Family in Korea

That's right.  I have a cousin that lives in Korea!

Aaron and I took a trip down to Gwangju to pay them a visit.  Cousin Trevor and his beautiful wife, Ju Young, let us stay for a weekend.  It is very nice to have a Korean cousin-in-law that can interpret, take us to new places, and teach us the ways of the people.

Koreans are VERY generous.  We didn't buy one meal or any street food.  We didn't pay for transportation or any of our entertainment.  They are so generous.

Ju Young taught us some cool facts about Korea...

- When a Korean writes their name, they write it like this:  Jung Ju Young
(family name/last name) (generation name/middle name) (given name/first name)
The generation name, in this case, Ju, is given to all the children born of the parents.  For example Judy, June, and Ju Young.

-  Korean family roles are still very traditional.  The women do the housework: cleaning, cooking, and tending children.  Aaron tried to help clear the table after dinner one time but Ju Young insisted he stay seated, not sure if it was because Aaron was a guest and she wanted to make him feel comfortable, but the reason she gave was, "it is women's work."

- When a baby is born in Korea, the baby is 1yr old because they count all the time in the womb.  Then January 1st comes around the baby turns 2yrs old, despite how many months it has actually been born.  Everyone in Korea turns a year older on January 1st.   Ju Young is going to be having a baby next month.  When the baby is born in November, the baby will be 1yr old.  Then two months later, on January 1st, the baby will turn 2yrs old (even though the baby is technically only two MONTHS old).  Crazy counting!
- We were taught how to write our name!  Aaron: 아론  Amy: 에이미

We had a marvelous time family.  Until we meet again in the spring - this time to meet their new baby!

It was conference weekend.  We made the most of our train ride to Gwangju.

I can't get over the rice patties.  So pretty!

It was a festival weekend, not sure what they were celebrating,
but the street was full of vendors, music and delicious food!

Trevor and Ju Young live in an apartment above the roof tops.
I felt like I was from Mary Poppins - the Asian version.
On the rooftops of Gwangju, ooh, what a sight.

We met up with Ju Youngs family and they served us a wonderful, traditional Korean meal.  Very yummy - especially the Korean beef, which Korean pride themselves on.  All on the floor of course.
This is all the furniture in the living room.  A tv, a small table that folds away, a floor mat that heats up, and a shelf.

Fishing!
Pictured (from L to R) family friend, Ju Young's dad, family friend,
nephew, Trevor, Aaron, me, niece, Judy (sister), June's (sister) boyfriend 

Aaron giving it a whirl.   Unfortunately he didn't catch a fish... but I did!

To the ocean!  This is the ocean on the West side of the peninsula.  Very dirty water.  The East side is clear.

Our generous hosts - Ju Young and Trevor.
Eating another wonderful meal at Ju Young's aunt's restaurant.

We ate temple food, the food the Korean monks eat.  No meat, garlic, onion, chives, leeks, green onion, or strong spices.
"Very healthy. Good for hangover" says Ju Young (not that we were drinking).
Pictured behind us is the temple.