"We're almost there (Take 2)"

Sunday morning we were there when the doors of the Seoul Museum of Art opened and spent the next two hours wondering through the new Rodin exhibit. The Thinker, The Kiss, Burghers of Calais, two floors, two cargo jets, fifteen tons, - all originals - brought to Seoul for a 6 month exhibit. What an unexpected opportunty!

Seoul Museum of Art
Then, with Alice leading the way, another 6 mile hike along the stream that runs through part of Seoul, through the city, hunting for birdseed for Alice and an arch support insert for Doug. ( Why do we do these things???) After a much longer hike than we imagined, (even Alice's feet hurt) we met with sucess at the end of the stream. Trudging back until our feet gave out, we gave up and finally hired a cab to bring us home.

Downtown Seoul

Buildings landscaping

Modern buildings

Changing of guard at Gyeonghulgung Palace

This stream,which runs through the city of Seoul, became the place where immigrants from rural Korea set up the shacks in which they lived and small markets and businesses. The stream became so polluted and the area so slum-like, the government forced everyone to leave, raised the "buildings", filled in the stream, and built a freeway over it. Twenty years ago, leaders, thinking environmentally and green, took a look at the city, decided they needed green space and areas for the populace to walk and relax, destroyed the freeway, uncovered the stream, and built miles of lovely walkways and picnic areas alongside it. It's fabulous! Certain sections have lazer light shows at night and families, couples, tourists, and basically anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city (3 times the size of New York City), head for the walkways that were once the freeway they drove on.

Cheonggyecheon stream 1900s

Stream being covered in 1950s

Stream covered by highway

Cheonggyecheon stream today

Walk along the stream (

Start of the stream in downtown Seoul

Fashion district along the stream

Seoul urban development along the stream

Dongdaemun shopping district

Dongdaemun clothing stores

Need shoes?

Seoul East Gate in 1880s

East gate today

Roof in east gate arch

Stone wall around east gate

East Gate

Monday morning, Alice went back to work, I visited the three first grade classrooms at SFS, and by noon Doug and I were on the KTX speeding through the countryside heading for Daejeon. Thanks Alice! What a terrific weekend!

"We're Almost There! "(translation - We've got a long ways to go, baby!")

Sat. morning, May 1, Doug and I headed via KTX train to Seoul to spend the weekend "adventuring " with Alice E. After a truly American breakfast (Alice is the ultimate hostess) we grabbed our cameras, headed out the door, walked through the back gate of Seoul International School, and followed Alice on, "a little hike".
"We're almost there. It's just a little bit farther. I think this is the way." So said Alice E. Approximately 2 and 1/2 hours, 6 sore feet, 1 really sore ankle, 6 aching thighs, and 3 hot bodies later,  there we were, on the top of a mountain (Angsan) peak, overlooking the city of Seoul. Beautiful! Worth the hike.The amazing thing - it sits right in the middle of the city - and right out the Engstrom's back door.

Bullet (KTX) train station

John and Alice Engstrom's home at the Seoul Foreign School

Our mountain walk

Alice and Mary along mountain stream

Thank goodness for water along the way!

Seoul skyline from top of Angsan Mountain

Fire signal station set up centuries ago for protection

When you go up you have to go down.

More water! Thank goodness.

Prayer rock pile - Common throughout the mountains

Exhausted, we took an alternate route back down the mountain, landed at a beautiful old Buddhist temple (Bongwasna), meandered, took pictures, hobbled home, went to church, and then into the city once again to eat "Mexican" and celebrate the birthdays of Douglas M. and belatedly, Alice E. After a  terrific Mexican meal with no added kimchi, we headed home and dragged ourselves to bed. A great day!

Prayer Drum in temple

Temple ceiling

Home of 5000+ golden Buddhas

For a small fee you can have one made for you.

Hall of the 5000+ Buddhas

Centuries old clay Buddha

Old temple, note rice sacrifices on floor.

Ancient Buddhist symbol

These large unusual figures line the walkway entering the temple grounds. What are they? Your guess is as good as ours. These are a few of our favorites.

On the way to Doug's and Alice's birthday dinner. Crowds waiting to cross the street near Seoul Foreign School.

Happy birthday Alice and Doug