South Korea

On October 1 through October 7 the entire country of China celebrates their national holiday; similar to the fourth of July in the U.S.  All schools, K-university are closed, government offices, banks, post office, most everyone gets one week off to celebrate the implementation of communism in China.  As a result of that, China is very crowded everywhere when 1.35 billion people all take vacation at the same time.  We elected to leave China and the maddening crowds for this break in our classes and travel to South Korea. 

Seoul was a breath of fresh air-literally- the skies were blue and pollution free, the temperature was 75 degrees the leaves were beginning to turn colors, it seemed for a minute we were back in SLC.  One of the benefits of military service is the opportunity to use military facilities; we took advantage of that benefit in Seoul and booked a week at the Dragon Hill Lodge.  Plush towels, carpet on the floor, overstuffed furniture in the lobby to sit down, elevators, flowers, all the amenities, we were ready to live it up! 

We booked some tours and tickets to events in Seoul and walaa we had a week planned in no time. 

 DMZ

 The Royal Palace

Michael and Rosy Cragun were assigned to the Consulate in Guangzhou last time we were here but have since been transferred to the Embassy in Seoul.  Interestingly enough the Embassy housing is on the same base where we were staying, we were just a short walk to the embassy house compound. We had such a great time spending time with Michael and Rosy again.  They took us to some really great Korean Hot Pot spots and gave us direction for the high points of the city. We attended church with their family and shared FHE with their six children. We were able to do sealings and an temple session in the South Korea Temple on Conference weekend.  It is so much fun to have international friends!

 

We were planning to do some Christmas shopping while we were in Seoul but quickly discovered it is hard to beat China for shopping.  Our shopping consisted of Oreos, Ritter Sport, tuna fish, nuts, crackers, room deodorizer and soap. Just a few things to make life easier in Guangzhou.