Back to Seoul for the final leg

We're back in Seoul, or should I say Incheon, which is the town next to the international airport and next to Seoul (hotels are cheaper out here, but it's a real schlep to get back into the city). The first day back we visited my great uncle in the hospital, where, from his hospital bed as he recovered from surgery, he lectured me about my career (apparently, "working for the New York City government" doesn't translate into something prestigious enough for him). At least he's feeling well enough to pass judgement on me. After my career coaching session, we met up with Dr. Song, who our family had known when he lived in the states briefly. His family, in turn, acted as my adopted family during my tumultuous 3 months back in 2004 (again, see the original Seoul blog for all the help they gave me back then). Amazingly, he sent his wife and children to Canada so they wouldn't have to run the gauntlet of the Korean school system. He's staying behind for now but should be joining them soon. Further proof of what I was saying earlier about the brutal nature of the Korean education system.

Yesterday I scored serious tourist jackpot at Gyeongbokgung, the main palace from back in the day, where I was lucky enough to witness an elaborate recreation of a royal ceremony. Again, sorry for lack of pictures--they're really astounding--but trust me, it was quite a sight to behold. I also met expat teachers Justin and Nana again for dinner, and will visit the international school where they teach on Tuesday. Definitely looking forward to that one!

I also made a detour to the Sinchon area of Seoul, where I lived and studied during my previous stay. It was a strange nostalic journey; I had such a tough time with school and life in general then, but nevertheless, I felt compelled to go back to the building where I lived, the campus of Yonsei, and the streets where I went to countless karaoke and drinking sessions. It definitely brought back memories of four years ago; not all of them good, but things that have still stuck with me till this day. I was hoping to write about this a little before I left for this trip, but basically, because of the unexpected nature of my departure due to my mother's sudden illness and eventual demise, I'd always felt that this particular chapter of my life, the 3 months in Korea, was something that I needed some sort of closure on. This trip has gone a long way in providing that closure. It's not something that is easy to explain, but I will try to do so once I get stateside.

Anyway, coming up next on the agenda: a visit to an island with historical significance (the name of the island and the historical significance both escape me) and a round of golf with my dad's friend. Yep, golf in Korea. More on all of this later!