Amy and I were lucky enough to have another visitor this past week...My Dad!!
He was here from Sunday to Sunday. We were able to do many of the wonderful things Amy and I have experienced living in Busan.
Almost as soon as he was off the plane, we took him to our favorite Korean BBQ joint down the street. We call it "Red House." It is red, really close to our home (just like red house off Manor Rd.), and we couldn't read Korean the first time we went there.
Monday morning, Dad and I went for a walk down to the OnCheonCheon River. This is my favorite running path through the city. It is littered with beautiful flowers and tons of old Koreans doing their stretches, arm-pulleying, and holla-hooping....you know, the intense things in life. We got to eat our favorite Korean lunch at KimBopChunGook. We had BeeBimBop and some ManDoo (dumplings).
After work, Dad got to meet Ryan, Lyndsay, John, and Soo. We met them in the neoned streets of Seomyeon for some ChimDak. ChimDak, literally translated means 'Spit-Chicken.' It is a spicy dish of sweet potato noodles, peppers, onions, and chicken. Mashiseyo!(delicious)
-This was Dad's favorite dish of the week!
Tuesday was Buddha's 2,555th birthday, and also a national holiday!!!(no work!) We first went to show Dad the water temple, Yong gungsa. Amy have now been quite a few times, but it is still breathtaking every time. The entire complex was covered with lanterns for the festival.
Dad paid some respects to his Rooster. Amy and I are Tigers.
We had a delicious lunch on the beach in Haeundae and then hopped over to Gwangalli for some beers and a seafood dinner.
The fish market in Gwangan may not be as massive as Jagalchi, but it has most of the same wonderful options. I bartered for a good deal on some sashimi, two BBQ fish, and even got some sea cucumber for free!
Dad was a trooper the entire trip, and did not hesitate to try anything...which is something to brag about. Sea cucumber, sea anemone, and Soju!
Wednesday afternoon, Dad came to Reading Town to see how teaching is at its finest!
Wednesday night, we took it easy and 'down-home' with some grilled chicken, broccoli, spaghetti, and salad. Since Amy and I eat so much Korean food out and about, we try to keep in 'merican or Texan at home.
If you haven't noticed this by now, I kind of keep track of my life by when and what I eat....this would bother some, but it is one of my favorite things about myself. I love food.
Thursday morning, we got to show Dad the wonders of Spaland! I wished we could've stayed all day, but we had to go to work and Dad had to stay and get a massage.
After work, we took Pops to the Pajeon house. This traditional restaurant is one of our favorites for some good seafood Pajeon, spicy Bulgogi, and DongDongju.
Friday morning, Dad and I went to visit the United Nations cemetery and museum dedicated to the Korean War. The park was enormous, especially for Korean standards. Beautiful flowers and shrubs graced a perfectly manicured lawn and pond. Until then, I had no idea how many nations came together to fight for this tiny peninsula. The magnitude of the sacrifice was, at the least, unsettling. Hundreds of thousands of people died during the conflict between the North and the South. They are still dying today. The war is not over, for Korea, or for America. There are currently 30,000 American troops stationed in Korea. This is a fact that gives me hesitant solace.
Dad stayed to check out the museum and I headed to teach. Throughout the day, Dad walked a ton and had difficulty finding food, so he was a little exhausted by nighttime. Amy and I went for some birthday BBQ and then home to rest for the big day....My 25th birthday!
