Everland

Everland.

Not to be confused with the former pop-star mansion Neverland. A place, like many others in Korea that fail to fully capture the identity of an American concept. Still it served its purpose to provide a day of entertainment that was surprisingly comparable to the "Happiest Place on Earth."

Surprise.

4:08 A.M. Sept. 19th. I bound onto the Jolene-shaped covers, bearing gifts of her soon-to-be most happy birthday.

"Ah!!! Go away!,"
"It's your birthday."
"Not yet..., what time is it"
"It doesn't matter, it's your birthday."
"(moan)..then let me sleep."
"Nope! Can't do that." (Watching for the swinging fists, thanks for the tip Chris)

After several belabored minutes, I rouse the sleeping monster and slowly watch her transform back into my wife as she opens up the presents: A Book, A Bag, A Movie. She says thanks and falls on the bed with far flung hopes of reversing her hasty metamorphous.

"If I were you, I'd get dressed."
"Ahhhh... why?"
"Cause I don't think you'll be comfortable in those pajamas all day."
"...If you were me how long would I have to get dressed?"
" about ten minutes."

Ten minutes later. Knock-knock.

"What is wrong with you people... the sun is not even up yet."

Louis and Lisa join the pre-dawn fun and bustle us out the door. We are later joined by Paul as we proceed to march Jolene towards the bus stop in the pre-dawn coolness.

"Where the heck are we going?"
"Not on your life...hehe"

We continue to harass her as she sits, shivering on the sidewalk waiting for the phantom bus to arrive. She makes a feeble effort to read the sign as it passes by but the four-against-one strategy worked well in our favor. Jolene boards the bus at 5:10 in the morning of her most Happy Birthday swearing under her breath about how she's going to get me back next year.

5:30 On the bus
6:30 On the bus
7:12 The sun rises
7:30 Still on the bus
8:30 Still, still on the bus
9:20 Approaching Everland (Korea's Disneyland)
9:22 Fastest-ever witnessed transformation from grumpy, morning-blues to squealing, clapping, happiness.

"WE'RE GOING TO EVERLAND!!!!"


Thus ends the birthday surprise and begins my wife's most Happy Birthday.

We love the Outdoors

Determined to get out of Gwangju we chose to visit Daecheon Beach "...oh ya you be'sit Daecheon. R'ike begas (Las Vegas)." Like many things in Korea, this place was way over rated. Laughlin gets six stars compared to this.

"Hey, at least it's got a beach".

We roll into town on the bus and are greeted by card-flipping solicitors peddling love motels with "exercise" equipment.

"Well, I guess it's a little bit like Vegas."

Because we love the outdoors we head to the campground in hopes of finding a decent spot. Finished setting up our Sierra Outdoors three-season tent we notice the gargantua-size "camping" tents surrounding our "hiking" tent. Tarps spread from one tree to another protecting the wimpy wal-mart edifices.

Fact: Koreans believe that their living space should be the same size whether at home or in the outdoors.

"Hey ours is small."
"But it super rainproof."
"...Yeah, like a superkid tent"
"Whatever, let's go to the beach."

It starts raining.

"It'll stop."

It keeps raining.

As we look for a place to eat the locals show up and flip their restaurant cards at us. Of all the things in Vegas that was the one thing they took back to Korea. Chicken, Pizza, Korean Traditional Food, Raw Fish, Raw Octopus, Raw Clam, Raw Shark, Raw in-your-face-whateveryoufindintheocean restaurant.

The day passed, the rain stayed.

We retired to the superkid tent near eleven to the sound of a soju induced argument or bridal blessing (you can never tell). We love the outdoors. Resigned to the fact that sleep was going to be elusive till late we decided to play cards.

"Did you bring the cards?"
"No, I thought you were going to bring the cards."
"No.....(rummage) Wanna play Go Fish." Shuffle. Deal
"Got any Chicken Restaurants?......"And so it went...

Later we drifted off, dreaming of Ice Cream Chicken and Angry Octopus Motel Rooms. Still raining

2:00 Raining
"Honey, I'm worried."
3:00 Raining Cats and Dogs
"Honey, I'm really worried now."
"Good thing we have a superkid tent otherwise we would be in big trouble now. I bet those Koreans are wishing they had a good hiking tent like ours."
4:00 Raining Cats and Dogs and our tent is flooding from the bottom.
"Hey, my sleeping pad is wet."
"...."
"Hey, my sleeping bag is wet."
"Haha..."

We love the outdoors.

September

...I'll be gone till September, I'll be gone till September...

(I don't think Wyclef Jean will mind the change).

Too many updates, too much to say, so little motivation. Our return home was wonderful. For those of you who saw us we miss you already and for those of you who we didn't see we miss you more. We enjoyed the comforts and hospitality of our friends and the good food (thanks to Santana's and In-n-out). Unfortunately, our camera was stolen in San Clemente, so we are a little behind on our photos. Anyway, we're glad to be back but also realizing that the second time around isn't as much fun. However, having said that we have been really enjoying our time back. With Canine soup and fresh grapes from the vine to late night Karaoke bars and little smiling, snot-nosed faces, we've kept busy.