount of rain we had. These performers went ahead with their acrobatics and stunts despite the tent falling down around them. In the second picture I am not sure you can tell, but the guy on the bottom is on a up on table and he is standing on a board balanced on a round tube so he is keeping his balance the whole time side to side. Then this second guy climbs up onto the platform on the first guys head. He also does the same balance board trick, but adds tossing and catching bowls on his head to the act. One raindrop coming through the roof could have been dangerous if it landed just right. In this picture and the one of the tightrope walker you can see the tent ripping because of the rain behind them. This was a fun little circus. The boys really seemed to enjoy most of the performers. We saw, Contortionists, trapeze artists, a tight rope walker, performing dogs, hula hoopers, a chair stacker, an acrobatic lady swinging from a rope, a break dance group, performing dogs and the Motorcycles in a cage. The boys were totally fascinated by the dogs, and thrilled by the motorcycles. I thought since we were so close to the motorcycle cage it might be too loud for them, but they were entranced. Apparently the break dancers are a world champion dance team named b-boy. Who knew that Korea had world champion break dancers. As part of the other labor day activities we had our family picture taken with a piece of moon rock and a guy dressed like an astronaut. Stew got to eat one of his favorite meals "Monkey on a stick". It is actually marinated chicken on a bamboo skewer, but Joe told him once that it was Monkey and the name stuck. Stew thinks it is great stuff. He is a goof. Despite the rain we made the best of things. We even went shopping in the "ville" the little shopping area outside of post and got some incredible deals because business was so slow due to the rain. After all of that walking in the rain we were soaked by the time we made it back home. We then dried off and took one of Joe's guys out to dinner because it was his last night in Korea.

McDelivery Anyone?

Yes, you read that correct McDelivery. McDonald's in Korea delivers. Can you imagine how much worse our obesity problem would be in the States if McDonald's delivered? I still thought it was funny. McDonald's here also features unusual items like shrimp burgers and corn salad on the menu. So, just a short post about how life is different in Korea.

Happy Birthday to me....

Friday was my birthday. On Saturday after church we invited some good friends to go out to eat with us at ORAE Buffet, a Korean Restauraunt. Joe and I have eaten there before, but our friends had not. I particullary enjoy the fact that, since it is a buffet, you get to pick and choose what you feast upon. My favorite is the Bulgogi, which is seasoned and marinated beef. Sooo Yummy! Traditionally at a Korean restauraunt you have to take off you shoes when you go in the door, and you get to sit on the floor on flat square pillows. There is a little grill in the center of the table where you get to cook your own food. After cooking your food the traditional Korean way to eat is to take a lettuce leaf, fill it with meat, rice, vegetables (I prefer tomato and garlic), form it into a ball of lettuce and shove the whole thing into your mouth. I am not so good with the shove it all in your mouth in one bite. But it is delicious none the less. How ever we did get brave this time and tried eel, and baby octopus. Let's just say we have tried it once and that is enough. One couple we took wwith us loved it, the other couple had mixed feelings. He loved it, I think she hated it. It made for a perfect birthday dinner, good food, great friends, good conversation and some adventure. To top it all off, Ice Cream cones are even included in the price of dinner. What more could a girl ask for? Happy birthday to me!