Well, Labor Day weekend was for me at least.  Nice little road trip to the East Sea of Korea.  Half the fun was getting there.  Let’s ride!

It’s always sweet to live the hustle bustle of the city behind…

Once you hit Route 6 you can’t go wrong…

When you travel through the mountains in Korea, you travel through the mountains.

You can’t spend much time on the highway without taking a break for some Korean noodles.  Well, I can.  But I’m not Korean.

Did I mention there were tunnels?

And some nice two lane blacktop…

Arrive safely in Gangnuem where we booked a room in this comfortable place for 50,000 Won.

And enjoyed ocean views like this…

…and this.

The room was small but functional and comfortable.

Sharing the morning coffee with a butterfly…or is that a moth?

A rainy morning on the beach was actually quite pleasant…

And now I’m back safe and sound in the city…

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Headin’ out for a little Labor Day road trip to the Sea of Japan East Sea.

Speaking of driving, how are y’all enjoying watching the Dems drive the economy straight into the toilet.  Summer Recovery my ass!  Michael Rameriz nails it…

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equals Typhoon.

For the first time in nearly six years that I’ve been here, they shut down the garrison here in Seoul.  Which means no work today for moi.

Let it Blow! Let it Blow! Let it Blow!

(which it has been.  some strong gust woke me up around 0600.  it is calmer now though and not much rain).  So, this ain’t no Hugo, that’s for sure.

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Really had a most excellent birthday.  Duke and Ji Young came over for dinner with the baby Friday night.  Then we went out for darts.  Saturday night, Jim and YJ hosted a birthday bash at Dolce Vita.  Lots of good food, good friends, and darts!  Oh, I understand we did some drinking too.

Here’s a few pictures to help me remember…

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See I had every intention of getting back into a daily posting routine.  And wouldn’t you know it, yesterday my internet goes out and stays out all the day long.

So, instead of posting here, I finished season 2 of The Wire.  A great show by the way.  I also went to E-Mart (sorta a Korean Wal-Mart superstore kinda thing).  And since I was near the electronics market I picked up some DVDs for future enjoyment.

But hey, let me offer up something meaningful here for your consideration:

Words elude me, but this picture is just wrong.  In so many ways.

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…but not today.

I don’t really have the Summertime Blues.  More the blahs.  Plus nothing much to say.

Did have a nice little dinner party Sunday.  And I’m enjoying darts again.

And it seems August is going to be a month of reunions.  Petro is in town tonight, Dave New flew in yesterday apparently, and Duke is expected this weekend.

Life is quiet, but good.

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Fascinating first hand account from General James Van Fleet of how Washington, DC policymakers undermined victory in Korea.

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So, I’m walking down the street in Itaewon tonight and I happen to notice a young Korean man wearing a T-shirt that says “an American classic” with a picture of a Jeep FC-170.  In fact, I think it was this very picture:

So, I mean this particular Jeep is kind of a rarity even in the USA.  It was not ever that popular and not many were made.  I guess that makes it a collectible.

Truth be told, I happen to own one myself:

Ok, so my version is rather small.  But still.

Anyway, the significance (for me) is that this was my father’s vehicle of choice when I was a small child.  Lot’s of memories of desert camping outings and Kern River adventures.

I’m guessing y’all might have figured out that the cab over configuration and the Jeep grille gave the vehicle our affectionate nickname of “Bullfrog”.

The brothers McCrarey and the Bullfrog….

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No, not mine.  Korea’s.  Came across this article in a 1944 issue of Life magazine and found the perspectives quite interesting.  Perhaps you will as well.

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Well, we have the forces of the US/ROK alliance as represented by the carrier George Washington:

Up against the fearsome North Korean navy:

Pray for peace.

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…and the law won.  Don’t it always?

My first traffic infraction in nearly six years in Korea.  And my last ticket before that was back in 2000.  It seems that one of the ubiquitous traffic cameras caught me doing 76 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.  Actually, I don’t tend to be a lead foot driver.  I’m guessing this occurred during the transition from a 80 km/h speed limit.  Yep, the age old speed trap appears to be a global phenomenon.

It appears flaunting the law is going to set me back 70,000 won.  

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So for the Independence Day weekend, we took a roadtrip out to the West Sea on Korea’s, well, west coast.  Now, to the rest of the world, this is known as the Yellow Sea.  It would only make sense to call it the West Sea if Korea were the center of the universe.  Oh wait.  I’ve answered my own question.

Anyway, the weekend started and ended with overcast days and rainy nights.  It all worked out fine though.  Saw some excellent countryside on the drive, which was really the point of the trip, before encamping at Daechon Beach in Boryeong.  This is the site of the famous (well, famous enough to have a Wikipedia entry) annual Boryeong Mud Festival.  Missed it this year by 2 weeks (it begins on the 17th) which is a good thing.  Room rates triple and I imagine things get a tad crowded.  Saturday and Sunday were pretty hoppin’ as it was.

Anyway, it was a good trip.  Photos pretty much suck, but here they are anyway:

Stopped at the Hwaseong rest area/foodcourt/gas station along the highway.  It seemed like half the population of Korea was there as well, but really the facility was built to handle volume and thing went rather smoothly.

The food court options were numerous if you were in the mood for something Korean.  Me, I was was craving a Big Mac…

Cripes, where did I park?

Hey, somebody stole the West Sea!  No, the tide was out near Amyeong…

Barbecue shell for dinner at a seaside restaurant in Daechon…

Preparations for the mud festival were in full swing.  Bali Bali!

The view from my night 2 room.  I stayed on the beach the first night, but damn, Koreans like to beach party all night long. Loudly!  Actually, I could still hear them clearly from my off the beach venue as well.

Typical Daechon architecture.   The big blue motel sign marks the spot of my first night’s residence.

By Monday morning the crowds had left and Daechon took on a more serene posture.

The Yellow West Sea.

It is always nice to get out of town and see that there is a whole ‘nother world and lifestyle beyond the concrete environs of Seoul.

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Here comes the bride:

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It was 60 years ago today that the North Koreans invaded the Republic of Korea.  Things got ugly fast, then with American-led UN intervention, they got better, and when China engaged they got bad again.  Finally, things ended up in a stalement (aka armistice) pretty much where they began, except for the hundreds of thousand dead and utter destruction and devastation of both countries.  That’s the short version of the war, a longer one can be found here.

Althought tensions have been running high on the peninsula of late, relative peace and tranquility reigns south of the 38th parallel.   Not so much up North of course, but it is that comparison that is the truest indicator of who won the war.  I doubt there are many citizens of the ROK who would willinging trade places with their DPRK brothers and sisters.

And so on this anniversary of that infamous day of invasion we should pause to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrafice that others may live thier lives in freedom and prosperity.

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In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, let’s look yojas in the military…

A salute to the ROK Marines…

Special Forces….

and the Air Force.

More here.

Thank you for your service!

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Today I had the pleasure of attending the Honor Guard ceremony in remembrance of General Walton Walker, Eighth Army Commanding General during the opening months of the Korean War.   He is sometimes referred to as “the savior of Korea” for his stout defense of the “Pusan Perimeter” in the summer of 1950.  You can read all about the man and his exploits at the link.

U.S. and ROK soldiers on the parade ground.

Looking sharp in those dress uniforms…

The 8th Army band was in excellent form as well…

LTG Fil, 8th Army CG and Korean dignitaries perform the ritual of reviewing the troops.

Speeches were made and the flags of many nations fluttered in the breeze.  Not implying any connection between those two events!

The U.S. Honor Guard Company soldiers marched past…

…followed by their ROK counterparts…

We moved across the street to 8th Army Headquarters where there was a fascinating exhibit of Korean War photos on display…

…and remembrances of the man being honored.  What is interesting about those stars is they are the same ones the General Eisenhower pinned on LTG Patton during WWII (Walker served under Patton).

The Walton Walker statue waiting to be unveiled.  And after a very nice speech from American Ambassador Stephens…

…General Walton appears in bronze.  (I know it’s a crappy picture, but I couldn’t get closer with all the brass and muckety-mucks milling about…I’ll get a better photo one day soon…promise!)
A great day to be in Korea!

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A generally positive review about the ‘twon in an online mag called Busan Haps.  Now, Busan is about as far away from Itaewon as you can get in Korea without crossing water, but the linked article is from the “travel” section.  So, I guess that makes it ok.

Anyway, I might have a small quibble or two with some of the bar descriptions, especially as it relates to the purported clientele of these establishments, but it wasn’t full of the hate and scorn many folks have for my adopted hometown.  I did have to smile at the description of my favorite hangout, Dolce Vita:

For all you pool wizards and dart heads out there, the best two joints to venture into would have to be Bless U Bar and Dolce Vita.  There’s no point in even writing your name on the board if you’re not amazing at pool at Bless U Bar, and usually Dolce Vita as well.  Dolce Vita has 3 or 4 dart boards, so if you’re looking to start or get into a league, this is the place to be. It’s quite a trip when you first enter and see all these darts whiz by over your left shoulder; it almost feels like a bunch of archers practicing in front of a king from the middle ages.

Heh.

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Another Friday, another yoja.  This week–Lee Yeon Hee.

And if you think she looks great in the traditional hanbok, you should see her out of it:

Told ya…

who me?

give us a  little smile Yeon Hee

You might also enjoy watching her in action here….

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The war of words continues apace here on the Korean peninsula.  The ROKs are busy constructing loudspeakers along the border so they can tell the NORK people their leaders are the world’s biggest jerks.  Said jerks have responded that this means war!  And this time we really, really mean it.

An oh yeah, Seoul will become a sea of flame and all that.

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As far as Saturday nights go, last night was a pretty good one.  It commenced with a fine farewell party/dart tournament for Dan Orrico and Rod Rodriguez at, wait for it, Dolce Vita Pub.  The evening (for me at least) ending with a Korea victory over Greece in the opening round of the World Cup.
Some of us brought along some vittles to supplement the Dolce menu.  My contribution was pulled pork barbecue, slow roasted in the ol’ crock pot.  It seemed to go over well enough as indicated by a lack of leftovers.  Then again, there was a huge crowd.  28 teams in the doubles tournament which may be a record for Dolce.  Even though my mediocre darts resulted in a two and out for me and my partner, it took a couple of hours to be eliminated.  The tourney was still going strong when I departed the bar.

In addition to the large dart crowd, there was a small but vocal contingent of Koreans watching the football (soccer) game.  I’m no fan of the sport, but there was some strong energy pulsating in Seoul for the Red Devils last night and I couldn’t help but catch the buzz.  Long after I had retired to bed and well into the wee morning hours I could hear drunk Koreans celebrating (screaming loudly) as they meandered home through the streets of my normally quiet neighborhood.

Today Tom and Yuli Randolph are hosting a barbecue get together in honor of Rod and Dano.  We’ll be bringing some Galbi for the grill, watermelon and the pineapple upside down cake I’m fixin’ to bake.  Unlike last night, I intend to remember my camera so I can capture the highlights for posterity.

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