Visa run, visa fun
On November 25, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampWe made a weekend out of a visa run to Seoul, South Korea. We could not stay long no matter where we decided to go, but we needed to exit and re-enter in order to renew my family’s visas. So we chose the country that feels like our second home: 🇰🇷!
Because we spent several years of our marriage and young family life in South Korea, we have fond memories of the place. We have longed to return for a visit. We took 3 days.
In order to give the trip our full attention my husband took time off of work and I took time off too. We landed in SK early on Thursday morning…So early that we got to see the sun rise over the Han River. 😍 #glory
That first day was so full of travel that we slept a LOT. The hotel was perfect: one large bed and two single beds. Because our eldest sustained a leg injury we moved slower than we expected. But we learned recently that we are a family of slow-moving introverts. Moving slower than expected suited us just fine.
🐖🐖🐖
Our one plan on Thursday was to eat at an old favorite restaurant called 경리단578.
After dinner we walked around our old neighborhood, showed the kids their old home, favorite places to eat and play and take walks. Best of all, we had the chance to visit with dear old neighbors.
☕☕☕
Friday morning we visited our friend’s bakery. We lingered over food and familiar stories. We had a wonderfully delicious time.
That same day we decided to visit the local hospital to get a second opinion on our daughter’s fracture. The visit took a longer time than we hoped it would, but ultimately because the hospital was familiar to us the wait was not too hard. They let us borrow a wheelchair for our hospital visit. Made things easy.
The hospital visit turned out to be a good surprise. The fracture had disappeared, according to the latest scans! We were delighted to be prescribed new recommendations: a sturdy brace and to take it easy for 2 weeks. Taking it easy would not be too difficult for our kiddo, an avid reader.
We ate local that evening at another old friend’s restaurant. It is so sweet and good to have the tender warmth of friendship in so many surprising places. It really is balm for the heart.
🍗🍗🍗
On Saturday we took a long train trip on the Mugungwha. Our mission: to show our daughter the village where she was born.
The Mugungwha is a large commuter train. I used to take the same train in to Seoul each day to teach in the university. Now we took my commute back out to the countryside. It was a beautiful morning for meandering. We were there very early so there were very few people around.
We chatted with some old friends who knew us back when we lived there. It was amazing to see them after so long. Of course they were shocked to see how big our kids had grown as well.
Once we returned to Seoul (a very crowded train ride later) we stopped by another friends restaurant for the most marvelous lunch. What a feast! It was such a sweet joy to see him after many many years. He really wined and dined us too. We were stuffed! Each dish was perfection.
After lunch…the library! 📚
And then back to the hotel where we lounged around digesting and discussing and delighting in the day.
🍚🍚🍚
The following morning around 11am we landed in Guangzhou, ready to do laundry and prep for the workweek.
We ❤ Korea. We love all the beautiful gifts we have been given in this beautiful life. Friendship and family and food has enriched our lives and we are so grateful. What a fantastic weekend!
🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷