Lotus Lantern Festival 2013 Seoul, South Korea

So glad to be back to blogging! Took a couple of weeks off from seeing sights and focused on getting together with new friends and establishing a new routine and schedule, but enough of that and back to more Korea. This week Darren is gone on a trip to Okinawa, Japan for the military and Emmalyn and I were VERY GRUMPY to be left behind while he enjoyed a beautiful pacific coastline, and as he reminds me often, a very boring military course. :) We girls couldn't let him have all the fun, so we decided to join our friends at one of Seoul's largest and most attended events of the year, the LOTUS LANTERN FESTIVAL. This event is a two-day event comprised of a large parade, delicious street food and of course the main symbols, lotus flowers and lanterns. The event is to celebrate and honor Buddha's birthday and is a set near the Buddhist temple, Jogyesa Temple. 

The Buddhist lantern-lighting ritual, symbolizing wisdom, began in 918 with the Goryeo Dynasty, can't even wrap my mind around that kind of date, and has continued ever since. Today, the parade is to symbolize and promote global communication and harmony. Emmalyn and I enjoyed all the color, culture and kind people. 

Before the parade, we had so much fun walking around the beautiful gardens close by. There were many different traditional performances, but this one was AWESOME!

I am always completely amazed at the garden and landscape here in Korea. I could spend all afternoon leisurely walking around through the beautiful flowers and so could Emmalyn. 

One of the best parts about exploring and adventuring in Korea is all the lovely friends we make along the way. It never fails that someone, or a lot of someones, stops and says hello. While we don't know what they are saying, it is always conveyed with warmth and graciousness. There is never any hostility that we are sharing their beautiful country with them for awhile. One thing I wasn't expecting, and have since learned, is that the average Korean can not distinguish which country we are from. I was expecting to be pegged as Americans very easily and right away, but I have been asked many times, "What is your country?" They just know we are western, but can't determine if we are European, Australian, etc. Yesterday, for the first time I had a man say, "OH, AMERICAN!!!!!! AMERICAN!!" He was very exuberant and joyful about it and bowed to me and it was very unusual, but I will take it! Definitely never had any of that in France! :D

Emmalyn is growing increasingly fond of talking with people and has begun to just accept their pats.  She is especially happy when she encounters another child. 

 We encountered some Buddhist Monks while out and about and decided to take their photo.

Things quickly got out of hand, in a funny way. . . 

The monks decide to share their head with Emmalyn . . . (loving the people in the background)

 Emmalyn isn't sure what to think about wearing a monk head and I couldn't stop laughing long enough to be of any assistance. . . Eli is showing a bit too much interest, because . . . 

Out he goes!

Next time think twice before showing that much interest Elijah!

Thankfully the monk surrendered Eli and we could all go enjoy the parade. These are our lovely friends who were so kind to let me enjoy the two-day event with them while Darren was gone! Blogger shout out to Bob and Teresa Dunning!

We got our lotus and our lanterns!

 Dinner! My lovely friend, Teresa told me about these steamed buns and they were delicious! For all you Coloradans they are almost exactly like Cabbage Pockets! Just with a Korea flair. These are called, Hoppbang (sp.?)

 I learned to write my name in Korean! -Photo by Teresa Dunning

 All the girls of the group and a random guy. --Photo by Bob Dunning

 Teresa and I were able to dress up as traditional Korean brides. photo credit-Bob Dunning

The costumery was beautiful.-Photo by Bob Dunning

 I purchased two beautiful new fans. A large one for myself and a small one for Emmalyn. Packing them away for safe-keeping.

We briefly visited the temple and this was right outside. Everything was literally dripping in lanterns.

The need to take a nap overpowered her interest, maybe next year . . . 

We had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful weather, learning about new cultures and taking in all of the beautiful lanterns. This is one of the reasons we came to Korea with Darren, we wanted the chance to soak up another culture and learn about the way of life for other people. So thankful for my friends who made it possible for me and Emmalyn to go and for all their help and photos! Darren, walking the beach in Japan has nothing on this beautiful festival . . . :)

As we near the end of our first month in Seoul, I begin to have a picture of what our daily life and routine will look like. I have learned some lessons on living abroad that I thought I would share with you.

1) Never, EVER forget anything when you are at the grocery store!

It costs roughly 10,000 WON or around $10 US dollars to get to the commissary (military grocery store) via taxi and takes about 15 min both ways. So there is no "quick trips" for a few things. I'm notorious for forgetting a few ingredients and conveniently had a Wal-Mart about a 1/4 mile from my last home. We always have the Korean market down the street, but the sun-baked fish smell mixed with sewer will quickly make you forget about buying food and have you running for cover. There are pockets of fresh, spring air, just not in the markets.

On the flip side, I don't want to buy too much, because hauling it through the lobby, up the elevator and to our door is a workouk; however, The doormen are always willing to lend a hand. They are always bowing and smiling and helping. My American determination is a bit uncomfortable with this.

2) Never, EVER leave home without your address written in Korean.

Unfortunately, we are unable to communicate where we live to anybody who doesn't speak English. We got into a taxi a couple weeks ago and sat their trying to work it out with the cab driver-- we ended up walking home and promptly had our realtor write our address down. Now, upon entering a taxi, I just shove my phone at them with our address typed out. It works every time.

3) I don't know how to work ANYTHING!

Even the simplest tasks are difficult when it comes to living abroad. I don't know how to work the following items:

* oven
* washer
* dishwasher
* front door
* elevator
* subway gate
* ATM
* sliding doors at stores
* websites that require my address
* McDonald's delivery
* restaurant ordering



I tried to order McDonald's to my front door, because they have McDelivery and it was raining and I didn't want to drag Emmalyn out. Needless to say, didn't get past my address before I hung up. I was unable to communicate to the lady where I lived.  I didn't want McDonald's anyway, on the other hand, maybe the doorman would help?


4) If I ever want to shop again, I need to loose about 30 lbs (a good reason not to learn my address!) and shrink about 3 shoe sizes.

Yes, it is true, Asian women are overall very small structured. Yes, my good American build makes shopping almost impossible. Darren had a suspicious glimmer in his eyes when I told him this!

Despite many failed attempts to appropriately function, we are learning fast and always have a good laugh. Our spirits are high and we are still loving the people and the base. Exploring new sights is an ever growing desire and some of the things they do as a country and government make a lot of sense. We can learn a lot from our time abroad, but it also makes us appreciate the American way of life that much more.


We have had a great time visiting palaces and seeing elements of traditional Korea and elements of modern Korea. The city of Seoul is perfect balance of ancient and high-tech and a fusion or Eastern and Western culture.

Made for shorter men.

Palace entrance

Trash Art. :)

Buying chopsticks is serious business.

Namdaemun Market

Walking through a traditional market.

Our apartment!!

They are very considerate of small children here in Korea. We ate at Bennigan's, YES I KNOW, why would we eat there in America, much less Korea, but I appreciated how they catered to Emmalyn.

Something dried, with legs/tentacles, I didn't try it.

Korean gardeners outside our skyrise. Fastest grass planting I have ever witnessed. They all had little seats strapped to their derrières. :)

A few days after moving in, we realized there was no microwave, so the built-in hot plate came in handy for reheating oatmeal.

The washer/dryer combination. After some translation, and much button pushing, I successfully washed clothes!