Thursday, September 2, 2010

South Korea

We had a great time in Korea. It was mostly go, go, go; but as you can see from the picture below, we had some relaxing time too!


We went to several museums. Here was one that had the country flower in front of a bunch of Korean flags.


It was really hard to get used to the currency. There is about 1200 won for 1 USD. So this bill is only worth about $8!


We ate Kimchee for almost every meal. Even for breakfast. John was in heaven! Dana probably won't be able to eat Kimchee for a long time though!



We went with John's family (all 16 of us) to an island just South of Korea called Jeju island. This picture below is the dormant volcano that formed this island. The whole island was so green and lush.



We had a lot of fun with John's family - many of whom we met for the first time. We rented a 2 story house and all slept on the floor. Here's our first night, about midnight. John took on his look-a-like cousin at arm wrestling. It was a tie!

We had 4 large meals every day. Our second night on the island, John's uncle bought $300 USD worth of sushi. So here we are around midnight eating legs-crossed on the floor as we always did there eating fish fish and more fish!


This was a beautiful forest we walked through. These poles were some kind of laughing poles, so were laughing when this picture was taken.


It was also very hot there, so here is John sticking his head in a stream out of desperation to cool off!



Here is a seafood soup they fed us one day for lunch. We love crab and shrimp, but aren't big fans of ripping heads off to eat their insides! A lot of rice was consumed by us that meal!


Growing up in land-locked NM, I, Dana, am not very big on fish. So, what do you get when you're at a fish market and are overcome by the smell and you just saw the eel flopping around and you can't eat it even though it's cooked? They graciously ordered me noodles with some kind of sweet thick black sauce on it! Boy, I wish I liked fish!


How do you say, "Where's the bathroom?" I think this bathroom sign gets it's point across in all cultures!

Here's John and his older brother, Tim, trying to sit on the floor for lunch, but their long legs just don't bend right!


No comment.



Here's the family, except the younger uncle who is taking the pick, at a lookout in Jeju Island next to a fishing lady statue (I have no idea why there were so many of these on the island. Our tour guide spoke no English).

So beautiful.








John and Tim had been talking about swimming the whole trip. I mean, we were on an island! They got their chance at a 10 minute pit stop to look at one of the few beaches we saw - most of the island was lava rocky. The beach was small and the water freezing, but they got their swimming fix.I think they were the only one's out there without some kind of floatation device!
When we returned to the Korean mainland, we traveled up to the North Korean border called the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). Here we are trying to spot something exciting in North Korea. To our disappointment, we didn't see much.


Pit stop for some brotherly competition.


Body guards and VIP on subway? Or John, cousin Sophie, and Tim on subway?



I, Dana, understand this stranger resting on John. His shoulders are at just the right height and angle! Does John look awkward or what?

After Korea, we spent about a week in our city with John's mom and brother. Then we spent a couple days in Beijing on their way out. Here they are at the Temple of Heaven.
We even climbed the Great Wall!


Well that's it for now. We don't plan on traveling much more this semester but staying put for a while.

Posted by johndygert at Thursday, September 02, 2010 0 comments

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

God's creation seen at it's best!


As some of you already know, we got to spend some R and R in Alaska and enjoy time with friends and family. It was much needed rest as the weather in our city with getting in the 100's and INSIDE our apartment consistently averaging 91-92 degrees. We really never felt like we could cool down. Couldn't sleep at night, our fans felt like they were blowing hot air, and we would literally sweat all day and feel fatigued and tired. Soooo with that being said you can imagine how wonderful Alaska was!! We had some weird feelings and emotions coming back to the states (First time back in almost a year and a half). For example,

1. We caught ourselves numerous times staring at Taco Bell with our mouth's wide open and salivating.

2. When we saw how expensive food was at restaurants in Seattle we just wanted to order fat free water.
3. We were frantically looking for a Wal-Mart just to go look around.

4. We didn't have to worry about Taxi drivers cheating us.

5. We were a little weirded out at the airport when we saw customs and homeland security all carrying guns! (Not used to seeing a lot of guns in our neck of the woods).

6. Didn't have to worry about getting the runs!
7. Having to tip again was a little strange.

8. Everyone was friendly and could speak our language.

9. When we smelled something good, we weren't afraid to take a second whiff (people who have been to our city know exactly what we're talking about).
10. To be honest we forgot how to act American. We just felt socially awkward and didn't really know how to communicate with other Americans (Really weird feeling!).

We are back home safe and sound and the weather is actually finally cooling down! We took a lot of pictures of course and want to share them with you all.




Reunion with Dana's family at the Seattle airport



This is Mount Rainier. Can you see it?? It's kind of hidden but if you look close enough you can see the beautiful snow capped mountain.


Of course the Space Needle!


We found a cheesecake factory or did it find us?? Either way it was amazing!


The first Starbucks restaurant ever!!


This picture is of us on the cruise just after leaving Seattle!!


This is Sitka, Alaska. This was one of our four stops.




Standing with Justin at a Totem Pole

Seals on icebergs!

In front of Hubbard Glacier


Every night the cruise workers made cute little animals out of the towels and decided to make this one look a little cooler than the others by putting John's sunglasses on him.



Simply amazing!




Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau Alaska.




Breathtaking



A whale!




Formal picture with friends and family




This next picture is a little misleading...Dana is standing outside on the deck while the children are swimming in an indoor pool where it's nice and warm!




Making small talk and enjoying the beautiful ocean!


This was a very yummy dessert with real gold powder on top!




Here we are at the famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC! Very beautiful place!

Posted by johndygert at Wednesday, August 04, 2010 0 comments

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Lesson on Gross Meats and Good Meats

We had some good friends stop by and visit us and our city for a few days. It was a treat to spend some time catching up with them. Thanks for stopping by Justin and Yvette! One box of cereal is already gone, despite our effort to ration!


We didn't want our guests to miss out on any inexpensive and relaxing massages, so naturally we accompanied them to our favorite place we'd been to a couple times. They really do a good job on the foot massage part. When working one foot, the usually wrap the other foot in a cloth so it doesn't get cold. Well, this time they added a cute little bow to the cloth as they wrapped Dana and Yvette's. They were really hoping that the masseuse would give the boy's a bow, but sadly they only tucked.


Here's a random picture below, but we thought we'd give you an idea of what a typical person in this city might sleep on. Still complaining about your Serta mattress being too firm? This bed belongs to our dear friend who invited us to his home for some homemade hot pot. Yummy! He used his rice cooker - good idea!


The world cup was a much bigger deal here than in America. People would stay out late watching the game. Restaurants would put screens or tables outside with some tables for people to enjoy a late dinner. Below is a new shopping mall where they would show the game for whoever wanted to come and watch.


John stayed up until the wee hours of the morning watching the game at a friend's house. Dana was at home sick, but he did come home after the sun was up! Congrats Spain!


Here's one of the birthday parties of last month. John picked the "Gangsta" theme. Anyone reminded of middle school? Dirty.

So here's a lesson on meat. If it's been outside for who knows how long, smells, and has eyeballs on the same dish... don't eat it.


If it is barbecued right when you order it, seasoned to perfection, and you know what meat it is... eat a few sticks of them! We love these meat on a sticks. They are made by a Turkic minority group here in the city, so kosher is good. It's lamb and spicy and delicious and I'm hungry!



We came here for another birthday party. This really is the best way to eat these kabobs. No fumbling with chopsticks! Also good with their "pizza" or "unleavened" bread! (Nan)



We went to the new Karate Kid after barbecue. (It's a big deal to go to the theater here and it be in English!) It was pretty awesome - especially watching it while in Asia! We thought they did a great job with a lot of the cultural things and Jackie Chan is the bomb.


We're going to meet Dana's family in Seattle on Friday for a 7 day Alaskan cruise. We'll be sure to post a bunch of those pictures in a couple weeks, so stay tuned...





















Posted by johndygert at Sunday, July 11, 2010 0 comments

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