The Last Time. . . . (from the other side)

I'm going through many of the same feelings I had back in February -- in reverse. Once again over the last few days I've been thinking "This is the last time I'll be/do/see. . . ." In many ways my feelings are even more nostalgic since there's no definite timetable for a return to Korea, although I'm sure I'll be back.

For the last time -- I attended the Anglican Cathedral, went to my drumming class, hung laundry to dry in my shower, had a meal with InSook and InAe, prepared food in my "kitchen," walked by Deoksugung Palace, visited with HaeJung and MinJu, took the subway, walked through Lotte Mart, had an English lesson with Young Il, observed the street vendors in "my" neighborhood, heard Koreans arguing loudly, enjoyed the night view from my 25th floor room. The list goes on and on.

It's been very enjoyable being a bit more than a casual visitor -- although with blue eyes, brownish hair, fair skin and English speaking I will never be mistaken for a native. Yet today I was able to direct Korean-appearing but American tourists (who obviously picked me because I looked American) on how to get to the "Rodeo" area of Apkujong. I am familiar enough with certain areas almost to be considered an expert. A heady feeling!

Much of Monday and Tuesday was spent organizing and packing. I now have four pieces of luggage, one carry (wheel) on and three to check. (Thank goodness for Business Class!) It's going to be a challenge.

Monday evening Sherrie, from church, and I finally had our dinner together. We ate at a small Korean restaurant near her home and then visited her apartment, which is very nice. It has two small bedrooms as well as a main room with good kitchen area and costs about as much as my one room. But -- a 2-year lease is required!



Tuesday late morning I took the subway (my last ride!) to meet HaeJung. We had lunch and then went to MinJu's school for her open house. There are 31 students in her 3rd grade class, but the kids are quite well behaved making the numbers manageable. Although parents help with serving lunch and cleaning the school because of limited funds and staff, technologically the classroom seemed well equipped with a large screen attached to the teacher's computer. The teacher taught an art class which certainly engaged the children's interest.



MinJu is quite good at art. Her picture is between my shoulder and her right ear. And I had to compare her blue-footed booby picture with the embroidered blue-footed booby on my Galapagos shirt.










We all returned to my place. MinJu was hungry so we stopped in to Kraze Burger on the ground floor of my building for a snack. The manager of the restaurant, Kyoung Yong Kim, is a very pleasant young man who was always very gracious to me when I stopped in for a take-out burger. At my request he joined our picture.

HaeJung took care of notifying the rental agent that I would be leaving in the morning and made arrangements for me to leave the keys at the Ramada desk. Then we went to my room for a last visit. The two of them left a little after 5 p.m.








YoungIl arrived with kim bap for supper at 6:45. There were two varieties, both quite delicious. We enjoyed the kim bap while finishing the bottle of wine I had in the fridge!



So this was the last meeting/supper with YoungIl. While we were chatting, Fides stopped by to pick up the apartment and personal stuff I was not carrying back to Minnesota. She has some donation possibilities and provided pick-up service. -- Couldn't ask for anything more.

HaeJung and YoungIl had taken most of the supplies and food, and I threw out what was left. So the room is cleaned out and ready for my departure.


That brings me current in this, my last, message from Korea.