Update

It is 5:30 in the a.m. Sunday for us (4:30 p.m. Saturday home time). Neither of us can sleep. I talked to Lacie earlier and she asked when we were coming to get her. It made me cry after we hung up. I held it together when we talked on the phone. I knew she would miss us and I know that is healthy - but in some ways I hoped that she would not. But except for a few moments of missing us, she has done remarkably well - according to friend Bette. Bette has thought Lacie was perfect - and having her 24 hours for three days has lifted the veil somewhat. Our daughter is VERY strong willed and and determined and will let you know verbally. Otherwise, she really is good. Thank you so much Bette, Mike and Noah for helping care for our girl. We know she is in awesome care and she is loved. Bette has sent pictures of the kids playing and reading and just having a wonderful time.

We did not do much Saturday due to rain. We went to COEX to the book store and got Won-U some books with both Korea/english. We got a map of Korea (we got one of China for Lacie) and we ate a lot of fun food. The food court at Hyundai Department Store was pretty fascinating. There was a "fast food" section and then areas with food vendors but not so "fast food."
Afterwards we contacted another adoptive mom (Tamm) and her daughter and their friends for dinner. Tamm is part of retired military family and is actually back in Korea for a LONG visit trying to adopt another child but not through the traditional U.S. agency. She has lived here MANY years, considers Korea home.

Anyway, we had some authentic Korean food somewhere off the Express Bus Terminal exit in Gangnam. We had to transfer trains and survived.

Here is a list of foods we have tried since we have been in Korea:
On airplane we had Bibimbap. It was veggies and rice and red hot paste and sesame oil - mixed together with seaweed soup. The Bibimbap was good - the seaweed soup was well, seaweed soup.

Our friend Chris told me that on Friday we ate:
Andong Jjim Dalk (Pronounced "Jim-dock"). It was an entire 1/2 chicken and potatos and carrots - mixed in a mildly hot soupy sauce. We at with rice. It was very good.
Then we had a doughnut thing called Hot-dduk. It was GOOD.
We then went to Myeongdong and had Mandu (dumplings) and Kal-gook-soo (noodle soup).
In Insadong, we tried tea.
We returned to Gangnam and had Galbi (ribs) with his girlfriend Hana. It was a special kind -- very thin strips (like bacon) instead of a full rack. Hana actually cooked it over a open grill on our table. It was terrific. After it was cooked we put a strip in a lettuce leaf with Kimchi and other "veggie sides" and ate them. Ummmmm - probably my favorite.

Some observations:
When out an about on the street, Koreans will typically not look at us in the eyes.
When walking around - it is very normal to "get where one is going" and if it involves pushing ahead, walking in front of us, etc. That is ok, and not rude. In fact we had to begin doing the same things to survive and it is not considered rude on our behalf. It does feel uncomfortable though to cut someone off trying to board a train.
Bowing is a sign of respect in greeting here and has become almost natural to us now.
It cost us about $4500 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Yes, $4500. That is about $4.50 dollars. It is finally normal hear when purchasing something, "$30,000" (only $30 U.S.)
A few Koreans will approach us to practice english. I have enjoyed that.
They are very kind and if we look lost, they will offer help. We look lost ALOT - imagine how many people we have met.

About the plumbing: John observed that they do not have "elbows" in their pipes. Therefore the sewer gas is smelled off and on. It sort of scared us at first in our room - we thought it was natural gas leaking. UGH.

gotta run - will post our flight info in the next post. No pictures this time but will try and get one or two up next. Yesterday we took very few pics - I feel horrible we did not do sight seeing - today will be the same but we will try and brave it anyway.

Love to all:

Vonda and John