The Robb’s Come to Visit

What a wonderful week (well minus a couple goodbyes ;)

The Robb’s came and it was so nice to show them “our” Korea. It was also truly nice to get to know them and their presence really pressured us to get out again and do some tourism/keep busy.

The first day they arrived to Korea they caught a taxi that Roberta had arranged to be waiting at the arrivals stop with their names on a sign. Ha.. this is sure fire welcome to Asia! A fool proof way to get to your destination. Roberta and I finished our teaching day Friday and looked out the window waiting for a van cab that appeared lost. Sure enough we spotted one doing circles around the block so Roberta went, and as Ron often said “met to reattach the cord.” ☺

We took them to our favorite Sushi place, “Sumo’s.” The walk down to the restaurant was interesting. We listened to all the “first timer” perspectives and battled question after question. Once at the restaurant we ordered a couple dishes, feasted… talked their ears off. The metal chopsticks were a little hard for them on ‘Day One’ but by day nine I think they almost had it mastered. Then we let them sleep… they had been traveling for 17 hours but… we didn’t let them sleep for long!

Day one we had them wake up 5 a.m. and travel into Seoul by subway to the DMZ! The subway in itself, meeting our other teachers (Will, Dan, Camille—Holly from Incheon joined us later) is a great experience in itself ☺ but the DMZ was FANTASTIC. We took a tour with the USO’—The American Military. We learned lots… so much so that I will compose a blog on the DMZ itself at a later time!

After the DMZ we headed back home and meant to nap and then head out in the evening. This is when Camille got news though that she was going home so the evening consisted of packing and then a bit of a big night out that the ‘rents left us to say our goodbyes. Ohhh waaa again!!!

The next day Roberta and her parents went to Suwon Folk Village—an interesting place that shows the history of Korea. I hope to get there at another time. The Robb’s were also able to meet up with a friend from For Qu’Apelle, Anne Marie (also teaching English here) for dinner in another small city.

Monday Roberta the lucky girl had the day off and took the rents to the touristy district of Insadong (great touristy shopping) and Itaewon (seedy but great foreigner hot spot).

Tuesday the Robb’s came to school. Roberta’s kids looooved it!!!! They brought little candies and pencils for all Roberta’s Kindys and SASKTEL Touques!!!! The kids were beside themselves! That afternoon they wandered to Jungang… a close colourful crowded shopping area full of buildings/shops/and lights. After work we took them to our “Chicken and Beer” hangout and then we went to Dr. Fish back in Jung Ang.

Now Dr. Fish, is something that I have been wanting to do but Bert and Camille have been unwilling as they have “Fishues.” The girks don’t eat them and wouldn’t go for them nibbling on their feet! That’s right Dr. Fish… consists of one heading to a coffee shop buying a cup of coffee for dollar and then paying another 5 to put your feet in a small pool while tiny little fish eat off all the dead skin from your feet!!!! Ha ha ha I squirmed a heck of a lot… I do have ticklish feet and it was just so so odd… but the Robb’s were cool as fish?! It was super weird if you open your toes they go between them… I hated that because what if you squish one to death… eeek! I kept thinking don’t they get full? Ohh there are no words to describe this experience… you will just have to come and try it!

The next day, the Robb’s parents (I think) did Seoul tower, saw the city, and walked around one of the crazy markets. This night we took them out to our vegetarian buffet—which consisted of a great spread of Korean food. Finally, we introduced them to our bar, Bar No 10, and Reo (bartender).

Thursday was our huge night out. I honestly, can’t remember what the ‘rents got up to in the day. Possibly the changing of the guards at a palace in downtown Seoul? Thursday at Brighton we had graduation in the day and then a staff meeting in the evening at a Korean BBQ restaurant. Korean BBQ consists of you cooking your meat on a hot plate and then wrapping it in leaves and chasing it back with some good strong soju! We invited the Robb’s to tag along. It was great all around, a great meal, and great for the Robb’s to meet all our staff, including our boss, and owner!

After lots of soju at dinner we were warmed up for Norebong which we headed to with our Korean teachers. We sang the night away and the Robb’s really enjoyed it. Finally, we headed to Bar 10 again, where there was a really large group of us foreigners as another school was having a goodbye party for some of their teachers. (The turn around in this business is truly unbelievable).

On Friday, we were back at Sumo’s/No. 10 but had a low key night.

Then finally, on Saturday we got ‘Mom’ back to Insadong (touristy shopping) for her souvenirs and then had a great meal at the foreign, Aussie Spin off, ‘Outback’ restaurant and saw a traditional Instrument/fan dancing show at the Chongdong Theatre. The drumming was unbelievable… it was so fast and synchronized. At one point the men were wearing these awesome hats with a long streamer attached so that when they spun their head around the streamer danced too.

On Sunday, we had one more semi-tearful goodbye as we got them on the bus to the airport and on to Canada. It was definitely unreal when I said we would see them again in 7 months! It felt like they were going back to the Fort and we would see them again soon. So odd…. But so so so wonderful that they got to see all that Korea is to us and that now they will be able to understand Roberta’s stories so much better!!!!

Three Cheers for the Robb’s!!! It was a pleasure getting to know you!!!