Munoz Family Visit

So, at the end of July the Munoz clan rolled into town. I had convinced them that it was only fair that they visit Scott and I because after all, they did go visit my sister in Taiwan, a few years back. This guilt method worked (although I wouldn't recommend it for frequent use - people will eventually stop talking to you) and we ended up having a fantabulous time.

Scott and I had a full week off from teaching (which is something special in this line of work), so we had time to really take Korea by storm. Kapow!

I could end this post now by say that we kept very busy gallivanting around the country and eating, but that would make for a short and boring post. So, please, let me continue with eight billion photos and captions (I'm barely exaggerating).

*One day we visited our local waterfall... and so did the rest of the town.*

My dad is so epic.

Here we (and some Koreans in the background) are.

*We also made our way to the Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan. It is the biggest fish market in Busan, probably Asia, and maybe the WORLD! Of course, that is an exaggeration, but it is quite big and full of fish (and other strange sea creatures).*

Giant crab - can be a really good thing or a really bad thing, depending on when and where you find it.

Some people selling their fish-n-stuff. There are puddles everywhere because all the sea stuff is dripping everywhere.

Fish shaped cakes (filled with red bean paste)... fun to look at, but if you've OD'd on red bean paste, as I have, not so fun to eat.

One of the more bad ass dudes I've seen in Korea. The way he is smoking that cigarette and counting his money is awesome. Moreover, it is funny that he's looking so bad ass while selling fruit. You should know though that I in no way advocate smoking. I think it is a gross, expensive, dangerous, and pointless habit. How's that for some unsolicited advice about smoking? Didn't see that coming, did you?

I'm quite proud of this picture because my camera usually doesn't focus things how I'd like, but this time it did. Scott bought some of these little fishes. They are still sitting in the fridge because I think he's forgotten about them. Lastly, don't miss how that lady has stuffed her arm(s) into these strange Korean arm cover things (to avoid getting sun).
Edit: Scott smashed up some of the tiny fish and used them in a stew yesterday.

Here we have Scott's afternoon snack... some freshly grilled squid (packaged in an old magazine page). It was delicious, if you enjoy squid - and maybe even if you don't.

*We also found our way to Namhae - an island off of the south coast of Korea. As I've mentioned before, you can drive there because they've built a bridge connecting it with the mainland. It is a really beautiful and mostly peaceful place. *

The weather was really cooperating this day.

After we successfully found the island we stopped at this shack with snacks, which will henceforth be known as the snack shack. Here are Scott and my dad buying some snacks.

This day she had some sort of lemonade/orange juice drink (made out of a lemony/orangey kind of fruit)...

And hard-boiled eggs (with salt for dipping). Pretty standard fair for a snack shack.

She wanted me to try the concentrated fruit (that the drink was made from), so I did because you can't really turn down a Korean offering you food. Or I s'pose you could, but I just couldn't stand being the cause of such confusion and hurt.

Scott is advocating a state or period of mutual concord between governments.

This is are little Kia Carens - so far she has served us well. We disagree whether it is a female or male, but since I'm writing this post, I say that it is a she.

Driving through the Korean countryside you see a lot of rice paddies, but they never cease to amaze me. Strikingly green and dreamily swaying in the wind - reminds me of a drunk Jolly the Green Giant. Okay, they don't really, but it sort of made sense, right?

There were some gorgeous views... like this.

And this.

Talk about a great view! Look at that fine hunk-a-burnin-love.

We found a beach (three in fact) and despite multiple warnings about how busy everything was going to be (because of summer vacation)... there weren't really many people around.

Strategically grown kiwi trees that you park your car under - best parking garage to date.

My sister and some silliness.

I am the unofficial navigator. I use a crappy little tourist map and so far we haven't gotten truly lost (we've had to make a few u-turns and take a few scenic routes, but we've never been lost lost).

This is my dad smashing his face against the back window of our car. This may help you understand why I am the way I am.

A little farming and fishing village clinging to the side of the mountain.

Terraced fields right down to the ocean.

Sisters and terraced fields... oh what a wonderful world.

Sunset.

This was the first day I've ever been a victim of my own game.

Was a pretty good time of day to be driving around the island.

If only this country weren't such a bore to look at.

Pizza! There is only one little town on Namhae island with pizza... and we found it.

Our last day in Namhae - it was rainy and stormy. This was the view from our room.

*Next we traveled to Jinju, where Scott's family friends (AS and her husband Mr. Sung) have a summer home. It was pretty sweet.*

As you can see, this is a ridiculous spider. What you can't see in the photo is the sequence of events that immediately followed the photo being taken. Click. Flash. Flips its big striped butt completely over (so the underside is facing us). SHOOTS POISON (or something) at my sister and I. A wee little bit of it gets on my leg. Flips its big striped butt back to normal. My sister and I totally freak out. I grow six more legs and turn our spare room into a giant spider web nest.

The ladies went on a nice peaceful walk around the lake near their summer home. And let me clarify, most normal Koreans don't have summer homes, but Mr. Sung has done well for himself. And is generous enough to let us hang out with him.

Oh no, which one is the real sky?!

Meanwhile, the men went on a really strenuous hike. Haha. The came back drenched in sweat. Scott had to carry the back pack with all the water bottles because he was the youngest.

My dad just being his weirdo self. The more time I spend with him, the more I learn about myself. I think he's a secret genius. We have a lot in common.

This was our end of the house... the place was huge.

My sister taking a nap in Scott and I's room. If there is one thing that the Munoz family can do and do well - it is nap.

The bathroom was pretty.

The view from the front yard. Now let me tell you a little story. Mr. Sung's family has lived on this little hill for a long time... he grew up here... his relatives live in those super old shacks. Then Mr. Sung grew up and made a lot of money. So, he tore down his parents' shack and built a super nice summer home. His brother still lives in the same town, so he takes care of things while Mr. Sung is away.

Sleeping on the floor: good for health! (Koreans say, "_____ is good for health," about a comical number of things.)

They prepared an American breakfast for us. It was actually pretty close to the real thing. Real bacon, real croissants, real jam, real fried eggs, real orange juice, and real toast with melted Kraft cheese slices (?!).


Well, it seems as though I've reached maximum capacity for one blog post. I didn't even know there was a limit. But, it won't let me add any more photos to this one... so please follow me to the next post.