What Derek did on Father's Day - June 21st

On this very warm and sunny first day of summer and Father's Day, we went to Ajax's Waterfront Festival (Whitby's Town Festival next weekend).
Again the police had a demonstration set-up with landing helicopter again, and this time we also saw an old-fashioned police car (like a black cab in London, England) and an RV they use as a central post for large disasters or crime scenes.
Watch out for Mama when you return!
There were also many inflatable bouncing castles, face painting and henna tatooing (Lyn got one), games for prizes, vending booths, and a great DJ band playing all the music I grew up to - you bet I boogied!;). I got a bag of chocolates for it and Derek a chocolate orange ball. You have got to see Derek's new dance moves with break-dancing shouder move and one-foot dance step!;). In the largest bouncy castle with slide, another mother and I were almost crying from laughing so hard! They let the smaller kids go in alone together and there was one a wee smaller than Derek and his mother was worried whether he could get up the steps to slide. I told her our monkey could probably help him... It was hilarious to see Derek trying manage the steps himself while helping the younger boy up the inflatable steps by pushing his bum! If only I knew how to use video function on cell phone quickly... They both made it and came down the short but steep slide in one quick swoop!
Derek's second driving lesson was on a much smaller course. He almost mowed Mom down as I was trying to prevent him from running over a cone!
You also have to see his swing to throw rocks (not smaller stones!;) in the water. He winds up his arm going around and around, and around some more... then threw some pretty far! A definite future baseball pitcher!;)
ALEX - You will get some cotton candy too at the next event, Canada Day, when you get home! (It was a small version of the cone).
Ajax's Rotary Park right by the water is great and we have to go back! Besides large playgym with new apparatus (apparati?) we haven't previously seen or tried, and splash pad, it has a great walking/biking dirt trail with long, wooden bridge, a marsh where we can lug canoe or kayak to, a geese hang-out, large drift wood, and of course, the rock launching pad!

Derek is saying he is missing you more often now... We send you more of our love, hugs and kisses. XOXOXOXOXOXOX

See update to DAY 3 and new DAY 4

DAY 4 - Practising Traditional Korean Arts: Paper craft & Mask dance - June 18, 2009

Quick one again...Went with subway to Gannam district (same district 2 subway stops away from SWS and across from COEX Mall).

Learned about meaning of the mask dance and then kids and adults taught to do one part of the dance. Very good work out and lots of fun! After we learned how to do this dance, we got a private performance. Then were asked who wanted to go up on stage to get dressed up for pictures. It was me who went up and got dressed up with mask and all and had to do the dance! I was sweating a lot because your breath stays in the mask and you can hardly see anything.

After this, we had a pizza lunch in the same building and went on to do a Korean craft, which was making a traditional trinket box. We saved one to bring back home for Derek! It was a bit of a messy affair but kids had a lot of fun.

Then we spent 1 hour in COEX Mall and returned by subway. The host family "SHIN" picked us up at a subway stop in main Seoul. The host family was extremely nice to us and seem to adore us! They want to see us again before we leave back home.

Love you and a big kiss to you and Derek! Alex and Willem (Papa)

NOT Willem... But will post as soon as Mom gets a photo!!!

DAY 6 - Seoraksan National Park - June 20, 2009

Sleeping was uncomfortable and hot because we turned on the floor heating by mistake! The floor heater was also for the hot water, hence turning it off the floor heater will give you a cold shower!

In rain, we were off to Mount Seokguram. Went almost to the top by gondola and hiked further to the top by foot. Alex liked the hike and had a blast. (Willem - how was the view?). There was also a Buddhist temple which Alex and I visited. Alex had his picture taken with the monk who gave him a lollipop. Alex gave him a Canadian/Korean friendship pin. Down from the mountain, they sold silk worms to eat and other snail-like things - didn't try it!
(Mom adding that this Buddhist temple, as per Leevi's blog... had a golden Bhudda and is the most revered site for Buddhists as is The Vatican for Catholics. And, they went to a grotto to see an ancient and highly revered, unearthed Bhudda -archeology usually being of great interest to Willem, so should have more details later!;).

After we went to a giant supermarket with food court and had lunch there. Sampled lots of food there. We boarded the bus again for a 5-hour bus ride to the south (skipping one stop because of the rain). Checked in the hotel condo and shared it again with the Muther's. Off to bed for church at 9am tomorrow, Sunday.

Running out of time on this computer. Hope to send you some pictures soon from my laptop.

Love you
Alex and Willem

DAY 5 - Participating in traditional Korean culture; Paper craft and Korean mask dance - June 19, 2009 (DAY 4 later)

Trying to type quickly on internet-paid connection in a basement as time is running out fast...

Had a beautifull last breakfast with host family. Found out later that their younger boy was crying and already missing Alex (WILLEM - What is boy's name?) Said our goodbyes and went with the taxi to the sponsor company hwere we meet every day. .Boarded a bus and the host mom was waving goodbye for a long time (WILLEM - How did you and Alex feel? Did you exchange contacts?).

Went to Korean Folk Museum and saw wonderful Korean dances and traditional wedding ceremony. Had lunch at the market of the museum. Also visited the jail where Alex went into the head locks and kids played in the old Korean farm setup (For more details on this very popular and interesting tourist attraction... Mom suggests you read Liam's and Leevi's blogs!;).

Then we were off on a 3-1/2 bus ride to the east coast. Arrived just before sunset and played on the beach right in front of the restaurant where we going to eat Korean style sashimi. Lots of live fish and squid in aquariums for consumption, not for decor! After, went to the hotel condo where we shared a traditional room with the Muther family of 4 travellers, sleeping on traditional Korean floor mattresses/pads on heated floors.

Derek wants to send hugs and kisses

Derek just heard about our telephone call last night while he was sleeping. He wants to send this:
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
derek
905_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Derek wants to say and write his phone number all the time now that he knows it well)
alex

DAY 7 - HURRAY!!! Finally got a telephone contact! - June 21, 2009 in Korea

Mom here... After not hearing anything from my boys for over 3 days, I was starting to feel a tinge of worry...!
Tried calling again and this time not only got a ring, but got Willem! Also was able to speak to my dear Alex for the first time... I tear writing this! Time - 23:45 Saturday in Canada, 11:45 Sunday in Korea.
Anyway, the communication problem has been two-fold. Uncharged batteries and time... If you've been reading the others' blogs, you will have read how this trip is orchestrated to a tee by one mother, and planned to the minute by another mother. Kelly, you'll love this - Willem says it is not a Motherland Tour, but an intense, yet highly enjoyable, Korean boot camp!;). And I would have been off this trip very early on, as I no longer have any doubts about. Even at the 4-day home-stay, the family kept them busy till late at night pleasing them by showing them this and that, restaurants, etc. These must be the most hospitable people in the world!
Willem says the travelling group is fantastic, children young and old are getting along fabulously, and of course, everyone loves Alex!;) Rosa Park, the young adult translator/organizer for the trip, refers to him as "her husband" apparently. He is hanging out most with Liam and Leevi, the other bloggers we are following. And, as hoped ... This is turning out to be an experience of a lifetime for Alex as he is soaking in all the sights and culture. He will have grown so much next time I see him, in just 2 weeks... How bittersweetly proud and happy for him, I am!
They had time to write all their postcards today, but apparently don't know when there will be time again to get postage for them!;)
Sunday (DAY 7 of trip - there is a lot of catching up to do from DAY 3, but Willem has been trying to keep notes while on the tour bus), they went to a morning worship service. And who did "someone from Korea" interview after the service, but Willem...!;). He was asked how often he attended church... His diplomatic answer - "irregularly"!;)
My Alex... His first question to me after I finished gushing to him about how happy I was to hear him, loved him, was proud of him, was... What is Derek doing?! Actually, it was "how" is Derek doing... My nurturing, yet don't want to be missing anything despite my own overflowing schedule, son!;). I told him that every morning when Derek and I got up, we said " goodnight Alex and Daddy", and before we went to bed, "good morning Alex and Daddy". Alex was eating lunch and although I couldn't quite understand what he said he was eating, it had sauce on it and they were going to bring me back some - Ha, ha Mama!
Alex suggested that Daddy could be the tour guide when Derek and I come visit - I replied that it could very likely be him, and I don't doubt that.
Finally, I told them that I have been keeping their blog active and they "hoped" to be able to see it soon!;)
A late goodnight from me and a mid-day "hello" from Alex and his Dad.