Back to Pohang then to Gyeongju

Yesterday we made a quick trip (1 1/2 hours) back to Pohang. We went to the VIP Restaurant for a western lunch. I did not realize how much I was craving recognizable food! I had a salad bar and fruit, followed by green tea ice cream with fresh fruit topping. Oh, it was wonderful. Pohang was a long day in the car... not worth blogging about.
We did go to a chic shopping district in the evening where the teens hang out. Lots of neon and teenagers dressed in bright colours hanging on each other. Lots of hand holding and walking arm in arm here -- guys and gals.
Our new hosts in Pohang were planning on taking us to YongDong village for the day, but we have already been there, so instead Janis requested that we go back to Postech University to visit their light accellerator lab... which would be very cool for scientific types (of which most of you know, I am not). I won't even try to explain what they do with light there, but it is very high tech. We saw a model for a helicopter smaller than a peanut and a lens smaller than a sesame seed -- very James Bondesque.

Next stop was Jukdo Market. The first time we visited there a couple of weeks ago, it seemed very cool. Busy, bright colours, fish everywhere for sale, octopuses... This time, however, all I saw was death and suffering. There was even a dolphin lying on the ground for sale. (I am sorry to write this). Janis pointed out that it is important for us to know where our food comes from. I think I am ready to be vegan again. Needless to say, when octopus was served for lunch, we suddenly weren't very hungry. I had a very strong urge to come home. I miss blending in and recognizing everything and understanding and being understood. I miss green smoothies.

I've bounced back already, though. We are back in Gyeongju in a huge very swish hotel. We had a few hours off, so Brett, Janis and I went for a stroll -- Mina needed to visit the sauna! Not far from our hotel, we stumbled accross Kyongju World, an amusement park. Brett and I thought it would be funny to go in. The admission was 6,500 won which did not suit Janis's practical side. We couldn't resist, so we bid Janis farewell and Brett and I spent an hour and a half laughing at the sillyness of it all. It was just what I needed. We even went on a rollercoaster and a funny little goose train. The highlight, however, had to be the "European Fantastic & Just Magic" dance show -- white dancers being made a spectacle of in front of an audience of about 12 Koreans that didn't seem quite sure when to clap or whether to clap. Oh the giggles. Better run, we have a big Rotary do this evening and I've only got 28 minutes to get pretty.
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