Exploring

Pictures are left to right, staff at Holt, my room at the guest house, and the Holt building.






Today, I spent a lot of my day exploring. Because of the time difference, I woke up pretty early. I didn't have an appointment for anything until about noon. I got up around 5 am and checked e-mails, read some news, and then got dressed and went for a walk. Since I can't read Korean, I had to try to find landmarks so I wouldn't get lost. I first went out for coffee (pronounced kopi here). The very kind security guard here at Holt offered me a plastic tube of instant coffee. I tried to graciously declined. I found a Paris Cafe...good coffee and delicious pastries.

After the coffee, I decided to check out the neighborhood. One of the street signs pointed to City Hall...so I decided to walk there. It was early so most of the shops were closed...most don't open until 10 or after. But there were lots of folks going to work and kids everywhere walking to school in their cute little uniforms. I found it funny that while I was waiting for the light to turn red and cross the street, I noticed that everyone across from me was wearing black coats and jackets. There may have been one tan one...but mostly black. I did a lot of window shopping. And then came back to the guest house. Well I looked at the map and I think I walked about 15 miles, and still didn't make it to the city hall. Maybe I'll try the subway next time.

A little before noon, I met Ms. Seol and the rest of the staff that works in Holt's Post-Adoption Services. Several of them speak good English, so it was a relief that we didn't have to struggle to communicate. Then, they took me to lunch. Ms. Seol ordered bibimbap for everyone. A tour guide and adoption consultant from Stuttgart, Germany accompanied us as well. She thought it was funny that I knew more German than I did Korean.

I found out that I'll be going to my homestay on Monday. The people I'll be staying with are college professors. One teaches French, the other is retired. They have a private home, which is rare in Seoul, and a small garden. Then on Tuesday I'll get to visit one or two of the schools, and maybe start working on Wednesday.

I am also looking forward to meeting the others who are participating in the Homecoming program. I learned today the others in the program are here from France, Norway, Denmark, Chicago, Boston, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Others I know that will be arriving soon are from Florida, DC, Atlanta area...so representatives from all over the place!