At a brisk pace, we went up a hill and down and then another, asking for directions all the way. So HOT! So HUMID! We found it at the top of a hill with Chicago Pizza as its marker. I found it funny since Mom and Dad live in Illinois now. The guard would not let me take pictures inside, but I had taken several outside. Apparently, the former prime minister of Korea had been there exercising and there were security concerns.
We left for the Korean folk village at 10:30 a.m. Some of the others went shopping instead. The village depicted life only 40-50 years before. June said she remembered using some of the tools to sift rice from its husk when she lived in Korea. She was adopted when she was 10 years old. Dr. Park remembered his farm house to be just like the one shown only smaller. Wow!
When we were looking at souvenirs, a lady grabbed Jenny's hair and twisted it into a chopstick ornament. Jenny was unexpectedly cooler and also even more sophisticated at the same time. She was sold on the ornate hair piece! Later we wondered if we should purchase a scroll or key chains at the folk village or at Namdaemun. Namdaemun is an outdoor flea market famous for its discount prices and loads of merchandise. We kept saying:
- Scroll? Namdaemun!
- Purse? Namdaemun!
- World Peace? Namdaemun!
Later we were barely able to board the bus because it was packed, but Linda came and rescued us as she had already boarded. The Nelson-Kennedy family sprinted to board while Dr. Park held the bus for them as well. The door kept opening and closing indecisively.
On the train ride home, Michael, Aengus and I began remembering favorite scenes from "The Office" and were shushed as we were laughing out loud.
We went to dinner with Korean adoptees including Jane Jeong Trenka of The Language of Blood. Nicole and Nari, Korean adoptees living in Korea, also came. Carolyln, Jen, Christy and I laughed and laughed. We were thinking of ways to demand a discount at Namdaemun, to avoid the English speaking "mark up."
"Hey, this country robbed us of our names and birthdays! We're reclaiming them with a mandatory 50% discount!"
We also heard that the Sesame Street song "Not like the others" was deemed inappropriate after some transracial adoptees protested. When 3 pieces of fruit and a ball were displayed, we wondered if someone cried, "I felt like the ball!!"
After dinner, my host family dropped off my hot rollers!! So kind!
When we were discussing who would be joining in on Allison's birthday celebration, someone observed, "None of the older group is going."
Allison quickly stated, "Jackie's going!"
I immediately pointed out that the packet of tissues and the hand sanitizer in my purse would beg to differ. Older? Really?! (c;
We ended up at Mike's Cabin for drinks--a bar formerly owned by a Korean adoptee from Wisconsin named Mike. He happened to stop by later in the evening and spoke at length about US economic policy. We toasted Allison's 23rd birthday with Lemon Drop shots! Delicious! The shot glasses were more like juice glasses. We danced, and the song of the evening was Low by Flo Rida. It was also fun to hear from Nicole. This group of KADs (Korean Adoptees) living in Korea feels like an exclusive club with survival instincts, an iron will, passion, tragedy, tenacity, coolness, and an ability to network. It reminded me somehow, of my Teach for American corps, for some reason.
I followed Jess and Katie home at 1:30 a.m. Jessica wasn't feeling well. The others stayed and partied a little longer.
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