Heading Home

There's so much I will miss - first and foremost, time with Isabel and Loren.
After that, in no particular order, the food, diversity of ethnicity and language, fantastic public transit, cheap taxis, seeing the world through a different lens, shopping, kindness of strangers helping us after that horrible fall, and kindness when we were unsure of directions, etc., sightseeing in Bangkok and Daejeon, and just being on vacation.

Last good Asian meal for many months.

And boarding - so long Asia -  hope to see you soon!

Friday - last full day

Nice leisurely morning - breakfast in cafe/gallery by hotel.  I continue to be impressed with how many Koreans have embraced minimalist decor.

Then a stroll across the bridge - tired of braiding up the curls - letting it all hang out!

On we went to very interesting exhibit at Daejeon Art Museum - subject was "Cosmos".  Sure we missed a lot as there was no English, but here is a shot of me and Loren inside a planetarium made of very lightweight aluminum.

Not sure what this is but it was very cool

A last dinner with Isabel, Korean, American and Canadian friends. Lots of hugs - can't wait to see her stateside next year.

Thursday - On Our Own

Isabel very kindly took Tuesday and Wednesday as vacation days - and was a great guide.  Today we are on our own, but she gave us excellent maps and directions to explore Rodeo Town, a trendy shopping and dining area.
We found a potential new career opportunity for Andrew - teaching in a drum school.  Imagine his face on the poster!

Loren had a fried chicken taste off at the food court - between a local version, and Popeyes.  Popeyes won.

M

He found a new hat - with fold down polar fleece ear flaps - will definitely be styling his winter!

And finished the evening with dinner with Isabel and her boyfriend, Adam.  Dinner was Bibimbap, a delicious Korean dish of rice with a variety of ingredients to mix in.

Then we went to a beer pub, for some pretty good brewskis.

Wednesday - Daejeon wandering, part 2

Today, Isabel walked is all over town. Such a treat to wander around with her, and see how well she navigates and knows the city.  Having great autumn weather helps too - clear, mid 70s with a slight breeze.

Here here we are crossing the pedestrian bridge by our hotel, with Land of Oz silver tower in background.  

Lovely flowers that I remember from Corpus Christi - does anyone know the name?

These huts are reconstructions based on Bronze Age foundations - very interesting - wish we knew more about them.

Cruised through a store called E-Mart - sort of like a Walmart, only on 3 large floors.  Ground floor is grocery, 2nd floor housewares and clothes and 3rd floor (seen above) is all electronics 

Then on to the Galleria, 11 floors of merchandise and 2 floors of food courts.

Leading out to the subway was a wall of murals, where Loren displayed his prowess in catching bill fish and fighting dinosaurs.

Wednesday - Daejeon wandering, part 2

Today, Isabel walked is all over town. Such a treat to wander around with her, and see how well she navigates and knows the city.  Having great autumn weather helps too - clear, mid 70s with a slight breeze.

Here here we are crossing the pedestrian bridge by our hotel, with Land of Oz silver tower in background.  

Lovely flowers that I remember from Corpus Christi - does anyone know the name?

These huts are reconstructions based on Bronze Age foundations - very interesting - wish we knew more about them.

Cruised through a store called E-Mart - sort of like a Walmart, only on 3 large floors.  Ground floor is grocery, 2nd floor housewares and clothes and 3rd floor (seen above) is all electronics 

Then on to the Galleria, 11 floors of merchandise and 2 floors of food courts.

Leading out to the subway was a wall of murals, where Loren displayed his prowess in catching bill fish and fighting dinosaurs.

Tuesday - Wandering Around Daejeon

Isabel met us at hotel, and took us to a cafe for coffee.

Then we went for pastries - amazing selection and delicious

We walked down and ate by the river - and took a touristy picture

Then to the "old market"  - vendors selling all sorts of prepared condiments (Korean meals are served with all sorts of side dishes, Kim chee always, pickled vegetables, soup, and relishes).  Sometimes I wish I had a spy camera that could take unobtrusive pictures - so many tradesmen working at a craft - from sharpening knives to repairing sewing machines, shoes, electronics and watches.  All of them working with minimal and dated equipment.

And the food selection was amazing - from animal parts you seldom see on to carrots thick as your forearm to 6 different kinds of mushrooms - all of it very fresh.  

This is beers at dinner - sorry Raymond

At lunch, found images from one of my all time favorite movies My Neighbor Totoro

We went back to the "new market" for skin care products and some great art stores.  Back to hotel to rest before a great Indian dinner with Isabel and her boyfriend, Adam.

Monday - Travel Day

Farewell to Bangkok and our lovely hotel.  Must say that we were pampered with turn down service, daily change of sheets, and most of all, the outstanding friendly staff.

On to the airport, where warrior heroes stand guard

The women in left foreground is cleaning statue - gives you an idea of the size.

Good flight from Bangkok to Seoul - then express bus to Daejeon.  

Below is a view of Isabel's street by night - we went for Korean BBQ and an early night.