shopping and stuff....

So I forgot to mention that yesterday afternoon we headed off to Itaewon to go to the Italian restaurant that we ate at last time (best italian ever!).  On the way over in the 30 minute subway ride we were squished like sardines,, C wanted to sleep and the subway riders literally PUSH as hard as they can to get on.  YOu couldn't move, it was 1000 degrees and I was getting light-headed and freaking out (apparently).  The cold air felt soooo good once we hit the outside.  At dinner I felt woozy and yucky and ended up staying in the bathroom most of the time..... two hours later we were finally able to get back to our hotel, having to stop at nearly every stop so I could RUN to the bathroom.

C slept through everything, there was a bench at dinner and we laid him down.  He didn't wake up until almost back to the hotel.  It was funny because he never misses a meal and every time we mentioned dinner he didn't budge.

So we weren't able to shop for mom's SOCKS that she's addicted too.

Yesterday we started our morning off with the most expensive cup of coffee and tea we've ever had.  Mom and I got hot tea ($10 each) but it was a pot full.  Ryan on the other hand had the smallest cup of "not-so-special" coffee he's ever had for $10!!!!  The bagels were 2.50.. who would have known!  It was in the hotel of course and I think we are at one of the highest rated hotels in seoul.

We walked and found the Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do building and got there in time to see the team practicing for the demonstration.  We walked to the museum and the curator ask us to sign the guest book.  I wrote C's name in Korean and the guy talked to him the whole time and called their international relations director to come meet us.  He translated for the guy and the guy was beside himself on us adopting C.  The director then showed us back to the demo hall and told us that the students take classes for about 15-20 years and after they finished this year they would be allowed to teach.  They were considered masters but weren't at the highest levels.  He showed us to some seats and told us that the team was the best of the best in korea and that they didn't get many tourists (outside of group tours) at the facility.  It was a little difficult to find but well worth it!  The best part is after the demo the tour group that came is was able to do pictures with the athletes, so I ran C over and he got to take a photo with all of them.  He sat in one of the ladies laps and couldn't stop smiling that he took a picture with them!  So all we've heard today is "everyone is kung fu fighting" or "everyone is tae kwon do-ing..."

He told us to stay for the demonstration and he'd be back with a souvenir for us and C.  Super nice facility, beautiful setting near the children's library in Kangnam district and walking distance to SWS.

Afterwards we rode the subway to Namdaemoon and shopped.  We were given a hanbok by G's foster mother but we also bought another one, slightly larger for her baptism.  It's a new style hanbok and looks like a southern-bell hanbok... seriously it's sooooo Gone with the Wind with the tucks in the skirt that poof it out. Gorgeous embroidery and butterflies all over it.

It started to rain but barely, so we headed to Itaewon so we could get 'socks' and go to a store that I got C's year of the rooster painting.  BUT OF COURSE at lunch (I didn't eat) I got sick all over again and spent most of the next hour in the bathroom.  I tried to do some shopping but felt AWFUL so we headed back to the hotel.  (Will we ever get to Itaewon for mom's socks is the question?)

C actually slept all last night and got up at 6.  He never napped, though his behavior could have used one!

Since it's raining, R and I are going to head back to Itaewon and mom is watching C at the hotel.  We'll probably do something special for him this afternoon. There is a theme park indoors that we might visit, or the aquarium.

The weather is great, temperature wise, just need it to stop raining.

More tomorrow!