Day 4
After a few days in Korea, it was time for me to reunite with my Korean family. Aside from the heatwave, which I could have done without, I seemed to have timed my visit perfectly. Geonha’s brother had been studying for a master’s degree in economics while working full-time in a bank and I was lucky that my stay overlapped with his graduation. He graduated from Sogang University where I used to work, so it felt like a true homecoming. He even had the graduation ceremony in the auditorium where I used to teach.
Before the ceremony, I met with the family at a Chinese restaurant where we had delicious jjajangmyeon and shrimp toast. Then we found a coffee shop next to campus where we sat and chatted before it was time to go inside.
We took tons of pictures and I felt so lucky to be part of this special day and be treated like a member of the family. This was also a lovely chance to bond more with Geonha’s dad and I discovered that he has a wonderful sense of humor.
Day 5
Whenever I’m in Korea, one of the things I always have to do is go and see Geonha. I usually do this on the very first morning after I arrive, but since I wasn’t traveling by myself this time I had to wait a few days before I could make the trip to Paju. It will never become an easy thing to do but going there always gives me a certain sense of peace in my heart afterward.
I took the train to Geumchon and from there a cab to the memorial park. The taxi driver on the way there was not particularly chatty but the one who drove me back was incredibly excited to meet a foreigner who could speak Korean. I’ve had this experience many times but it always warms my heart when someone is truly excited that I learned the language.
On my way back from Geumchon I decided spontaneously to get off at Ilsan station to visit the site where Geonha’s accident happened almost six years ago. I hadn’t been back there for several years and felt that I needed to go there again. This time I could pass the spot without breaking down sobbing and seeing it in daylight somehow made it more bearable.
When I got back to Seoul, my Danish friend and I went out for some Korean chicken and beer and then to a noraebang, which was just the pick-me-up I needed.
Day 6
That day we were up early to catch the KTX train to Gangneung. I had never been there before and also thought it would be good to show my friend more of Korea than just Seoul, so we had planned a day trip out of the city.
The train ride went smoothly and in less than two hours of passing through small towns and mountains and lush rice fields we arrived in (scorching hot) Gangneung.
The first stop on our itinerary was a café for some much needed caffeine and air conditioning. Then we took a cab to the beach. My friend insisted on taking a dip in the waves and I waited on the beach while she went for a quick swim. Once back on land and dry we took a cab to a nearby Hanok village which we had completely to ourselves – probably because of the heat, which my iPhone told me was 37 degrees and felt like 42.
After having walked around for a bit we headed back to the center to have a look at the traditional market. We found a place to have lunch before we went back to the beach. This time to the famed Café street where tons of cute cafés and small craft shops are strewn along the seaside.
After enjoying a delicious iced tea at a cute café overlooking the ocean, it was time for us to catch our train back to Seoul. Gangneung was a great experience, and if you have more than a week in Korea, I highly recommend taking a day trip out of the city.
More to come in my next post. Until then – have a lovely weekend everyone!
