Update on Seoul Days 3, 4 and 5

Since the last post we have been busy. We met our tourguide, Hyewon, in the morning at our hotel lobby and she took us to a beautiful palace that housed the king of one of the dynasties here in Korea. Interesting and beautiful. Then we went to a traditional Korean tea house and had the most wonderful tea! Finally, we did the NTower, which is on top of a mountain and 163 meters high. Within a few seconds in an elevator we were up and viewing Seoul and surroundings. Our tour guide was so sweet to take us around that day, especially after someone stole her purse on the subway that morning on the way to meet us. Day 3 night we were tired and grabbed food from the mall near our hotel and ate in our room.

Day 4 we decided to tour the Korean War Museum, a MASSIVE museum that outlines Korean history and the Korean War. This was right up Matt's alley! Lots of tanks, airplance and heavy equipment to see outside and inside. There was also a traditional Korean wedding taking place on the museum grounds that day. After 4 hours at the museum we were tired, had lunch and took a quick nap. At 5 p.m., after some searching even after our taxi driver dropped us off, we finally found where we were supposed to be for our food tour. O'ngo Food Communications does food writing, classes and tours in English. The owner, Daniel Gray, is from Delaware and has been living in Seoul for approximately 6 years. He was a Holt adoptee and was burnt out on his job in the states as a food writer so he decided to come and open up O'ngo Food in Seoul. He has done us all a favor as it was the most fun we've had this whole time. He took the group to 4 authentic restaurants -- each offering its own specialty of Korean food. His partner in crime, Marcus, took over half-way during the tour and led us wonderfully through the last few places. SMALL WORLD -- Marcus lived in OMAHA NE and was a sushi chef at Blue, Baby Blue and Kona Grill several years ago! No way! He had lived in Denver for more than 20 years and had finally gone back to Korea to be with family and is working with O'ngo. We were joined by 8 others -- Aussies, Japanese and a few other Americans on the tour. What a riot!

Today we are taking it easy this morning and will be leaving the hotel soon for some shopping.

In less than 24 hours we will be at Holt meeting our son! We can't wait -- even though we are nervous, anxious and excited as is probably normal.

We miss everyone tons, especially our dear daughter, Thea, and know she is in good hands with grandma Linda/grandpa Rich and now Papa and Mutti Duey.

Will post more later!