Departure at Billund airport
In just a few hours we will be leaving for Korea to join the camp for 2nd generation adoptees for the intensive Korean language camp hosted by Overseas Korean Foundation. We had booked a flight with KLM from Billund to Amsterdam and from there to Seoul we would be going with Korean Air. I wanted to give the authentic feeling of Korea from the beginning which is the reason for choosing Korean Air. Previously other airlines have been chosen for obvious reasons but this time together with Laust and Ida-Marie my heart was set for Korean Air.
The flight was uneventful and passed without any problems. We had 비빔밥 (bibimbap), watched some movies and got some sleep. Because of Laust’s age he is travelling on a children’s ticket meaning he got an extra treat which was an 뽀롱뽀롱 뽀로로 (Pororo the Little Penguin) pouch to much envy of his sister. This was only our first Korean character based item but many more to come. Travelling with Korean Air was really pleasant and brought back memories from my first trip to Korea back in 2004.
We would arrive in 서울 (Seoul) a couple of days before the camp started which gave us some time to see the family. We were greeted by 주미 and 허유 in 인천국제공항 (Incheon Airport).
Gifts from my sister
They took us to our apartment in 중구 (Jung-gu). Before they took off we had a small dinner snack at Pris Baguette our favorite pastry from our last trip to Seoul.
We received some gifts from 주미 which were electrical fans for all of us. In August the sun is at its peak and every Korean have a fan where ever they are.
At 카페베네 (Caffé Bene) just across the street we had 빙수 (Pinsu) a cool korean ice dessert with ice cream, shaven ice and fruit toppings.
The apartment was chosen due to it’s central location. For the few days we had before the camp we would like to be close 명동 (Myeongdong) and 청계천 (Cheonggyecheon stream) and the subway station 충무로 (Chungmuro) was just next door.
After unpacking our stuff we went for an evening trip along the Cheonggyecheon stream before going to rest. It was around 22:00 in the evening and back in Denmark it would still be bright day. The temperature was still high and humid so it would be some warm days to come. Anyway, the three of us were still very excited about the adventure we would have the next 10 days here in Korea.
The apartment we stayed in was just a single room with two beds and a sofa located on the 21st floor. It was fine for the three of us for the three days we would stay there. We bought some bread and yoghurt at the local shops for breakfast. The aircondition was leaking when it was stopped creating a big pool of water on the floor eventually, so we decided to keep it turned on all day.
The next day we had a busy schedule and would spend it with 주미 and 허유. Luckily 허유 has a car where all of us can be seated, so he acted as our driver during this day. First stop was to visit the cemetery where my father was buried.
Cemetery view
We were picked up in the morning and then we departed for Yongmi-ri, Paju. Before arriving we made a stop to buy a bouquet for the grave. The site itself is placed on a hilltop with a beautiful view of the surrounding. Upon arrival at the site I was put to the test of locating my father’s name on the gravestone. I was a bit nervous but after a while I succeeded to point it out among 300 other names. Being here again after the events of my father’s burial a couple of years back also brought back the memories of everything which happened at that time. I have regularly been receiving pictures when my family have been visiting and I feel glad when I see how well the are doing now.
After our visit at the cemetery we got back to 허유 house to visit 희수 and see their new born baby-boy 서울. On the way we stopped at a Kimbap place to pick up some lunch before arrival. We enjoyed our different kinds of kimbap while see our new cousin for the first time.
First time visiting our new cousin
From their apartment there is a very nice view of the countryside in 김포 (Gimpo). It contains 3 rooms and a bathroom. One room contained all of 희수 books she is using in her work as a math teacher. They had acquired a lot of different baby stuff and many of them looked like things which we could also get back in Denmark, like a baby mobile.
After the visit we took off to visit my 고모 (aunt). Here we spend the rest of the afternoon before going out for dinner at a restaurant just next door. Here we enjoyed 불고기 (Korean BBQ). It was very delicious and we all enjoyed it a lot.
Once back at our apartment we were not really tired yet, so we decided to go for a quick evening walk into Myeongdong being just a 5 min. walk from here. On the way we passed the 5 story high 다이소 (Daiso). This is a low budget store which sells everything in foodstuffs, utensils, stationery, toiletries, fashion, cosmetics, DIY’s and all kinds of household items. Much like Søsterne Grene as we know it from Denmark. Myeongdong is always busy and at 22:00 it was still crowded and all shop were open.
The next morning we had our usual breakfast, bread from the shop and some small yogurt. My sister would come and pick us up at around 10am to spend the day with us.
We had planned to go to 동대문디자인플라자 (Dongdaemun Design Plaza, DDP) as it is a really nice place and the last time we visited there we saw a cool exhibition for children. This time we were lucky that a special Disney animation exhibition was at display. Featuring 500 original works, sketches, and concept art of Disney’s animation studios. The exhibition showed the history and evolution of Disney’s animation process.
Across the exit the Kakao friends’ shop was located. Here you can get everything with the popular characters from the Kakao Talk app. Besides stationeries a lot of photo options with Ryan and his friends were possible.
Afterwards we went to VR 일루션월드 서울 (VR Illusion World Seoul) It is located just right next to DDP. To reach the floor of the VR park we took an outside elevator where you had a nice view of DDP from a bird’s perspective.
My sister had recommended to visit the VR park and we were not disappointed. After stepping out of the elevator we got to an entire floor full of different VR games. At first we got a protection mask to wear underneath the VR mask to protect it form makeup.
We tried all different kinds of games and Laust could have spend all day there.
>>Insert Movies<<
We all love sushi so for dinner 주미 showed us the way to a very nice Sushi buffet restaurant in Myeondong. On our way there we stopped to buy a new set of hoodies as the ones we got last time we were in Korea were too small. And it turned out to be the same market stall where we got the old ones. The restaurant did not look like much from the outside but once we entered the restaurant we were met with a vey large variety of different sushi rolls, side dishes and much more.
After finalizing our dessert we parted with my sister and her friend and we headed back home to our apartment. On the way we passed Artbox, a 3 story high shop filled with GALAPAGOS FRIENDS. Korea is famous for all its different characters and this shop is a must for all fans of these characters. We spend a good deal of time here even though we already had seen the KakaoTalk and Line Friends shop already.
The first couple of days have been really good here in Seoul. Being with family and experiencing some new things have been really awesome. All of us have enjoyed our time here but tomorrow we will say goodbye to our small apartment and join the camp with the other participants.
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