Home at Last

It's good to be home! I just wanted to write a quick post before I take the next few days off. I'll post again after the Gunpo Ambassadors arrive in Grant County. Only a couple of pictures today...

This is our last group picture taken at Incheon Airport.
I think this might be my favorite picture from the whole two weeks. This is Daniel and his host-mom. This picture is important to me because it shows how close the kids get with their families. Daniel's mom cares a lot for him and he for her, and it's really sweet to see it. Good job, Gayle, and all the rest of you parents, for raising such awesome kids!

Farewell Gunpo!

We began the day with a short lesson in the Korean language.

After our language lesson, we got to hang out at E-Mart. There's a McDonalds inside, which Kristina, Caleb, and Nathan took advantage of.
Kayci giving a gift to Mr. Lee. He is our bus driver and does a WONDERFUL job. We love having him along with us.
At the Farewell Dinner, the students and their families were invited to enjoy a beautiful display of food. There was something for everyone. When I asked the kids to dress nicely they did a great job.







Mayor Ro spoke about his wish that the kids keep growing their relationships with each other during the Grant County tour and in the years to come.
We presented Mayor Ro with a signed picture-the same picture that is on our t-shirt.
We presented Mrs. Mayor with a bottle of Grant County Centennial wine.
Mayor Ro presented each student with a photo album full of pictures from the different activities we had.
Mayor Ro visited each table asking the kids what their favorite part of their experience was.




A picture with all of the kids and parents.

Hello all! We had a great day at Lotte World. We did not get very many pictures, which is normal-it's hard to find the kids once they scatter. So instead, we took a little video of each student and posted it. Enjoy!

Lunch was Pizza Hut. I think the kids were ready for some American style food-even though they did get to try sweet potato pizza. Mmmmm, tasty!

On the very bottom floor of Lotte World there is a skating rink. The kids enjoyed watching the future Olympians.

The Videos...

This is the roller coaster inside Lotte World. It is supposedly the largest indoor roller coaster in the world. Daniel is sitting in about the third car back, but I'm sure you won't be able to tell!

Gyeong bok Palace/Shopping

We started the morning shopping on Insadong street, which is well known as a Korean cultural street with lots of art. Insadong is a great place to find souvenirs.

Daniel, Mitchell and Ben looking around one of the shops.
Vannessa enjoying a cool treat on our way to the palace.
We had an excellent tour guide at the palace who explained the features we were looking at.
The structure the kids are looking at is known as the officers club.

Sitting in the king's quarters learning about the daily life of the king. Plus, it had started raining outside so it was a good time for a dry place to sit.
Our kids are so great at giving gifts and letting our guides know they are appreciated.
Daniel and Mitchell were interviewed by some university students. Daniel received a chocolate pie for his efforts.
Our group in front of the first portion of the palace.
We had some visitors from year's past. This is the student that stayed with Tricia Cunninham a couple of years ago. It was sure nice to see them! They change so much.

Suwon City/Zoe's Birthday

At dinner tonight we celebrated Zoe's birthday. Happy Birthday Zoe!
Before we left this morning, Zoe was interviewed by the local newspaper. Good job, Zoe!
We began our day watching a martial arts demonstration.
Caleb and Nathan looking at one of the "weapons" used in the demonstration. Basically a tree branch with metal shards hooked to it.
After the demonstration the men posed with our kids.

Lunch today was picnic style. This is Nathan's lunch-he's a lucky boy! These types of rice rolls are very traditional picnic food.
Suwon is surrounded by a wall and has four gates. It has just been named a national treasure.
The view inside one of the gates.
Gorgeous scenery!
The view of Suwon from inside one of the gates.
Daniel and Vannessa taking in the gate.

Our next stop was the tomb of the unknown king. The story is that the king who built the fortress of Suwon wanted to honor is father, who never got to be king. Apparently the grandfather killed his son. So, the king moved his father's tomb to this site.
Our group at the site of the tomb. It is one of the more ornate tombs in Korea.
The view from inside the forest we walked through today. Beautiful!
This is the tomb of the king. Only a few of the kids made it up the hill to see it, plus our tour guide. Good job!
Kristina giving our guide a gift.
Dinner tonight was in a beautiful park-like restaurant. Here the kids are enjoying the fish pond.
One of the reasons that today was so special, besides Zoe's birthday, was that two of my girls that we have hosted came and spent the day with us. Eun byol hosted Josselyn five years ago, and Yoo bin hosted Hanna four years ago and then came and spent a school year with us.