Wednesday and Thursday

On Wednesday (April 29) I continued my celebration of being finished with school by remaining in my jammies until almost 1 p.m. (I was up and doing things, but was definitely taking it easy.) I decided I needed some fresh air so decided to explore the small park I can see from my room, located just on the other side of the railroad tracks.

I can't remember if I mentioned that a few weeks ago I found that the homeless encampment in the underpass around city hall was gone. I've been wondering if the warmer weather caused the homeless to want to be outside or whether the warmer weather encouraged the police to roust them out. Also, it's approaching the summer festival and tourist season so perhaps they were urged to move on from a prime tourist area.

Well, in exploring the park yesterday I discovered where at least some of them had gone. There must have been 15 to 20 single men lounging about on the ground and the benches making themselves at home. This one fellow had his laundry hanging out -- whether to dry or air out, I don't know. There is a public lavatory in the park so I suppose some hand washing might have been done. Again, I didn't feel threatened, just somewhat uncomfortable. A number of people were walking through the park so it hasn't been abandoned by the general populace.



To my delight I found some lilacs blooming. I know I will miss lilac season in Minnesota and was feeling deprived. It was great to be able to enjoy the sight and smell.






This park, as do many in Korea, features some exercise equipment. I don't know how frequently it is used. The gentleman on the far apparatus appears to be just sitting.


Today, Thursday, I got going a bit earlier than yesterday, arriving at the office of a travel agent about 10:30 so I could make my travel arrangements to go to Cheju Island. We got that accomplished quickly, and then she asked if I had a little time, maybe half an hour, to help her edit a research paper she'd written (about the satisfaction of volunteers at a festival and what keeps them returning to volunteer). Almost five hours later the project was finished! In the meantime she'd bought me a delicious lunch and was more than willing to pay for my plane fare to Cheju as recompense for my editing assistance. While I turned that down (my time isn't that valuable), I did accept her invitation to accompany her to attend that festival at the end of May, just before I leave. I love that I keep running into people and becoming friends, or at least good acquaintances.

After leaving the travel office, I walked to Seoul Selection, a good bookstore for books about Korea for foreigners. I bought another Korean language book (on listening). It's probably hopeless but somehow I think I feel if I pay for the books I will magically acquire the knowledge. Then walked to Insa Dong, seeing these burlap-wrapped trees on the way. I don't know why the trunks were wrapped in burlap. . . .

Walking home from Insa Dong (I did get my exercise today), I purchased a waffle on which the young man put whipping cream and then the topping of one's choice. I picked blueberry. It was quite good, and I enjoyed eating it as I made the homeward journey.