Good Times in Korea

     There were good memories in made in Korea. also. It wasn't all about work for me. I was able to escape the madness every so often. Towards the beginning of my tour, I went to a BOSS (Better Opportunities For Single Soldiers) concert. Saliva was featured. I remember going, as it was held on post, and them actually spitting on the crowd! Gross! I liked the music though.
      Another BOSS event I made it to, was a beach weekend, Beach Blast. I did not know I was pregnant at the time. I did feel sick while out that weekend, but not without having fun. Troops from all over Korea gathered. We took buses to meet at this huge event. Activities were provided all weekend. I went out on a boat ride, laid out in the overcast weather, had tiny fish eat the dead skin from my feet in a special pool, and watched people try to surf on a wave machine. It was a good time. I shared a very small hotel room with one of my barracks' mates. I learned that Koreans were superstitious, and there was no 7th floor (I think it was 7th. I could be wrong). I saw hundreds of small Korean restaurants with aquariums and aquariums of fresh live seafood. The smell was too much for me. I saw live squids! I ate chicken on a stick from a street cart.
     I went to visit the DMZ twice! Once I was invited to go with the Air Force guys that lived in the barracks in front of my barracks. The other time, I went with friends from my unit. It might have been another BOSS trip, because we did more than just go to the DMZ the second time. We made several stops along the way back. I saw the the Third Tunnel, which was one of the tunnels in which the North Koreans almost made it to Seoul during the Korean War. I saw the mines that were distributed across the same bridge we took to get to DMZ (demilitarized zone). I actually went it to the building where the North Koreans and South Koreans met to discuss political agreements at the border in between the DMZ. I saw a North Korean General looking back at me through binoculars, and gave me an eerie feeling. The North Korean soldiers on duty across the DMZ were substantially smaller than the South Koreans who stood guard. We also went to an observation post where more of the DMZ could be viewed using binoculars. We ate at a Korean restaurant.
     I never learned much Korean while in country. I arrived with something written down that my dad taught me, "Nunoo hung gook sarung hamneeda." which means, "I love Korean people."
     Being fortunate enough to live in Seoul, the capital city, I was able to explore a lot on the weekends without having to spend  much money. I ventured to Itaewon, which was right outside the post gate. I would go out with other female soldiers, I shared the barracks with, from my unit, at night. I went to a few dance clubs/bars. I found that I liked the Latin Music Night. Dancing was freeing.
     I also went with KATUSA friends to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant! I love sushi. I went to a Korean Pizza Hut, where they did not know what pepperoni was. I explored areas where I did not know where I was, like when I found myself at the Nike Art Exhibit. I went to a Korean shopping mall, and noticed the artwork everywhere.
     After Caleb was born, I was given the opportunity to go on a retreat with the Chaplain. It was a beautiful sight, and so good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. It was called the Mt. Seorak retreat. I took the lift up to the almost top of Mt. Seorak. I saw Buddhist temples and learned more of Korean spiritual history. It was on this trip that I tried Jop che, my now favorite Korean noodle dish.
    I went to have lunch with some of my non-KATUSA, female Korean co-workers once. I ended up ordering a cow's blood soup, without knowing what it was! They laughed so hard!
    There was a movie theatre on-post that was free for troops. There was a commissary, and a PX. There were American fast food restaurants, like Burger King there.
     I have been keeping up with what is going on to 65th Medical Brigade on Facebook. They have since relocated to Camp Humphrey's. I think the South Koreans are going to make a national park out of Yongsan, now that they are taking the land back. My son will never be able to see where I worked, or where he was born.
    As a part of orientation, everybody goes to the Korean War Museum. I went there more than once. It's huge and has very detailed exhibits and planes. I also went to a Korean War Prison museum. I almost forgot about going to Seoul Tower! It was beautifully lit at night.