We started the day with our new friends Heather and Jonathan (another couple adopting through Holt) touring the National War Museum and Memorial in Seoul. It's a powerful reminder of what Korea and so many other countries endured and lost in the Korean War and other wars. A powerful symbol at the end was a "tear" made of 1,300 ID badges of soldiers who died in the Korean War. It was a significant learning experience for all of us.We then hit the markets! Seoul has utterly endless markets -- street vendors, underground markets, above ground markets, "malls" that are actually hundreds of stalls put together in multi-level department store style. 
Of our purchases, two of the most meaningful were "hanboks" for each of us. Hanboks are the traditional Korean dress for both men and women that are worn mostly just for weddings, but always for a child's first birthday celebration called a "tol." Tae's foster mom gave us a hanbok for Tae's tol, and we wanted to have some of our own to celebrate Tae's heritage. Here I am getting fitted for my hanbok.
Of our purchases, two of the most meaningful were "hanboks" for each of us. Hanboks are the traditional Korean dress for both men and women that are worn mostly just for weddings, but always for a child's first birthday celebration called a "tol." Tae's foster mom gave us a hanbok for Tae's tol, and we wanted to have some of our own to celebrate Tae's heritage. Here I am getting fitted for my hanbok.
Then we celebrated our final evening as a family of 2 by going out for dinner at one of the top rated restaurants in Asia. It was a full traditional Korean Buddhist meal with 32 - yes, 32 - different tiny plates of vegetarian dishes that you eat with chopsticks while sitting on the floor. 
And every night this restaurant puts on a traditional cultural performance with Korean dancers. At the end they handed Mike a cymbal and me 2 fans and brought us up on the "dance floor" to dance with them -- we danced til we were dizzy! Fun! Here we are after dinner -- our last as just the two of us!
And every night this restaurant puts on a traditional cultural performance with Korean dancers. At the end they handed Mike a cymbal and me 2 fans and brought us up on the "dance floor" to dance with them -- we danced til we were dizzy! Fun! Here we are after dinner -- our last as just the two of us!
We'll end with a few scenes of Seoul -- we have loved this city and look forward to bringing Tae back some day!
The first is Samsung's office building:
I am so enjoying the pictures of Seoul. Your hanbok so beautiful! Mine is kind of ugly. :( ANyway, so exciting that today is THE day!
ReplyDeleteRachel says to tell baby Tae: "Dear Tae, You can come for a sleepover when you are older with your parents too. Also, stop wiggling now!"
ReplyDeleteWe are loving the stories of your adventures in Seoul and will be keeping you in our hearts on this most momentous day. All our love, JMOR
I'll be thinking of you guys tomorrow!! But even more so on the next day when you have your long flight with a squirmy youngster! Praying for a safe trip back home for the three of you. Love, Joan
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the BEST feeling in the world? Holding your child in your arms!? Thinking of you in these days...Laurie Arroyo
ReplyDelete