Spring!!

Spring is finally here!  We took the kids and a friend to Namsan this weekend (after a failed attempt to make it to the zoo at Seoul Grand Park because there were so many cars it looked like the Bay Bridge at 8:30 am on a Monday).  We bought some kimbap and drinks and had a little picnic before heading to the National Theater to park and walk the run/walk trail.The benches were warmed by the sun and felt really great to lay on.  If I hadn't had the kids with me, I'd probably have taken a nap.

Note the sign below is in English.  I didn't see any signs in Korean about keeping your dog on a leash.  Gotta watch those nasty foreigners--all just itching to ruin the place.  Seriously, I think this sign is up because you see a lot more non-Koreans out walking big dogs than you do Koreans.  Although, that day, most people had their dogs on leashes, except a couple of Korean dog owners.  Hmmm.  Need to put that sign in Korean, too, people.Oliver and Ronan love forsythia blossoms.  They learned all about them at school and love too throw them in the air and watch them fall to the ground, spinning like a helicopter.  Here, Oliver poses with his beloved 개나리 (kenari).This was pretty cool.  I stood there for a while snapping pictures before I realized this was a 'grass sculpture.'  A woman behind me said, "Oh, it's a woman," and thought she was talking about me.  But, before I could yell at her for being rude : - ) I noticed the sculpture.  It is, indeed, in the shape of a sleeping woman.Oliver and Dahin check on Dahin's neo-puppy on her cellphone on the steps of the National Theater.At the entrance to the walking path--notice who is tired (hint: he's on the right side--little buggar).And,victory!  Yes--Ronan won the "carry me" battle, first by having Dahin carry him, and then me.A water break at the spring.Oliver rests at the archery pavillion.  This pavillion has been around for centuries.  The target was so far from the archers; really impressive.Ronan finds some cherry blossom leaves.  The boys, especially, like to collect them and then throw them in the air.  The walk that day was beautiful because, as we were walking, the blossoms were falling all around us.

Exhibit A (well, the only exhibit I have):  An Italian Greyhound, off her leash.  Lizzie was a very sweet dog and very friendly--so friendly she was chasing after everything she saw move and wagging her tale.  Very cute.  But LEASH people!!  Owner was not a 'foreigner,' although the Korean man's English was quite good.I love this path.  It goes 3.5 kilometers one way.  I ran both ways about 2 weeks ago and it was so wonderful.  The hills killed me (although, you can see that in most spots it is relatively flat).  But, after running on a running machine all winter, this was the perfect challenge.  I hope to make it out there again soon before the weather gets too hot.  Below, you can see Namsan peeking through the trees.  Beautiful views!Ronan was washing his face in the stream.  Passersby thought this was cute.  Oliver threw up some cherry blossoms and yelled, "엄마, 사랑해!"  (I love you, Mommy!).  Very sweet (made up for the public grooming by his brother).

Ronan explores the mediation/massage path.  You're supposed to remove your shoes and walk on the path--ouch.  Ronan made up a new style of getting through the course--works for me!