The first day of the last month of the year!!
I woke up a little early and did some homework. Jihye woke and cut up an apple--we chatted for awhile and then it was time for me to go meet Bumsik. I was sad saying goodbye to Jihye and she told me she hoped to see me again soon.
I met Bumsik on campus and we went to the restaurant he wanted to take me to. The only problem was that it wasn't opened yet. So we walked to another place and ordered Haejangguk (I think). It was beef (on the bone!!) with other vegetables in a spicy soup. It was pretty good. I had a nice chat with Bumsik and found out he will be going hiking in the Himalayas next month--by himself! After we ate, he took me to the bus stop and we went our ways-he had to go to his tutoring job.
After an hour and a half commute, I arrived in Nampodong (neighborhood/area) in Busan. I did a little bit of shopping. I was passing a central square and saw lights etc being put up, I stopped to read a sign and a middle school/high school event staff said that the festival was starting at 6pm. I went to Yongdusan Park and watched the sun set behind the mountains. The park is up on a hill, so there is a nice view of the harbor and part of the city. I went back to where the festival was being held and got a seat. It reminded me a bit of the lantern festival in Seoul. There were a few different groups singing-the first were older women singing Christmas carols, then a group of elementary students sang some Korean songs and finally a group of 3 musicians played some Korean instruments. It started raining a little, but it was so cold I was surprised it wasn't snow! The VIP's arrived and a few gave some speeches. Then they all came on stage and pressed some buttons and *bling* all the lights came on!
I was so cold from sitting outside in the rain that I was shivering as I walked. I went to the mandu soup place I have been to before and ordered my favorite soup. After I ate, I walked to the jjimjilbang (sauna/spa place) I had looked up--I also talked to two Koreans and both said it was a good jjimjilbang. There were not as great a variety of spas as some of the other places I have been to, but this place also had a nice view of the harbor. I soaked in the hot tubs for a little and then went to explore the saunas. They had 2 really unique rooms-the first was a hot salt rock room-with small salt rocks on the ground to lay on; the other was similar but had smooth black stones. Other than that, I think there were only 2 other sauna rooms and the typical cold room.
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| My friend Bumsik and me at the bus stop |
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| Start of the sun set; Busan harbor on the left |
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| Yongdusan Park |
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| Christmas Tree Festival! The big "tree" just lit up! |
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| Me with the Christmas tree |
1.We don't suppose that you'll have the opportunity this month, but we caution against hiking in mountains alone. 2. Your desciption of the spa was vivid. 3. Your grandpa, Aunt Ruth & other family members have lived long and healthy lives, and one reason perhaps is that--no matter how interesting an event is--they've been willing to leacve early if conditions are unfavorable--too hot, too cold, too crowded or whatever. With Love, R&M.
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