Day 2 (Friday May 24th in Seoul)

Today was a busy day.  We probably had more subway stops today than we will have most of the time we're here.  We went to Jogyesa Temple, then to Gyeongbokung Palace and last we went to Seodaemun Prison.  It was a lot of subway riding even though they're in the same area....or remotely anyways.  We're finally getting good at transferring lines.  We didn't do that 4 years ago, but this time we have to quite a bit.  Of course, first we had breakfast at our hotel's buffet.  Good way to start the day out.  Then, the girls and I went out to Paris Baguette to get bread for the peanut butter we brought and then we went to the 7-11 to get T-money for the subway system.  It doesn't save a lot, but does save at every transfer as if it was just one trip.  Kaelin's now has a lower balance than the rest of us because she kept scanning it and then some lady tried to help, but thought we were trying to go where Kaelin was (other side of the turn style) instead of vice versa and she swiped her card more.  Oh well, we now have it figured out.

Jogyesa, wasn't a whole lot to see.  They were praying in temple and you couldn't take pictures up close, but there were HUGE gold Budha inside that were pretty neat.  I did get a picture of the lanterns hanging everywhere and the outside of the temple.  Not a must see, but still glad we did.

Then, it was onto Gyeongbokung Palace.  Everything in Seoul's neat because you have a metropolis and there are pieces of history in the middle of it all.  Brian and I separated for a little bit so the girls and I could watch the changing of the guard and the boys all went to the bathroom.  He said when they were walking back in some kids from a 4-H club stopped him to ask questions like why were in Korea etc. and then they had to take pictures with them.  Later, we were stopped by some university girls who did the same thing.  This time, though, I asked them to take a picture of us in return.  Smart girl, huh?  We had lots of schools doing tours and they were trying their English by just saying a quick hi and then giggling when we responded.  There was a lot of girls making googly eyes at the boys.  Oh my!  The boys didn't hear them, but there was a group of girls that pointed and giggled every single time we met them in the palace.  But, when we were leaving they tried their English out and said "handsome guys" and giggled some more.  They got a lot of second glances!  We all had to duck to get through a little tunnel and someone made a comment about Cole being so tall when he came out and stood up.  So funny.

Last we went to Seodaemun Prison.  Cole doesn't like history class all that much, but he's just like his dad and does enjoy seeing history, so he picked this one out.  It was pretty neat.  It reminded me much of Missouri's State Pen now that it's closed.  So sad.  Especially the room full of pictures and names of prisoners over the years with the last being in the 1940's.  That's all the longer SK has really been on it's own and getting such a great economy going.  The torture there was awful.  Kaelin didn't like it that much.  She said it was creepy.  It was Brian and Cole's favorite.  Chase liked the palace.  I was content at all and Jaemin was just content when he was on my back.  He kept saying his foot hurt, but we think he twisted it maybe....not sure.  He got down when we said we'd go back to the hotel for ice cream lunch.  He was ALL better.

We promised him, he walked the rest of the way and we followed through.  There's a 7-11 right behind the hotel, so we went there and got a bunch of ice cream bars and went to the roof to eat. Resting time for the rest of the day/night.  Then, days off tomorrow except Hello Kitty for the girls and I.  I'm also hoping to go into Myeongdong for Etude House makeup one of these days.