Seoul during Social Distancing

 Work continues as usual.  It's been nice having the kids back in class, but it is quite exhausting for your favorite introvert.  I've been missing my "me" time.  I do have a countdown of my last working days left... 13 to go, people!  There's a lot of running around left to do, but there is also an end in sight, which is kinda awesome... and yet terrifying.  Weird to think I'm leaving Korea.  Though it was weird to think that I was moving to Korea in the first place, so I guess the lesson here is just that life is weird.  

Anyway, I went to Seoul on Saturday to get a pic that my brother in law had asked me to get at the War Memorial.  To be fair, he asked FOREVER ago, but I was bummed cuz the last time I went there the War Memorial was closed.  So when I got to the memorial today, I was surprised to find that it was open!  I finally was able to go see the bottom floor, which had the history of war in Korea up until the Korean War itself.  I'd already seen all the Korean war stuff last year when Mo and Michael where here, but this time I wanted to see the other stuff.  

The pic Michael had asked for - this is the list of soldiers from Wyoming who died in the Korean war.  They have a list of all the soldiers who passed away, separated by country and for the US, also separated by state.

I didn't know that there were petroglyphs in Korea, so this was kinda cool to see.

Weapons are kinda the same everywhere when you go back far enough.

I like how they did these.

Boats!

Turtle boat!

The inside of the boat.

I keep on forgetting how long Korea was colonized by Japan.  

A model of the Hwaseong fortress in Suwon.  It was kinda cool to see this since I've been to the actual fortress before.

The sharp and the shiny.

My standard Korean pose for the selfie.  Hehe.

It was a beautiful day out - got up to 50, so I was enjoying being out without having to wear thermals.  I decided to stop Vatos for a last zonarosa and a burrito.

There was a sign that said the zonarosa was new... I've been here 2 years and I can assure you, it's not new.  This has been my favorite margarita ever since I've been here.  

The burrito wasn't as big as I remembered, but it was still pretty darn tasty.

I have to tell you, the vibe in Meyongdong and Itaewon was a lot different than it was 2 years ago.  There was a lot less people, way more empty stores, and a kind of quiet resignation that was tough to feel.  Those areas used to be teeming with people (mostly tourists), full of life, and sometimes downright crazy.  It really brought home how Corona has changed things, especially with the social distancing.  I used to go to Vatos at off-peak times just to be sure I could get a table.  Today, it almost felt sullen... this has truly been tough for everyone, and I can only imagine what it's been like for people who really count on tourist money.  It was really weird and kinda depressing, I must admit.  I've been to Gangnam recently and the vibe there didn't feel the same.  Of course, I never spent much time in Gangnam before the pandemic, so maybe it's just a matter of having less of a reference.  I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job of conveying the strangeness that I felt today... and that's what it was... just strange.  People talk about when things go back to normal... I'm not so sure they ever will be.  

I also decided to stop by Lush to get a few things before I head home (harder to justify when I'll be unemployed).  I actually was able to go in, get what I needed, and get out with minimal attempts at upselling.  After that, I headed home.  When I got back to Dongtan I went to OK Mart to get stuff to make chili tomorrow.  I am happy to report that I was able to get everything, so if I decide to do nothing but cook, watch movies, and be lazy I can!  It is only 8pm and I'm exhausted.  I think I'll take one of those epic showers - shave, face mask, exfoliate, the whole 9 yards.  Hehe.  Much love to all, I'll be seeing you soon.