Bring on the Kimchi!!: October 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Mask and Music Show While at the Folk Museum

Our Visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace

On Sunday the group of new missionaries went on a day trip to explore Seoul and visit an ancient palace. The palace we visited is the largest out of 5 in the city. The experience was surreal to me and looking at pictures I look like I could have been "Photoshopped" in. We had a tour guide who led us around to many buildings where meetings took place, as well as to the living quarters. She told us some of the history of this palace. The architecture was so intricate and beautiful. Also, we saw a mask and music show and toured a folk museum. We had a very fun time and I enjoyed taking lots of pictures (probably did my dad proud)! Overall, it was a great cultural experience in the country.

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Beautiful mountains in the background

Can you see the dragons on the ceiling?

Professional business meetings on the floor...hmmm

Look at this ceiling!

The rabbit is the zodiac for my birth year, 1987

Inside the Folk Museum

Monday, October 24, 2011

Korean Cuisine

The food has been interesting and awesome! It is very flavorful, sometimes spicy, and includes lots of vegetables.

Here are some examples.

Sweet and sour pockets with rice, mandoo (vegetable dumplings), kimchi (in red)

yummy vegetable soup with mandoo

Bibim bap (rice, vegetables, and egg)

The dish is served in a hot stone bowl. You mix the ingredients together and it cooks the egg. It's extremely hot to touch! It was very good.

Side dishes

Vegetable pancakes (not sweet, very tasty)

Bibim bap ready to eat

Kiwi salad dressing; they have other flavors like pineapple and blueberry

A Trip with Missionaries and Locals

At the Seoul SDA Language Institute there is an "All Day Club." The members of the club choose to spend most of the day studying to learn English and learn about Jesus. The 13 new missionaries went on an adventure in Seoul with these students. I was very impressed with the protection, hospitality, friendliness, and care they gave to us as we traveled. They helped us with communication, taught us how to purchase subway tickets, took us shopping, and to a traditional tea restaurant. I was so comfortable and felt the love of Christ in the people. Other people that I have spent just seconds of time with have been helpful and friendly as well. I have experienced a tremendous gift. I have learned more about Christ through the people of Korea in just this small amount of time. Praise God!

Am I Really in Korea?

Wow, so much has happened since I first arrived in South Korea. The days have been packed with fun activities, training, outings in the city of Seoul, worship services, teacher preparation, paperwork, and exploring. Checking out new places, seeing new things, hearing a new language, experiencing new (not always pleasant) smells, and tasting interesting new food has been quite the adventure! I have enjoyed meeting missionaries from all over the world and citizens of South Korea. Hearing about different cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds has been challenging and exciting. Amongst the struggles and joys I have often had to deal with the reality of being in this foreign land. The first few days I would say at least once a day “I am really in Korea?” I would feel like I was just in a different part of the United States, not on the other side of the world. I have grown in my comfort level for the area that I am staying in, used the subway system a few times, ridden the city bus (which is an extremely popular way of traveling and pretty inexpensive), and communicated with people who understand very little English. I will continue to embrace the “newness” and learn how to live in this country!