Today we spent the early morning walking around. We found a little pocket park where the kids played and the old ladies of the neighborhood exercised. It was so much fun to watch everyone. Stopped for a Dunkin Donut which is NOTHING like the DD in the states.
At 11:30 a.m. Karson's Foster Father picked us up. Holt also sent a volunteer translator named Yulie who is 25 and in college majoring in English. She was fabulous. Foster parents live over the Han River, and in a suburb about 20 minutes outside of Seoul. It was absolutely beautiful there. Small mountains with agriculture. We went to their house which was absolutely gorgeous and immiculate. There we met Halmoni (Foster Fathers mother) She just grabbed little Mr. 'I have sensory issues" and hugged him with her whole heart while he held on for dear life. It was precious. FF has an amazing museum quality rock collection which he showed the kids. They also have a traditional Korean dog (called something like a Puszan) which the kids loved. The paintings in their house were amazing. Then the gift giving began in earnest. Shoes for Karson and shirts for all the kids. A beautiful piece of pottery, necklaces for Kellis, and a very special raised Tiger/Dragon plaque from 2002 to the FF which he gave to Karson and a baseball from a famous Korean ball player.All we brought was a cake..losers that we are.
When we went outside to go to the restaurant I commented about an incredible old house next door so the FF took us there. It was a traditional house built in stages the oldest being 300 years old. We were introduced to the owners who showed us around. The original well was there and we were told members of the Chosun (? I know I am not spelling it correctly) dynasty had lived there. It was amazing. Meanwhile, because there was not a lot of room in the car for all ten of us, Karson's foster mother grabbed his hand and started walking with him to the restaurant...and he went willingly. I guess he sensed the love that she has for him because this child who is often anxious was at peace. They held hands the entire way under her umbrella. I almost cried it was so sweet. Stopped off at a horse farm in the area and they were thrilled to know that Karson rides.
We soon arrived at a very traditional Korean restaurant. Sit on the floor, cook in front of you type. On the menu was duck which actually tasted like ham. Incredibly good. Of course the floor was heated and it was so warm and cozy eating with such wonderful people. Lots of traditional Korean side dishes too, duck soup, fresh fruit and cherry juice for dessert. It was so funny to watch Karson (the picky eater) while his foster mom FED him. I have to give him lots of credit because he tasted everything that she put into his mouth. Oh the pictures I took!
From there we loaded up into the car and drove to Bucheon stadium where the cherry and azalea blossoms were in full bloom. FF bought everyone ice cream and we hiked up the mountain. It was full of families picnicing and just enjoying the day. Why is it no matter where you go you can always find food on a stick? In this case it was corn on the cob on a stick...too funny to see people hiking in the hills eating corn on a stick. There were also the corn cakes and those crispy brown/yellow bugs. We asked Yulie if she ate them and she was horrified. LOL! That younger generation. Anyway, the area was absolutely beautiful with all the blossoms. Incredible really. After hiking down the mountain we went into the museums in the stadium complex. Karson's FF had to show us the rock museum. It was beautiful. I can't describe how incredible it was. Who would have thought rocks could be displayed in such an amazing way? From there they took us to (I don't know the name) a place that teaches children traditional crafts and has master craftsmen. We saw the most amazing kites in the kite room. Hundreds of them. Dragons, butterflies, square ones with intense paintings. THe Hanbok making room, the painting room, and finally the woodcarving room. We met the master woodcarver who is a friend of the FF and makes his display bases for his rocks. He gave all the kids wooden key chains that he carved. They are a real keepsake. You can have these master artisans make you whatever you want and they will ship them to you after the work is complete.
After all of this it was back to the foster parents house where they served that lowly cake I talked about along with fresh fruit. I have to tell you that this family was so good to our kids. FM instisted on carrying Kellis on her back and she is in her upper fifties. They were the most gracious people on the planet and kept telling us that they were so pleased that we brought Karson back to Korea to see them. The FF and mother just kept touching Karson and loving him...it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about them and their interactions with him.
Tomorrow we will take the City Tour via the bus, go to Korea House. The kids are really at a fun age to be doing this and it has been an incredible opportunity for them. Karson's FF is 65 and you know if we had waited until Karson was a teenager there is a good chance that he might not be around. As it is Karson will have wonderful memories of people who loved him the first 6 months of his life. We are so grateful!
