Day One: Eri has officially started her academic career. Her first day of kindergarten was at Crada International School at the beginning of August. Her teacher is Miss Taylor, who has already told us that Eri is the best reader in class. We are so proud of her.
Mud Festival: Korean mud is thought to be beneficial for skin, so one of the coastal cities hosts an annual mud party with live music and lots of pools, bouncey castles, giant slides, boat rides, games, and competitions -- all while dousing everyone with mud.
Magic combination: There are, of course, countless examples of one country's staple food (peanut butter in the U.S.) that is really unappealing (vegemite in Australia) to other people (me). Here in Seoul, it's hard for some to believe (me again), but Koreans love love love eating a big plate of diced onions mixed with equal parts ketchup and mustard. As a meal. With no hamburger, hot dog, etc. They pile their plates high, stir and, seemingly, enjoy. I have not tried this entrée because I'm almost sure I know exactly what it tastes like.
Gadgets: Koreans have some type of gadget for EVERYTHING. For example, some of my Korean co-workers wear a yamaka-looking wire cap (with a handle) on their heads as they go about their work duties. I thought it was some type of homeopathic stress-reducing, performance-enhancing device. Nope. My English-speaking Korean co-workers explained that these are "cheap head-scratchers" that the ladies wear around, just in case. I'm not sure why they don't just use their fingers, which I think may be even cheaper, but my co-workers presented me with one the next day. Eri LOVES it.
Miscellaneous pictures:
