Vacation Part 1!

Changnyeong, Gyeongju 경주시, Changnyeong English Village

Valerie and Don arrived late Thursday night. Their plane was one of the last to land before the airport closed. As they went to the restroom before our long journey to CEV we were approached by a taxi driver asking if we needed his services. I have learned the hard way that if they are asking DON'T GO. We tried to ignore him because his asking price was too high. I haggled with him and he wouldn't budge so I bluntly told him we would find someone else to give us a ride. He followed us pointing to his taxi "come on this way" I told him we would go for 90,000 won (He wanted 100,000 won) He said fine, so we followed him to his car. The whole way home he would come up with funny ways to tell me that he wanted 100,000 won instead of the 90,000 we agreed on. I was getting annoyed, Don and Valerie were laughing really hard. 

Friday we rested and wandered around our little area.

Rice!

They couldn't get over how beautiful it is here!

On Saturday we attended a taekwondo competition and exhibition and watched our friends compete. Most of them did well.

 My Korean sister, Yu Jin

 A student I had during Summer intensive program, Tom

Performing a poomsae on the right is another one of my students Jay.

 Some girls from Summer Intensive and Cyber School

 MONKEY FACE!!!!! With Sohee, Master Park's Daughter.

 Sohee took pictures of "Mother" and "Father"

Our Taekwondo show group performed for the Governor and other visitors.

Right after the show was over we took pictures with the Governor and other important people, sorry no pictures of that yet. Then Richard and Suzi took us to Gyeongju to show Mom and Don some beautiful historic sites.

First stop was the Bulguksa Temple.

Second stop was a Buddha carved into a cave on top of a mountain. You were not allowed to take pictures of him but the area is beautiful.

Third stop was dinner because we were starving. Richard and Suzi took us to their favorite local restaurant and we ate like Kings and Queens.

Suzi taught me how to pick out the bones and cut up this AMAZING dish. The Kalbi (beef) was Delicious! 

Fourth and Final place was the Anapji pond. It was sardine-can packed full of people.

We got home around 11 :30 PM and went straight to sleep!

Sunday our school opened for 2 hours to give a tour to a group of taekwondo students from China. We were excited to see that our taekwondo friends came also.  Mom and Don got to see our school and help out in the fun-educational learning. 

 The group that came.

 Don, Valerie, Master Park (Taekwondo teacher) His wife Jung Mi, Lauren, Nick, and Sohee

Nick, Don, Valerie, Richard, Lady from China, Suzi, Principal from China, Lauren, Owner of taekwondo gyms here and in China.

Mom and Don receiving a gift from China. They were so surprised!

 Nick's activity in Camp Mart.

 Lauren's activity in Airport and Hotel.

Mom made a Chinese friend "Vivian"

We had such a great time the last few days hanging out around our area. Next stop is Andong and Seoul. Can't wait to share more picture. Please leave comments!