Cherry Blossom Snow

We had cherry blossom lined streets here in Okpo also, but nothing to the degree of Jinhae. I'm so glad I didn't miss it. It's like fairy snow flakes floating off the trees the a gentle breeze. Two days later there was a large wind and rain storm that brought most of the them down quickly.

Vendors at the Festival

Korean Naval Academy

A modern Korean Navy ship, along with the historic turtle ship which were used to defeat the Japanese in history. These kids should be smiling - they'd be even cuter.

Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae

The TL Project provided the day's excursion to the city of Jinhae where there are said to be 40,000 cherry trees. The trees were introduced during Japanese occupation as Jinhae was a naval port for them as well as it is now for the Korean Navy. We had 45 min. car ferry ride instead of taking a bus. Other groups were stuck on such bus trips for hours, because of the traffic and crowds. Top pictures includes some of the Korean girls who work in the DSME office where Dale works, along with Donn& Lisa, and Jerry Henson, another TL project member from Tennesse.

Mt. Daegeumsan alis Azalea Mountain

We went the week before the scheduled Azalea Festival. The steep trail would have been like a freeway of people on the festival weekend if we had waited. We did drive a lot of the way up. The road is very, very narrow with few places to pass. We went early in the day, as Korean are not really morning-type people. We were down before the tour buses started showing up. What a great day.

Priceless Photo Op

Yes, with very little cohersion, Dale & Donny donned the palace guard attire for their wives. Dale's robe is too short, because most Koreans just aren't that tall. Of course, had the photographer (me) been on the ball and placed the picture a little differently, none would be the wiser. Oh, Well...

Changing of the Palace Guard

This re-enactment is a big deal and takes a whole 30 minutes to accomplish. It's descriptively narrated and translated into several languages, including English.

The Changdeokgung Palace

We did not have the greatest weather, but we didn't let it stop us. It was much colder still in Seoul, than in Okpo where we live. The trees were full of buds that couldn't quite open. If Dale's sister gets to come in early June we hope to make a second trip.

Cutest Kids

This was taken at the Korean War History Museum. Korea's long history of war and oppression is tragic. These kids were having a great time today though. The traditional 'hanbok' style clothing in children sizes at the open market.

Korean Water Color Landscape

A sample of Korean style painting that I will never achieve. But my 70 year old painting teacher, Mr. Park (every fourth Korean you meet has the last name 'Park') is very capable.

Modern, big city Seoul

On my return trip to Korea, after coming home to Paso for a visit in March, we finally found an opportune time to visit Seoul. Before, the best we have done, is passing through the aiport. Dale, along with Lisa & Donny Ducote rode the express bus to Seoul from Okpo to meet me. I had no time to consider jet lag as we crammed as much as we could into our short days there. Lisa and Dale are trying to figure out how lost we really are here.

Ready, Set, Go!

While there were both half-marathon and 10K events, Dale and all the other TL (Tambua Landana) Project participants opted for the 5K as to not embarrass themselves too much. The M.C. really gets into pumping them up to leave the gate---even if you don't understand Korean the optimism and energy is there. Then you will notice that the racer are actually giving each other a shoulder rub to loosen up a bit. The medalists in the last picture here with Dale are Jooyoung (my language teacher), Alison (TL Projects general office manager), and Greg (TL engineering). Dale did OK coming in under 30 mins.

Geoji (pronounced ko-gee) Do (meaning-Island) Run

Running as a hobby in Korea has been a bit more challenging for Dale. When we drove to the start of the race with Greg & Lindsay (young couple in gray/pink sweat shirts); Dale and Greg were counting the hills they'd have to run over not the kilometers it would take... Cold, but clear day...everybody warms up together. The three 'amigos' above approached me saying, "Sir, take picture please?" They had forgotten their camera and wanted a momento of the day. They gave me an e-mail address to send it to them. I also met the mayor of Geoji-Si (City) that day.