Feet, Buses, and Trains

Woke up this morning and it was raining....AGAIN!  I prayed for it to end...and right before our scheduled time to catch the base bus, it ended.  We hooed and hawed for awhile.  "Should we stay?  Or should we go?  It might be raining in Seoul."...etc...etc....

We just said let's just do it.  At the last minute, we ran around throwing shoes and socks on.  Then running around for any kind of jacket to wear, just in case.

We thought we missed the base bus but we were looking at the regular bus schedule, not the weekend one.  Whew!  Lucky us.  We made it to our destination...the walk-through gate.  For those who don't have a car, just walk out or show your ID to get back in.  Eventually our guide arrived and one other family.  So all together...there were 10 of us.

We walked out the gate and right across the street from the base in the city bus stop.  Bus #20 was our bus that would take us to PyeongTaek Train Station.  Now understand, I didn't take pictures on our way to Seoul.  I didn't want to miss anything.

Okay, now let me tell you....Bus #20 was more exciting that the longest roller coaster.  The speed was high, dodged cars parked on the side and/or oncoming cars.  Every speed bump didn't slow the driver down. As soon as we hit, up my butt left the seat it kept warm.  Now if you are pregnant and have back problems, you'll go into labor or your back will become worse or it might go back into alignment.  Either way, every five seconds a "squeak" escaped my mouth.  I don't know if it was from fear or excitement or both.

We eventually made it safe and sound to PyeongTaek Station.  We walked in and had to ride the escalators up.  It was like everything I imagined it.  Korean people everywhere.  We (the tour group) immediately became the main attraction at the zoo.  If you know what I mean.....?  We all headed to the ticket booth and bought our tickets.

<<<<<<

After purchasing our tickets, we took "care of our business" and then met in the main lobby to head down stairs to the tracks. 

Once down the tracks, a train arrived.  We boarded it immediately and the "delicately" made our way to our cars.  We had car #2.  The other family ended up in car #3.  Our guide ended up in car #5.  We were told after leaving Suwon, the seats were ours.  We had to stand up until then.  No problem since Suwon was the next stop. 

After we left Suwon, we asked the people on our seats to leave.  They wouldn't.  The lady and young girl showed us that they had the same seats.  Memories of the Yongsan bus danced in my head.  NOT a pleasant memory.  The train attendant shows up and we discover....WE ARE ON THE WRONG TRAIN!  The tour guide just saw the train pull up and assumed it was ours. Wrong-O! Thankfully this train was going to Seoul Station which was not overly far from Yongsan Station...the place we wanted to go to. The guide decided we would just tour around Seoul Station instead of trekking over to Yongsan.

But that was okay.  I felt like an idiot and apologized profusely to the lady and the young girl that sat in the same numbered seats of the train we were supposed to take.  So instead of sitting down, we stood there like some of the others.  Lauren eventually got tired and just sat there in the middle of the train aisle. 

Another example of Korean hospitality, or maybe because of Lauren's cuteness, the lady asked if Lauren could sit between her and her daughter.  So I picked up Lauren and placed her between the two.  As Lauren sat there, the lady talked to her in the best English she could.  "How old are you?," "What is your name?," and other things that I didn't catch because the racket of the train is pretty loud.  Eventually the lady got quiet, probably used up all the English she knew, she pulled Lauren toward her and stroked her hair.  Lauren just sat there like a smiling goofball and practically purred.

Eventually we finally arrived at Seoul Station.  In total from PyeongTaek, it took about 50 minutes.

Pictures of Seoul Station are below....

These first three pictures are after we got off the train.  We decided to go ahead and buy our train tickets back to PyeongTaek in advance so we could all arrive together. 

Next are pictures outside Seoul Station as we walked to another area which contained a superstore called Lotte World.

<<<<Notice all the buses.  I swear on my life that if this picture could be widened you will see buses as far as you can see.










<<<<Because of the humidity from the morning storms, a thick haze (not fog) loomed in the city.  The humidity is the worst I've experienced in my 38, almost 39 years.  This is just a bit of downtown Seoul.

Seoul Station houses many shops and restaurants.  Even a Lotte World, which to us Walmart shoppers would appreciate.  It's very similar.  The coolest thing about Lotte World at Seoul Station (a picture I failed to get), was that the escalators were flat so the shoppers could ride up with their shopping carts!!!!!!  Obviously, this Lotte World has two levels.

The kids immediately found the toys section, where as I was looking for the music section.  Couldn't find it, but I did find a Shinee picture book of Lucifer....(for all my fangirls...kekeke)

Yep, the boys were all "KOREAN WII GAMES!  KOREAN XBOX GAMES!  KOREAN DS GAMES!"  For the love of God, it was like they landed on the moon!

<<<  Oh my God, it's a Korean Halo3 ODST!








Eventually we got tired of that store.  Lauren was complaining she was hungry and thirsty and it was just time to move on.  We walked past a Bennigans.  Yes, there are those in Seoul.  We didn't have enough time to get in and sit, so we started looking for the ever popular, American friendly, fast food joint we all know and love.  Well, not me....I will never stop loving my BK.  You got it.....McDonald's!  We knew it was in the station and we only had 30 minutes to eat and go use the restrooms. 

McDonald's at Seoul Station

This place is insanely crowded.  The lines wrapped around.  I'm telling you fear set in.  We are not at Humphreys, Osan, or even Yongsan where most of the Koreans speak adequate English.  We are in downtown Seoul where English is a fad.

We get up to the counter.  "One 4-piece McNugget Happy Meal," I said.  Girl at the counter, "McNugget....??"  Then walks off and finds a laminated picture table and has me order by pointing at pictures.  Okay, it was simpler that way but I'm telling you I felt like a loser.  The order was okay.  She never asked what drinks we wanted with our meals with the exception of the Happy Meal.  Bobby's and the boys' drinks were Cokes, automatically.  We get our meals and discover we are short a hamburger.  The place was so busy and then to have an American with a Korean speech impediment ask for the missing hamburger would have taken FOREVER.  So Bobby just ate his fries and drank his Coke.  I shared Lauren's fries because I didn't order anything.  As soon as we walked in, the smell of frying "bulgogi" made me want to hurl.  Oh, that reminds me.  The hamburgers were called "bulgogi" burgers.  "Bulgogi" is beef, but just cracked me up.  "Bulgogi" burgers........kekeke!

McDonald's Ketchup

I must not forget the ketchup!  Let me give you a taste of Korean McDonald's ketchup.  It tastes like........tomato paste.  It isn't made by Del Monte or Heinz (God love them.)  But by a company called Ottogi.

As I'm not fluent in Hanguel, we'll just assume the main ingredient is to..ma..to..pa..ste.








The trip back to PyeongTaek was less "adventurous."  We bought our tickets and were told that no seats were available and that we would have to stand.  I didn't care at this point.  I was tired, hot and sweaty.  Forgot to mention, Koreans obviously don't believe in air conditioning.  It was stuffy and I didn't not feel not one lick of any cold or moderately cool air at Seoul Station.

We rode back in the snack car.  The car has console video games to play, a snack counter, massage chairs, internet cubicles.....don't laugh.....even a karoake area!  I wish I could have gotten more pictures but I felt weird taking pictures with lots of people staring at me.  LOL!

Ill-fated ticket that brought us back to
PyeongTaek.

The building in the backdrop was GOLD!

Tried to take a pic of the outside but got an awesome
reflective picture of the people on the train.

>>>>The Suwon Station, I believe.  One of the stops on our way back.

Matthew and Lauren sitting on the floor....of the train.

We arrived to PyeongTaek.....rode the escalators down to ground level......and this is what we saw.

<<The windows near the escalator......

>>>>Outside PyeongTaek station, as we crossed the streets towards the main street....to our bus destination.

<< Anjeong-ri...."the Ville"....shops, restaurants....bricked road with marble benches to rest on...and only 3-4 blocks away from our "house."

Poster of the Korean movie, "71-Into the Fire"

>>>A pic for my Asian fanatic friends.  Kekeke.  This poster was hung up high at Seoul Station.  I'm sure you all can guess the actors' names.

Today, You Teach Me English!

Cast of characters in today's interesting story....

Army wife ~ AW
American Soldier (husband of AW) ~ AS
American Soldier who is also Filipino ~ AF
Grandfatherly Korean man ~ GK
Me

Today started out crappy.  My intention was to get the boys registered for school, get our ration cards, go to ACS (Army Community Center) for information on tomorrow's excursion, hit the library and then possibly go to the commissary.  I was out of my infamous Diet Mountain Dew. 

We got to the registrar's office.  They gave me all the paperwork I needed to fill out for both Eric and Matthew but the Osan rep. hadn't arrived yet.  So, the kids and I decided to head out and try to fill out the other obligations I had set.  Eventually, I let Matt take Lauren back to the hotel room while Eric and I headed back to the registrar's office to meet the Osan rep.  Now mind you, since we have no vehicle....we had to walk everywhere.  Sure, we could have taken the bus, but this base is soooooo small that that was just obsurd. 

As Eric and I headed back, dark clouds loomed.  The hot, humid air turned ice cold.  I told Eric we should head back because we had no umbrella.  Of course, Eric wants to trudge on and face the consequences.  After convincing Eric that he was out of his ever-living-mind, we turned back and went back to the hotel.  The sprinkles started and by the time we got to the front entrance doors to the hotel....heaven gave way.

We had been couped up in the hotel room for the whole day.  Rain, thunder, lightening, and more rain.  The base supposedly closed down because of heavy flooding.  Yeah, it was that bad.  The rain was constant....fast and heavy for over 6 hours.

So, after being couped up, I had to get outside.  Outside the front of the hotel is a little pavillion.  I think I mentioned this before.  A lot of us living in the hotel come outside there and talk/hangout/smoke/just get fresh air. 

I was the first to go outside.  After sitting there people watching, AW shows up.  Her and I sat there talking about the happenings of adjusting, when a little GK walks by.  "Annyeong-haseyo, " I say.  "Annyeong-haseyo," he replies.  And he smiles and goes into the hotel.  AW and I go back to talking when the little GK comes out smiling with a hot coffee in one hand and in the other, the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

He says "hello" in the cutest Engrish ever to both of us.  He asks if we are American and we nod and say "yes."  He sits next to me, opens the newspaper, then says, "Today, you teach me English."  I smiled and said, "okay."  He read the top news to me, "Gates In Korea to Discuss Tour Lengths." 

GK~  "I understand Gates.  He top defense guy."
Me~  "Correct."
GK~  "Gates in Korea to discuss....Discuss mean talk?"
Me~  "Correct."
GK~  "...to discuss tour lengths.  I don't get.  Tour...mean take trip to look around?"
Me~  "Well, yeah, tour does mean that but in this instance it doesn't mean that."
GK~  "English hard."  He laughs.
Me~  "Well, you are doing a pretty good job.  Tour...in this sentence, it is talking about a military man's stay in another country."
GK~  "Hmm...still don't get.  What is lengths?"
Me~  "Lengths is referring to time.  Gates wants to changes the time a military man has to stay out of his country."
GK~  "English is hard.  Still don't understand."
Me~  "My husband's tour in Korea is 2 years.  We will live here 2 years.  Gates wants to change that.  We might stay longer or shorter."
GK~  "Ohhhhh!"

We go through the paper some more and we come upon the word "deployment."

GK~  "What is a deployment.  Very big word."
Me~  "Deployment is actually kind of like the word tour."
GK~  "Why not they say tour instead?"
Me~  "Because English is hard."  We both laughed.

We then talked about accents.  I explained that in Korea they have accents as well.  There is the Daegu accent, the Busan accent, the Seoul accent, and I'm sure there are others.  Americans have accents.  There is the southeren drawl, the northeast, midwest, and I just said the California accent (because from movies and TV, that is what they mainly see and hear.)  He pointed out that the English they learn are from Koreans who were taught English.  And most of that English is American.  One word in particular that annoyed him (that brought up this whole discussion) was the word "water."  He said Americans say "wadder" but he was taught "water" with an emphasis on the "T."  I told him that he said the word correctly but as Americans our English was "lax."  We speak the same English as the Brits but because the first thirteen colonies had been away from England so long...as time progressed our English changed as well to what it is today.  He replied with an "oooooh."  He taught me something though.  I never realized that from a foreign perspective, I was pronouncing "water" as "wadder."

Around this time AS and AF show up.  GK starts explaining (about what I already knew) that the old Koreans love Americans because of the Korean War.  He explained that he was 6 when the war broke out.  He became a refugee and he and his family were forced to move south towards Busan.  At this time, he had us laughing because he explained it was at that time he came upon his first American.  Because he was only six, his father seemed big to him.  But when he came to see the first American, he thought we were giants from a land of giants.  He knew then that these giants would win because North Koreans were small like his father.  Kekeke.

He then asked us what part of the states we were from...

GK to AS~  "Where you from?"
AS~  "I'm from Virginia."
GK~  "West Virginia?"
AS~  "No, just Virginia."
GK~  "I visit W.Virginia.  Mountains big.  Scary.  We might fall off mountain."  *he gestured a lot with his hands.*

GK to AF~  "Where you from?"
AF~  "I'm from the Philipines."
GK~  "You not American?"
AF~  "I'm half.  My mother is Filipino."

I don't remember what exactly happened here but he started talking about how Korea used to be an underdeveloped country.  Comparing the country to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, etc.  I told him that Korea was far from being underdeveloped.  That well, yes, there were ungodly amount of rice paddies everywhere....but the cities were far more advanced than some American cities and that Seoul was much bigger than New York.  That the entertainment, electronic and fashion industry had bipassed us by far.

He then talked about the States being the "police of the world."  I asked him how he felt about that.  Was it appalling to the average Korean?  That sort of thing.  He explained that he had nothing against it.  That if it wasn't for the Americans, he would not be here.  If it wasn't for the Americans, there would still be a Saddam Hussein.  And on and on and on......

He then explained that the new generations didn't take to kindly to the American occupation but he then went on that as long as there were "halboji's" (grandfathers) around, they would keep teaching the youngers about Americans.

Somehow, he then changed topic directions again....

GK~  "Where you from?"
Me~  "I'm from Texas."
GK~  "City?"
Me~  "Dallas."  *Of course, I say this because it's the closest big city and like he would know where Grand Prairie was.  Grand Prairie is in Dallas county.......Kekeke.*
GK~  "Everyone in Korea know Dallas."
Me~  "They do?"
GK~  "Forty-seven years ago......all over world know Dallas.  When President Kennedy got shot."  *He then again used gestures of a man holding a shotgun.*
Me~  "Ah, yes.  There is a museum and memorial of the place where he got shot.  I don't think Dallas wants to be remembered of that fact, though."
GK~  "Ah, but Dallas is famous."
Me~  "We'd rather you know Dallas because of the Dallas Cowboys."
GK~  "The Dallas who?" 
Me~  "American football."
GK~  "......."
*Then the others laughed.*

After that, AW, AS left.  GK had to leave as well.  He turned to me and said....

"Today, you my English Teacher."  He then waved and said, "Annyeong-kyeseyo."  "Goodbye," I replied.

Kamsahamnida

"I am grateful."

We picked up Eric's cellphone yesterday.  Same drill, different day. 

Anyway, the lady at the counter (another beautiful Korean woman) gave Lauren a "display" cellphone since the rest of us got a new phone.  The display phone is actually a real phone but doesn't turn on.  To top it off, she gave Lauren one of those cellphone accessories you attach to the phone.    Lauren chose one that has a light on the end.  When you squeeze it, it lights up.

Most Americans don't have these but in Asia...it's like having several keychains attached to the phone.  Notice, the attachment I have has a fake ruby set in a little pig.  I chose this because...don't laugh...I was born the year of the pig.

After Eric got his phone (he got all those fun things too), we were about to leave.  I bent down and whispered in Lauren's ear, "Tell the nice lady kamsahamnida."  Lauren repeats, "Kamsah-ida."  The lady at the counter....melted.

Nothing like having a cute four year-old girl say, "kamsahamnida."

*This pic is of my phone and the goodies given to me.  Isn't the little cellphone purse cute?*

The Good, The Bad, and The Weird

Yesterday, I met two women outside.  One an army soldier just went active, former National Guard.  The other, an army wife like me.  All three of us sitting outside under a pavilion outside the front doors of the lodge.  A little shaded area for some of us who feel couped up in our hotel rooms to come and get fresh air and just "people watch."

We introduced ourselves and just started talking about how we came to Korea and the troubles we had to deal with when we all came over.  We came to the conclusion that the military really have no clue about Korea and the policies for civilians and the soldiers stationed here.

The soldier was told to not bring ANYTHING with her.  She has a family (a husband~former soldier, and three young girls.)  So they came with nothing but pretty much the clothes on their backs and what they could pack.  She was told that they couldn't ship a vehicle.  And that the military would provide furnishings for her and her family once they got a place off post.  Well, the military can provide furnishing...if they are available.  If not, it comes out of their own pocket to find those not provided.  Obviously, the military will ship a vehicle as I can testify that my big, bad truck is sitting somewhere in Seoul or is somewhere near Seoul as this moment.

The army wife on the other hand brought EVERYTHING.  All their furnishings.  There is some discrepancy as I told her we were told we could pretty much bring only half of what we owned.  I then told her if her household goods went over the weight limit that they would have to pay out-of-pocket the difference of what was allowable.  So she is now stressed.  Don't blame her.  The problem lies in her husband's orders and what was written in them.  We've came to realize at once, that depending on what post you came from, everyone had different mandated orders.  There was no set rule.

Let me clarify something on my end.  We immediately saw differences in what we were told as soon as we came to Seattle.  At Ft. Hood, we were told we could bring only one pet.  But then we were told that we couldn't fly our pets on a military sponsored plane.  In Seattle, no lie, many people brought cages with various sized animals.  Most were small dogs.  THAT is where we switched from a domestic flight to a military flight.  I'm telling you, I was seriously pissed.

The USAG Humphreys website said that they only allowed one small pet (a cat) only on post.   Okay, some of those people were not going to Humphreys.  Some got off in Japan.  Some got off with us in Osan but were going to different posts other than Humphreys.  Here at the hotel, I've seen people walking their DOGS!  As I said, the website said only one small cat. 

As you can tell, the communication from each post or base was varying in their knowledge of what was indeed true.

Here's another bit of knowledge that both women informed me about from people they knew who already live off post.  Brace yourselves...especially for those who think they have a sky-high electric bill.  Many of those friends who used the airconditioning units in the off post housing had bills roughly from $700-1000 for one month.  And those same people only used their airconditioning units for no more than a week.  Let's just say my jaw fell off my face.  Korea isn't really hot but the humidity is worse than a hot day in the Amazon.  Okay, some exaggeration there but it IS intense.  We were told to run the airconditioner until the house got cool then turn if off...not to let it run.  Thanking God Korea is not near the equator. 

Here's something I forgot to mention.  I've never seen it in the US but it might happen.  So correct me if I'm wrong.  While riding the bus back from Yongsan Army Base in Seoul to USAG Humphreys, I noticed men wearing reflective jackets and holding up light sticks to warn drivers that there were road workers ahead.  Nothing out of the ordinary, I'm sure you are thinking.  After close inspection, they were MANNEQUINS!  That was the smartest idea.  Why haven't I seen that in the US?  We see commercials or read in the news of road workers getting struck by vehicles.  But actually having a mannequin do the most dangerous job was ingenious.  I have seen police cars parked strategically with mannequins to give the illusion that they are watching you.  LOL!  But to have a mannequin stand out in the road warning drivers to slow down for road contruction was weird but seriously a good idea.  I'm sure you've noticed the little things amaze me.  Kekeke.

USAG Humphreys

Okay, so....thought of writing about the oh-so-wonderful things about living on or near USAG Humphreys (renamed from just Camp Humphreys).

1.  If we get the house we have chosen without horror, the boys will be able to walk on post to the waterpark.  Yeah, we're that close. 

2.  I can walk on post, catch the bus, and relatively go anywhere on post for free.

3.  The gym is the best gym I have ever seen.  Temeko took us by there and my eyes glittered from envy.  Then informed it's free to all military and their dependents.  This thing (gym) is 3 levels!!!!  The second level is where heaven came down upon me and angels sang.  Treadmills, ellipticals, and the best weight equipment imaginable.  Oh, yes, Sheree will be a visitor very, very soon.

4.  The theater.....is FREE.  Theater meaning.....movie theater.  All the movies are new or recent.  I'll will be there this week to see Eclipse and Letters to Juliet.  I swear if the popcorn is free.....somebody hold me back!

5.  There is a full sized Starbucks....'nuff said.

6.  The hotel we are staying at....or as it's called the "Lodge,"....has free laundry and our rooms are furnished like an apartment.  'Nuff said.  Oh, and free internet....or this blogging thing wouldn't be possible.  Kekeke.

7.  "Yo quiero Taco Bell!,"  "You can have it your way at BK."

*There were a few things Eric liked but those things were neither here nor there for me.*
______________________________________________________________

There are only a few things that are annoying here at the USAG Humphreys.......

1.  The commissary is as a small as an ant hill.

2.  The PX is just as small.

3.  They only have two schools....elementary and middle.  We were informed they are clearing a barracks (this particular one looks like a hotel) and making it into a school.  High school?  Don't know.

4.  Only one gas station.

Living in a Korean home

I'll have pics up soon enough...but I think we got a home. The same one from yesterday. The "ahjumma" owner....not to be confused with the "ahjumma" realty lady....was a bit harsh, but then I expected that. At first, she put up a fuss that we have children. Why would a couple want this HUGE home? The "ahjumma" owner was quite adamant that she didn't want children. With lots of charade like movements and speedy Korean that even had me befuzzled, she managed to make her point. With an interpreter on the phone, the cellphone (trust me, that cellphone was quite used well today) was passed from the owner, the realtor, the interpreter, Temeko, me and Bobby. We all got a part of that phone. After a good while, I think our interpreter (the "ahjumma" realtor lady from yesterday), put in a good word for us. Eventually, the "ahjumma" owner gave in and we worked it out. We will pay 1,600,000 ($1400.00 roughly)won for the 4 bedroom house/apartment.

The home is quite bigger than the Harker Heights home, 'bout the same size as the Killeen home minus the 2 car garage (Mr. Biggie Truck will have to tide the elements in Korea). We don't have a yard but we do have this wrap around deck that goes from the living room and circles completely to the back of the kitchen. We would live on the second floor (not third, as mentioned yesterday). The house is FULLY FURNISHED! With better furniture than us. Even decorated....kekeke....with beautiful Korean art. HEAVEN, I tell you!

Now we will have to decided what we want to do with our furniture that we are bringing. The couches might fit if we separate them. Put a couch in the master, a love seat in one of the boys rooms, and the chair in another room. I guess we'll deal with that when we get there. We might have to sell some stuff. LOL!

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. We haven't put down a deposit yet. The military has to do a safety inspection first. Then we have to get approval from command. Bunch of military BS that is slowing down the process. Aaaagh!

On a good note, the "ahjumma" realtor lady who we actually came to find out wasn't a realtor lady. LOL! Nope, she worked in the same building as the realtor "ahjussi" (name given to a man of marriagable age...like ahjumma, usually 30 or older.) She is actually a money exchanger. Meaning, she takes our wonderful dollars and turns them magically into won. LOL! And just happens to speak understandable English. Anyway, this woman is like a diamond in the rough. So sweet! I will definitely go to her to exchange my money. LOL! Today, we are getting some of the typhoon that has hit the Asian coast. Rain won't end. Anyway, she was always there with an umbrella. While we were safe, she took the brunt of the rain. Very polite.

The "ahjussi" realtor, even though he didn't speak a lick of English (okay, the basics), was a kind man. Before we left, decided when to come back (Monday or Tuesday) because of military BS, he just handed out my favorite candy out of the blue. How did he win me over? Easy enough. Just give Sheree a Snickers bar and YOU WIN! LOL! Seriously (chin jiha), the few people we have met are making my stay here so much more heavenly!

I'm Baaaaack!

It's been so long I've forgotten how to blog. LOL!

Well here I go.........

Today, another nonstop drama. We are barely in our hotel. Most of our day is bumming a ride from Temeko (our Korean sponsor, Bobby's co-worker who happened to work with him at Ft. Hood.) She has taken us everywhere. She even has taken care of our reservations here at the hotel. She today took us off post, helped with our cellphone purchases, and was with us when we went house hunting. We owe her tons for her help.

Today's main adventure was house hunting. Oh, those Koreans can be wiley. Many of you know, there is no such thing as "set price." Everything can be haggled. Well, today....we haggled for a completely furnished 4-bedroom house/apartment, wireless internet/cable TV, American size washer/dryers, and WATER!

Yeah, water. Supposedly, you don't drink Korean tap water. Don't drink the water in Mexico. Don't drink the water in Korea. Did some research and the water IS drinkable in Korea. South Koreans have been so horrified of North Korean psychology that they have believed and still (some) believe that North Korea has contaminated there water. Even though the World Health Organization has cleared Korean water for consumption, many still to this day won't drink it. Okay, I'm an American and don't really care much for American tap water but that is because that crap that comes out of our faucets taste like...well, crap. I'd rather drink bottled water anyway.

So, water haggling was a little weird to say the least for a house. LOL! Whatever. I'll drink out of a bottle no matter what, even if it was good or...bad.

Well, as my story goes on. The "ahjumma" (Korean term for older women usually over the age of 30, married w/children...or not) realtor lady with much confusion took us over to the house to check it out. Okay, the lady is smaller than me (5'2"ish...to my 5'7") walked waaaaay faster than me. I literally had to walk/jog to keep up with her. Yes, we walked from the office to the house. So all 6 of us (this included Temeko) struggled to keep up with the little woman. Her strides weren't only fast...but long.

We get to the house with much sweat. Workout...maybe. Could have been humidity...maybe. Combination of both...most definitely. The house/apartment was on the 3rd floor. I think. Can't remember...my brain was fried from the intense walk we had. We couldn't get in because the house owner was away. We decided to go outside and wait. It was cooler outside as the sky got darker....rain was on its way. Again.

As we waited, the clouds broke and the sprinkles got bigger. Then out of the blue, a window across the small street (the streets are no wider than the typical alleyway in the States...no joke) opened and this loud angry voice came out. All in Korean. She was yelling at the "ahjumma". All I caught out of the yelling was...rain (bi) and child/baby (aegi). I came to the conclusion the "eonni" (older sister/title of respect given to older women by women), as the "ahjumma" called her, was a little beyond pissed that the "ahjumma" made us wait in the rain and that Lauren was getting wet. The "ahjumma" ran to the "eonni" and came back with an umbrella to give to Lauren. Then the "eonni" came outside spewing Korean (probably reprimanding the "ahjumma") with another umbrella which she gave to me. Amazingly, she was an adorable old lady who I instantly fell in love with. You just had to be there. She talked to us in Korean and for some reason we understood what she tried to say. Luckily, I did seem to get some words. I think Temeko, Bobby, and the boys were amazed more so now with my translation skills than ever before. Kekeke!

As the rain came down, we decided to head back to the realty office. As we walked back, Lauren complained that she was tired. Well, yeah....we were walking behind the fastest Korean I've ever seen. I asked Lauren if she wanted a "piggy back ride". I didn't even get a chance to squat down..."ahjumma" was already down and Lauren climbed on her back. At that moment, I realized that most of the Americans I have spoken to weren't joking, that elder Koreans were exceptionally kind to us...the Americans. The "ahjumma" didn't complain. She sweet talked with Lauren. Lauren giggled and laughed with her. At the same time, Temeko, myself and Bobby...walked behind with our jaws dragging on the ground.

Tomorrow, we meet up with the "ahjumma" again to conclude our visit to the house. We hope its the "one" we want. It's right outside the gate. Bobby could walk to work and catch the bus inside the base. Matthew most definitely would not have any problems with getting to school. Heck, he might even could walk with his dad. Eric is our only concern...having to go to school to Osan and all.

Also, tomorrow...we pick up our cellphones. Eric will have to wait just a wee bit longer. We discovered his military ID is missing his SSN. That was really weird. He might have to get a new ID. Anyway, we have to take his SSN card to get his cellphone. I know. I know. "What?!!!" is what you are thinking. Since we are military, it's a requirement for the Korean community to have our "lives" printed on paper. They know we can up and leave and they get screwed in the process because they can't do anything about it.

I just wonder how crazy tomorrow will be.......