End of the Road

So, I pick up where I left off last night.

Around 10:15pm, I got a text that the girls were at a little chicken place at the entrance of the hotel. Since I had felt fine since 8pm, I decided I'd go hang out for a bit...probably not eat anything, but just enjoy some conversation since I had missed the talk time. Well, I did end up eating fries and fried chicken...and drinking...all while thinking, this just doesn't seem like the best idea, but I feel really fine. So, we had a BLAST!! We (very silly-ly) compared eyes, hair, talked about if each other had to shave their legs (a resounding no!)...stuff we really have no one to compare these things with at home...and it's things like this...things I didn't even realize I have no one to talk to about (well, to have such physical similarities) that make this trip so special. Sorry, I said things a lot, but this is just another thing (sorry, I'm cringing at my own lack of vocabulary) that I just have a hard time putting into words.

Got back to the hotel room around 12:30 am and still felt fine. Woke up in the morning and packed and headed to breakfast. At this time, I was feeling 90% fine but didn't want to push it with a big breakfast, so for the first time on this trip, I had cereal and yogurt.And actually, if I was feeling 100% I probably would've had the curry because I LOVE curry...so much I would've even had it for breakfast, even though that's just so weird.

 Then I headed to the beach for a few minutes before we headed out for Seoul. I had only seen one sand art creation from my room and I was surprised there were so many. They were so cooL!!  It blows my mind that people would destroy works of art like this. UGH.

 Then we took the bus to the train station and started our trip back to Seoul.

I slept for a bunch of the ride. It was so smooth and nice!! We sat "backwards" which was kinda strange. Then we took the subway to Insadong. So many cute things...from donut holders, to cups, all the signs are just more interesting. The doors to the subway were pretty cool too.  It was HOT walking around. Of course, I found some more socks. Then I headed back to the hotel where I got my big suitcase (Yay, I had clothes again!). I got ready to meet up with Yoonhee again.

Yoonhee knew I had been eyeing all of the Anne of Green Gables products, and she was so sweet...she brought me some when she arrived at the hotel. Then we took a taxi to Myeongdong and she put up with me shopping. Finally found two clothes items that were made in Korea, were cute, and didn't cost as much as my plane ticket. Also found "presents" and last minute CUTE stuff.

these stamps were adorable and now I'm kicking myself for not getting one. And a metronome...old school? Who even uses this anymore (other than my daughter) let alone, thinks to put it on a stamp.

yeah, so check out THIS crafty monster I got. Made out of paper. Good luck to me and whomever will help me. HAHA

PA represent.

Seems like we just were in college a year ago. Can't believe it's almost been 20!

 Did I mention all the cute stuff? Yeah, I could've spent HOURS in this Art Box store. Oh my gosh...so cute and so many photo op spots with big huge animals :)

So, as I was successfully walking back from Insadong earlier in the day, I realized that everyone was Korean and I had stopped noticing that everyone was Korean and it was just the norm. Then I saw this pic Yoonhee took of me tonight and was thinking...wow, look how (other than the fact that I'm getting my pic taken in the middle of the street like the super tourist I am) normal I look and how I don't stick out. Here, when you see an Asian person, you don't think , Look there's an asian person. When you see a Caucasian person, however, you DO think, oooh, look there's a white person...mainly bc I just like to eavesdrop and hear a little english every once in awhile, haha. This is like the conversation with my girl friends earlier. Something I wouldn't even think about because I had never been in a situation to think about it. But now, I have been...and I think it'll be pretty different to get back home and notice that while I haven't found many people I look tons like, I certainly look more like them than those who will now surround me back home.

Then Yoonhee dropped me off at the hotel where the farewell dinner was going to take place. I wasn't too hungry, and I certainly didn't want to get sick, so I didn't have much but the meal they provided did look great.  The corn soup was actually awesome and reminded me of home!!! Not TX, like home home, the place I say when people ask me where I'm FROM.

 The president of Eastern came to visit and she spoke...she's so cute!! Also gave gifts to bus driver and Jenny, our tour guide. Then each family also spoke about the trip and we gave Dukkyung a gift. We watched the power point which turned out great.

Got back to the hotel and I got my new bracelet with my Korean name on it. It's very beautiful!! 

Then I started my blog entry and now I'm pretty exhausted. I actually set my alarm for 11:15 in case I fall asleep. I packed a lot but then I bought a lot so now I have to pack some more. Leaving hotel at 5:45am. I know I will have many reflective posts, but for now, I actually might have to take a short nap so I can concentrate a bit more and be ready to leave in the morning. Signing off from Somerset Palace, Seoul, Korea.