Seoul Grand Park

Yesterday we met with our good friend Joanna. She is staying in Seoul visiting friends and training in taekwondo. We know her from Cole's Taekwondo back home. she joined us today for an excursion to Seoul Grand Park to visit the zoo. Weather forecast was for rain, but we are prepared. With umbrellas in hand we went to explore a zoo with very few other visitor. The only other visitors were small groups of hikers. There was a dolphin show that was a private show for us since there were no one else there. Korean children are still in school. Between that and a rainy day, we are the few who came to see the show. During the show Joanna was asked to volunteer to touch the dolphins.

 

Seoul Pub

No visit to Itaewon would be complete without a visit to the Seoul Pub. In the early afternoon we beat the crowds that usually frequent this establishment. And one can get a glass of milk without a second glance from other patrons.

Special Day

Monday was the day we went to meet the foster parents of our children. We took a taxi to Korean Social Services, a trip Bonnie Jennifer and I were familiar with from escorting. Our children were only six months old the last time they were here. The foster parents were very excited to see how the babies they cared for are growing up.

It was a pleasure to see Ms. Lee and Mrs. Kim from KSS. They arranged this meeting and interpreted so the children could meet and speak with the foster parents.

Return to Jonny Dumpling

We decided to give Jonny Dumpling another try for dinner. The restaurant behind the hotel was full. So was the restaurant in the alley across from hotel. As we stood outside deciding wether to wait or go elsewhere, Jonny, the owner walked up. He told us about his third restaurant around the corner and across the street. It is on the second floor and has more tables. We got a table there and enjoyed some egg&vegetable and some pork dumplings.

Jogyesa Temple

After perusing Insadong we went to the Kybo book store to find some good reading material. Then we walked over to the Jogyesa Temple.

Insadong

A new day to trek out and explore Seoul. this time we go to Insadong for some shopping. The girls have become quite the little shoppers. Amelia and Emma comparing prices of the souvenirs they want before buying. Arts and craft items to be found throughout the shops here.

Emma bought a painting. The artist posed for a picture with her. Amelia tries on the hanbok Jeniffer bought for her.

 

After Suwon

After visiting the Korean Folk Village, we made our way back to Itaewon on a long and crowded subway ride. We went to our rooms to freshen up then we planned to go to Jonny Dumpling for dinner. In 2008, Bill, Louis and I tried this place. It was great, inexpensive and great tasting dumplings. This time in our walk around Itaewon we noticed a second Jonny Dumpling on the street behind the Hamilton Hotel. We were disappointed to find that both had long lines out the door of people waiting to get in. There are so many night clubs in Itaewon now attracting huge crowds. Many restaurants fill up fast on weekends. We ended up going to Taco Bell and having bulgolgi tacos. I like these better than anything else at Taco Bell. But, I had my heart set on dumplings.