This video is a brief montage of clips that encaptures our spectacular trip. Hope you all enjoy it.
Below is the link.(copy and paste it to your browser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnrMTNL4pao
Sunday, May 30, 2010
MATT'S VIDEO OF THE TRIP
This video is a brief montage of clips that encaptures our spectacular trip. Hope you all enjoy it.
Monday, May 24, 2010
GSE Team Visiting the USA~ May 24, 2010
By now, our friends from the GSE Korean team have been here for about two weeks. We've had a chance to visit with them, party with them and interview with them. We've even had a chance to practice our favorite Korean words. These words bring laughter because our pronunciation is probably not so good.
- bi bim bap ~ salad with rice and fresh flowers
- gam sa ham ni da~ thank you
- pali pali~ hurry hurry
- namu~ tree
- yeo gi~ here
- jeo gi~ there
- mashita, mashta~ delicious
- ggaji~ to or until
- ban zak banzak~ bling bling
- bbq~ barbecue
- creo~ I agree
- onyi~sister
- opa~ brother
- ahpa~ father
- oma~ mother
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
They're heeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeee! Welcome GSE Team South Korea to Boston
I just got back from the airport and the gang is all here: Mr. Eui Ju, Kim(Team Leader); Ki-Hong, Park; In Sun, Noh; So Young, Park and Dae Jin, Cho. Although I took some pictures, I'm not sharing just yet because I don't want to ruin it for the home stay families. They looked exhausted but happy to be here in Massachusetts visiting us.
It was sooooo nice to see our friends from South Korea here with us in MA. For some of them, it was their first trip out of their homeland so I can't wait to catch-up with everyone this evening at the welcome party and hear their first impressions. Remember our comments about everyone being on the phone? Guess who was the first one on the phone as soon as they hit the terminal? YES!, Ki-Hong, Park. Hilarious! Even he was laughing about it. Like I said, can't wait to hear the stories.
I should get to bed, shouldn't I? Hopefully I will be able to get some sleep. Pretty excited! See everyone tonight.
It was sooooo nice to see our friends from South Korea here with us in MA. For some of them, it was their first trip out of their homeland so I can't wait to catch-up with everyone this evening at the welcome party and hear their first impressions. Remember our comments about everyone being on the phone? Guess who was the first one on the phone as soon as they hit the terminal? YES!, Ki-Hong, Park. Hilarious! Even he was laughing about it. Like I said, can't wait to hear the stories.
I should get to bed, shouldn't I? Hopefully I will be able to get some sleep. Pretty excited! See everyone tonight.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday April 27, 2010- A Busy Day in Cheonan
We packed our bags and bid a fond farewell to our second "homestay" families in Cheonan. By car, we went to the Hoimyung Chemical Plant for a board room talk with coffee, tour and luncheon. The plant manufactures and sells chemical and electronics cleaners. The head office is in Seoul; the Cheonan plant opened in 1994. We were surprised to see four security guard dogs on duty at the facility. For our tour, we removed our shoes and donned slippers for cleanliness.
Next we drove to Dangkook University which is noted for its excellent medical school and hospital. We again were given coffee in an elegant board room with fresh flowers and an impressive video about the school. Later we had a tour, including an extensive tour of the hospital. We were even allowed to be in the radiology rooms with the doctors who were reading MRIs as they were being performed. We were also allowed into the large Emergency room!
To add to the excitement, we went to the local police station and saw people in their jail cells by television camera. At the Special Unit Division, we were given coffee and exchanged business cards. We told the police that we felt very safe in Korea and the police were delighted to hear that compliment. Then we watched as a group of talented children were given a musical presentation by the police band. They were also given hats and vests to wear. On the tour, we were impressed that children were allowed to drive mini cars, similar to those at a USA amusement park, and were taught correct driving habits. Obviously, responsibility and obeying the law starts young in Korea.
In the evening, we attended a huge, formal Rotary meeting with a large banner to welcome our GSE team. We listened to a speech from a group of Rotarians visiting from Japan. Next, Val gave a speech of introductions and deep thanks. We exchanged banners from our sponsoring clubs during a formal photo shoot. Following the meeting, we ate dinner at a lively restaurant where we met our new "homestay" families. It had been another busy, successful day!
Next we drove to Dangkook University which is noted for its excellent medical school and hospital. We again were given coffee in an elegant board room with fresh flowers and an impressive video about the school. Later we had a tour, including an extensive tour of the hospital. We were even allowed to be in the radiology rooms with the doctors who were reading MRIs as they were being performed. We were also allowed into the large Emergency room!
To add to the excitement, we went to the local police station and saw people in their jail cells by television camera. At the Special Unit Division, we were given coffee and exchanged business cards. We told the police that we felt very safe in Korea and the police were delighted to hear that compliment. Then we watched as a group of talented children were given a musical presentation by the police band. They were also given hats and vests to wear. On the tour, we were impressed that children were allowed to drive mini cars, similar to those at a USA amusement park, and were taught correct driving habits. Obviously, responsibility and obeying the law starts young in Korea.
In the evening, we attended a huge, formal Rotary meeting with a large banner to welcome our GSE team. We listened to a speech from a group of Rotarians visiting from Japan. Next, Val gave a speech of introductions and deep thanks. We exchanged banners from our sponsoring clubs during a formal photo shoot. Following the meeting, we ate dinner at a lively restaurant where we met our new "homestay" families. It had been another busy, successful day!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
April 30th - District Conference
On this morning, I started to realize that the trip will becoming to an end soon. We all knew that, like all things,it would have to end but the end always seemed so far away. Today was the first day of the Disrict Conference and that much closer to going home. We met at Hwalan's house and had the morning to roam the grounds. It was nice to be able to spend some time here since we really only slept here our first night. We got a chance to check our e-mail and explore the grounds. Some of us hiked down the hillside and across the river to see the baby goats. After being in the bustling city it was nice to relax in the country.
We then went to a spa resort to take part in the conference. Today's ceremony was devoted to giving awards to particular rotarians. We were happy to see the familiar faces, of our friends, which we made along our journey. We had an extravaggant buffet dinner with many distinguished rotarians from across South Korea!! After dinner and some dancing, we went back to our homestays for our final night with these families. We couldn't wait to see the rest of our friends tomorrow.
April 30th - Off to Seoul
This Friday, like the last, we headed out to see Seoul. This time instead of the express train we jumped in the van and fought traffic. The once 30 minute train ride now took almost 2 hours. It gave us some time to unwind, relax, and take in the changing scenery as we left the country and headed into the city.
Our first stop was the War Memorial of Korea, which I was especially excited to see. We were surprised to see many artifacts that once were foreign but now have become familiar (i.e. the turtle ship, bow and arrows, etc). Although we had been to many museums, this was the first museum which outlined the Korean War. Prior to coming on this trip, I had a limited knowledge about the Korean War. My great uncle, James Bachand, served in the Korean War, so I was particularly interested in knowing more about this tragic war. Many Korean citizens were displaced during and after the war and millions of Koreans lost their lives during the North Korean occupancy. After touring this prosperous beautiful country, for approx. 25 days, it's hard to believe that this occurred only approx. 50 years ago. I think that it just goes to show how determined, devoted, patriotic and hard-working the Korean people are. Outside, we were able to watch the Korean Army practice for an upcoming performance and then toured aircraft and tanks.
Next, was a long ride to the Changgyeonggung Palace, which was built in 1418 by King Sejong. The palace grounds included many buildings, botanical gardens, forested walking paths, ponds and much more. After a leisure stroll, we headed for a shopping district. This area was unlike our previous Seoul shopping experience. We walked down old one way streets, listened to street musicians and shopped in souvenir and antique stores. After shopping, we walked up a nearby alley and had dinner. It was always surprising to me how we always had something new on the table!! There is just so much food. And I have to say GOOD food!!! The restaurant had a cozy feel as it was open to outside. We once again battled traffic and began the long journey back to Seosan. It was like everyday: an amazing day!!!
Pictures frim April 28th - continued
These pictures are from the Institute for Traditional Korean Cultural Studies and our farewell BBQ dinner in the greenhouse.
Pictures from April 28th - 1st part of the day
These pictures are from Kosco (Korea's mint), the Soju factory and driving after the rain.
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