A few weeks back we had some scheduled leave from work and
wanted to take a trip. We had originally thought to travel to Japan but I did
not do the required clearance paperwork in time so we had to do a stay-cation
which was OK. After talking over where to go, we decided to stay close and head
to Seoul for a few days. This will be a long post, so read on only if you have
the time.
The trip to Seoul is not too far geographically but the traffic makes up for it. Along the way, I am always up for the challenge of trying to eat a pretzel without it breaking in at least 2 spots. This was probably my first success with breaking it in only 1 spot! I know, little things get me excited.
The first stop for us was Seoul Forest. For those wondering how
there could be a forest in Seoul which is one of the world's larger cities,
please know it is more like a preserved piece of wilderness. It was nice to
find this as it was free (parking fee required but we never figured out how to
pay so it ended up being free).
A quick photo from the parking lot. Girls were happy about
these signs.
Zachary being just cute as ever.
The first place the girls wanted to visit was the Butterfly Garden. As luck would have it, it was of course closed but
they had some inside their greenhouse so walked through to find them.
Hazel ponders the wonder of the cactus plant. We reminded
her of her last encounter with cactus right before Zachary was born when she
touched what looked like soft fluff and ended up with 100’s of little spines in
her hands.
Again, cute kid.
Cool Fire-Belly Toad which the kids loved. Lots of HUGE pollywogs at the bottom.
Admiring the Korean Chipmunk
Zachary is either trying to eat the chipmunk or just saying hi. He loved it.
Strolling with dad.
Green plants were a welcome sight during the winter.
We did find the butterflies but there were only about 10 and we couldn't get a picture. Oddly enough the girls were not that excited at seeing them
One of the reasons we went to Seoul Forest was to feed the Toki's (rabbits). A friend from work had said this was something one could do. We found the Toki's but no way to feed them.
Beside the Toki's was a Korean Exercise station. These are all over Korea. It is mostly the elderly that use them - pretty cool if you ask me. Here is Zachary enjoying the dirt surrounding the exercise stations.
Inversion table
The next stop was to feed the dear. We are still wondering about what instruction they were trying to give us here. "Please wipe your feet on the mat" is my best guess.
While I was trying to find deer food Hazel and Charlotte tried to lore in the deer on their own. Thanks to this nice Korean gentleman they were able to attract the deer with more than their fingers.
I eventually found some food and let the girls give it a shot. Lots of squeals and laughter.
Before leaving the park we found a place for the girls to play.
I guess we didn't get a picture, but Zachary went crazy with joy on these slides. He tried so hard to jump out of our laps to slide on his own.
Quick snack before we went back to the hotel. We don't have this in the USA.
It is a drinkable yogurt. I thought it was good as did the girls. Jari did not care for it.
Breakfast in the morning was simple and done in the hotel. Zachary loves yogurt and Charlotte was really kind to feed him.
Such a cute kid. Have a said that before? Sorry. It's true.
The next adventure was to visit Seoul Tower. From the Army base where we were staying, it did not look that far on the map. Boy were we wrong. Very steep climb. I had to carry Charlotte for part of the way and at times it took both Jari and me to push the stroller up the hill. Glad I was not a pioneer with a handcart crossing the planes. Hard work.
But we made it. Hazel was less than thrilled about the trip, Charlotte happy once on her Dad's shoulders, and Zachary just wanted to be held or walk.
Yellow Dust = pollution and smog from China and Korea mixed with sand blown off the Chinese desert. This made the visibility of the tower minimal.
After what felt like a super long hike - we finally made it! To the trailhead that is. Again, girls were not thrilled.
Here is Charlotte 30 min later. Bless Jari 100 times over for thinking to tell them stories from her childhood about a dog they used to have. The girls LOVE stories. It served as a great distraction.
We are at the bottom of the map where the winding path starts.
Hazel starting having fun when we heard a woodpecker going to town in the trees. It gave her something to listen for.
Zachary ALMOST made it. Feel asleep just as we arrived.
Awesome.
Nothing says Korea like the first high definition TV tunnel. All the Koreans that arrived there were taking pictures of this.
At the base of the tower there are these "Love Trees" which we did not know about before arriving. Clearly they look like Christmas Trees.
The idea is that you and your special someone write your names on the locks and attach them on the tree. Kind of cool.
Our loving family
Notice sign at the top left! Apparently there was a cable car!
[No caption can explain this one]
A view from the top of some of the city and lots of yellow dust.
Just a short plane ride for Jari back to the mission field.
Or home?
More yellow dust
Ah yes, remember the paparazzi? They still want pictures with the girls. Maybe if I bribe them with Ice Cream they will smile one of these days for them
Nope
But we did get some great family selfies!
Fun hike -
Heading back down
Ridding on shoulders to stay awake
Some smog cleared and we were able to see the tower in the late morning
A few trips back, we attempted to go to the Children's War Museum. It is right next to the Army Base on the south end of Seoul. Short but a great place to visit.
Hazel too made it up this wall but once she looked down and realized what she had done, she got scarred and would not go near the wall again. Funny.
Day 3: On to Kidzania!!!!
Kidzania was founded in Mexico City and now is found in many countries throughout the world. It is a place where kids are able to role play various jobs. They get paid for some and have to pay to do others for reasons explained below. Normally this place is packed but we were there on a low volume day which was great!
You "arive" in Kidzania as if you had just landed at an airport. Thus the Korean Air.
Takin in the sites. One of jobs here was learning to be a pilot or airline attendant. Our kids did not meet the hight or age requirements so we skipped it.
First job was being a dance performer. All I can say was all those dance leasons for Charlotte must have been lost as it was Hazel who enjoyed this the most. Check out their performance.
https://youtu.be/Qeyj5hbq374
Zachary was clearly too little to enjoy anything so he just wandered around.
Next stop was the hospital.
Charlotte chose to be an ER doctor
Here she is looking at xrays. Her favorite part was pretending to shock someone to restart their heart. She really enjoyed it. I think she could have a future in medicine.
The opposite could not be more true for Hazel.
She VERY reluctantly became a first responder. Here she is learning chest compressions. Can you tell how much she is enjoying it?
Sorry for the blurry cell phone pictures but her dislike was so funny to me I had to document the misery as she pretended to go help someone.
Finding the victim
Getting ready to help.
Starting chest compressions.
Here is a little video of the experience:
https://youtu.be/XgTgO8HJrFg
Back at the hospital and still enjoying herself.
Who knows what the future holds but I'm not sure she is interested in medicine at all.
Next job, creating their own cell phone apps.
One of their favorites was being fire fighters. Here they are getting dressed up after receiving a call ths local hotel was on fire.
Possed and ready.
Loaded up in the truck. They then drove to the hotel.
Hazel working the fire hose like a pro.
The light in her window went out first by programing so she was convinced that she did the best at putting the fire out. We agree. Great job.
Charlotte did great as well! Had a blast while blasting the fog and flames.
No height requirement gratefully.
This little peace sign over the heart was some pledge they took to help others.
Here was one activity that required they use the money they earned. Orange Juice making. Hazel was super excited about this one.
First up was learning to make juice from concentrate. She seemed shy or unhappy for a bit which was odd considering her excitement. She then asked the lady something (we were behind glass so could not hear what was going on). Thankfully she spoke enough 3 yr old English to get the hint...
A stool! Now she was as tall as Charlotte and could see better.
Working on the concentrate juice.
They then picked 3 oranges and got to load them in a juicer.
Here is Charlotte loading here oranges and Hazel filling up her bottle.
Cheers!
While I took laps with Zachary the girls were able to design flower arrangements. Effectively this meant that the workers arranged flowers for them and the girls added some finishing touches.
Darling Charlotte. Check out Hazel below whose photo is out of order but immovable on the mobile app of blogger...
Another activity Jari got to watch while I wrestled with Zachary (nap time was missed) was chocolate making.
Here they are loading the molds with the chocolate. They then cooled them some how and wrapped and boxed the chocolate. Pretty cool

Hazel and her flowers.
So what did we not get to do: modeling, radio talk show, police, army, banker, fast food worker, cereal factory, snack factory, dunkim donuts, golfing, mercedes test driving, rescew crew, and so much more.
There is a Kidzania coming to the US, somewhere in the south west. Worth a visit.
Charlotte was happy to find this. Yes Mama Mia is playing in Korean here. As is Newsies and a few others.
Enjoying their juice at home the next day.
The little peace sign is a little thing they do here. Charlotte, and consequently Hazel as well, thinks it is cute. I will let anyone vote who made it through the post.
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