It's been a very exciting and busy few weeks since we arrived in S. Korea. We have settled into our new home, we've taken long walks, we've braved the "market street" just below our complex, we've used magnetic grocery carts to do a little shopping in the bigger grocery stores, we've ridden lots of taxis, we've tried new food, and mostly we've enjoyed doing it all together. We are blessed beyond belief and are very happy with our journey so far.
Before we made the journey over we were able to have a wonderful dinner with our family and we were surprised with an awesome cake my SIL had made. The "haeng-un" means "good luck" in Korean!
The next morning, we got up bright and early for our flight. The boys were very excited as it was the first time flying on an airplane, and I think they are now forever spoiled....we were able to fly "in the big seats" for the 15 hour flight over to Seoul and they LOVED IT!
Personal televisions were a big hit,
and ice cream after eating while watching tv was an even bigger hit! The flight attendants were very accommodating and happy to help the boys during the flight. Little Ms. Kiersten also had a very great first flight. She was able to get some sleep and didn't seem too bothered during take off or landing.
After being in travel mode for about 24 hours, we landed in Busan, South Korea (about 45 minutes away from where we live now) and were greeted by a driver to take us to our apartment.
What. A. Ride!!
It was pouring rain, we had 10 or 12 bags/luggage, a stroller, and a carseat. Jason sat up front with the driver, the stroller and a piece or two of luggage were in the middle seat, and the kids and I were in the back seat. Koreans have traffic laws, but I'm not quite sure they all obey them! :) Imagine yourself on an amusement park ride in the dark...that's what it felt like to me! Besides that, everyone was beyond tired and very ready to go to sleep!
We arrived to our apartment and were greeted by the liaison that had helped us in finding the apartment. We and all of our belongings finally made it to our new home on the 8th floor and we were given a tour. (The boys were really excited, bc they had cat napped in the car and Jason and I just wanted to go to bed...he had to be to work at 7am the next morning and it was already 9pm here).
The days following were filled with very early mornings, and even earlier nights because of jet lag. The boys would wake at 3am and be ready for bed at 3pm. Fortunately, we went to VBS at the Foreinger's Compound the week we arrived to help us get into a routine. After getting home from VBS each day, the boys would take a nap, and then I would wake them up an hour or so later. One day, H had gotten up (not because he wanted to), made it to the kitchen, and decided he needed to go back to sleep.
K was a big help in getting the boys up from their naps!
The entire first week we were here it rained off an on...mostly on. There were a few times we would go out for some fresh air, umbrellas in hand, and play at the playground right inside our complex. (These playgrounds are everywhere really!)
After a few days, I remembered to take a picture of our building. It is 17 stories high! Each building within the complex is a different height....because of the hills I guess....we have friends living on the 23rd, 28th, and 30th floors of other buildings.
That's all for now! Thanks for taking the time to read about our journey! I've taken many more pictures and will get caught up soon. Take care everyone,
The Boatie's
