A Seoul Sunday

Last Sunday Jin and I trekked around Seoul. We visited Insadong, a street lined with tea shops, art galleries and scrumptious treats. You can buy anything from tea and porcelin, hand pressed Korean writings and Buddhist statues to silver & jade. At one point in history it was the largest market for antiques; yet now a days I would question the authenticity of such relics. It is the perfect spot for tourists to pick up souvenirs and one of the only Starbucks in the world that has the name written in the native language.
Our next stop was the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square. This Confucanist king is most known for emphasizing education, something highly prized to this day in Korea. He pressed justice and righteousness. In addition, King Sejong recognized that a good government required men of broadranging talent and education. Under his rule Korea grew leaps and bounds culturally and intellectually, spurring the name The Golden Age. Jin and I pictured below at the King's Palace Gate.
Once our monument tour was over, we headed for a stroll along the iconic Seoul Cheonggye Stream; the stream once divided the poor located south of the stream from the nobility of the north. Fascinating to be in a place with so much history and culture! Thank you Korea for showing me your sweeter side and thank you Jin for being my tourguide.

Zach's 12th Birthday!

Most likely the coolest 12 year old ever, Zack (in the crown) joyously celebrated his last preteen year with fourteen 20-somethings. I believe this might be a world record for any 12 year old. :) We all celebrated the tow head's last trip around the sun by digging into mexican food at On The Border in COEX mall, a foreigner friendly mall that boasts 4 levels for shopping, eating and yes even gambling. We just kept it clean with some songs, virgin margaritas and cake. It was a wonderful evening! Happy Birthday Zach!