On the Road with Brent & Erika

We made it to South Korea! I wouldn't say "safe and sound" described our entrance and first couple of days though--it was actually full of some accidents and illnesses (more on that as we go along), but we're all recovered now and having a great time.


In order to get some great airline fares, we had several flights on the agenda...a three hour flight to Detroit was our first leg. Harper did great on the plane and fell asleep towards the end of the flight.


At the Detroit airport, Harper played in a little kid area during our four hour layover. Chasing a toddler around an airport for several hours is not an easy task and Harper managed to take a couple of spills resulting in a minor busted lip and a bruise on her cheek. Poor girl. Sadly, these were minor compared to what came next.


Harper was absolutely engrossed by the in-flight safety brochure. She studied it for a seriously long time, much to the amusement of the flight attendants. This was on our 12 hour flight to Tokyo. Harper slept about seven of those hours, sometimes in her car seat and sometimes sprawled out in our lap. She did good.


We stayed overnight at a hotel in Tokyo. Brent enjoyed the stylish Japanese robe and slippers provided by the hotel.

The next morning we woke up early to go back to the airport for our final flight to Seoul. As we were coming down for breakfast, Harper suddenly threw up all over both of us. Oh no! That was the first of seven up-chucks (hotel lobby, bus, security line at airport, twice on plane, Seoul airport, subway), yet we had to just plow forwards and do our last flight. It was pretty pitiful and not easy, but we made it, got her some medicine from a Korean pharmacy, and she bounced back quickly. A quick but fierce little bug that we will blame on Detroit.


Wearing her bib to help with the clean-up initiatives, Harper only wanted to lie on the floor as we waited to get on the plane. So pitiful.


The flight attendants on this flight to Seoul were above and beyond nice helping us take care of sick Harper. They brought us wet towels and even a toy for Harper.


We got a great view of Mount Fuji on this flight!


The flight attendants were also sweet to set up this little bed for Harper to sleep in. She slept most of this last flight with legs hanging off the crib. By the way, you know you're not in the US when your two hour flight has a full meal and alcohol.


With Harper recovered from her stomach bug, we went with my brother Ricky to a Korean barbeque restaurant on our first night.


Harper full of smiles again


Here is Ricky's cat Mong...


Harper loves Mong and does a good job petting her gently...Mong tolerates Harper.

Harper was awake off and on throughout that first night, asking us to turn on the lights. We ignored her and managed to stay in bed until around 5 a.m. Seoul is 14 hours ahead, so it's quite a significant adjustment. It took some days, but I think everyone is on Korean time now.


Our first full day in Seoul we visited Gyeongbokgung, which is a large palace complex.



Harper reluctantly getting into the Korean spirit.



Harubang figures that supposedly ward off evil spirits


Harper had fun being out of the stroller to walk around the palace grounds.


Harper contemplating the political intrigues amongst the Jeseon Dynasty...or maybe she was watching the fish in the pond.




Harper would run to catch up!



She helped Brent push the stroller too.



Pretty gazebo on the palace grounds


Brent's artistic take on the gazebo


That same day we visited a Buddhist temple as well.

The next morning we were planning to visit the National Museum with Kim (Ricky's girlfriend) and one of Ricky's friends. As we were milling around Ricky's living room gearing up to leave, Harper fell down somehow and banged her forehead on the edge of the TV table. It truly was one of the worst moments for me, as a mom, as she turned around crying and I saw not just a little, but a lot of blood beginning to pour down her face. I didn't know where she was hurt or how badly.

It was about a half-inch cut in the middle of her forehead, but head wounds bleed a lot! We jumped in a taxi and took Harper to the emergency room where they took an X-ray of her head (all was fine) and determined she needed some stitches. They wanted to put her under for this, so we did, and several hours later we left with a groggy baby and six stitches. Although Ricky speaks Korean, we were glad to have Kim with us through the experience to translate and help us navigate everything. We were pretty impressed with the care we received at the hospital and even with the X-ray, anesthesia, stitches and antibiotics, we only paid $138.00 for all of that. Plus we were asked to come in for several follow-ups to get new bandages and check on the progress--very attentive and conscientious.

We will get the stitches out in a few more days and Harper may have a little scar, although the doctor said with her age and skin, it should be no big deal. We are very relieved that Harper is recovering nicely and we are able to continue our trip with just a few adjustments because of the follow up visits. It gave us quite a scare, and we are all a little "hovering" around Harper now, as you can imagine!


After Harper had slept for several hours, we put her in the stroller and took a bus to the top of Namsan, a mountain with great views of Seoul. The walls are covered with padlocks and hearts with love messages, signifying strong, everlasting love. However, sometimes when a couple breaks up, one will go up here and break off their padlock.


Seoul Tower


We also visited the Korean War Memorial.

After Harper's first follow-up visit, we decided to leave Seoul and take an overnight trip by two hour bus to Anmyeon island on the west coast. Ricky's girlfriend Kim is a teacher, but we were happy that it was the weekend and she could come with us. After putting Harper to bed, we all hung out on the patio, grilled out a delicious dinner and stayed up telling stories. Lots of fun.


Ricky and Kim in cooking action


The next morning we visited the beach. It's more like an Oregon-type beach where you don't really get in the water. Plus Harper is supposed to keep her bandage dry.


Spelling Harper's name in the sand


Running to Uncle Ricky


Harper had a blast, and you can notice her little bandage on her forehead.


Harper loved walking in the sand and picking up shells.


Finally got tired and wanted to be held

We had walked quite a ways in our enjoyment when suddenly it began to rain! Ricky and Brent had decided to climb up to a little viewpoint, and I had started heading back with Harper so I was all by myself when the rain began. There was no place to take shelter except a 30 minute walk down the beach so I carried Harper in one arm while cupping my hand over her forehead with the other to try to keep her bandage dry. I was worn out when I got to shelter, and we were both soaked. Her bandage was sort of dry with all my efforts, but we had to go for a follow up the next day anyway, and it was all fine. Yet another adventure!

When I showed up at this tent shelter by myself with Harper, Korean people instantly swarmed us with kindness. They brought out a towel, wrapped Harper in a blanket and hovered around until Ricky and Brent came shortly after. Then they insisted on driving us in one of their cars to the bus terminal and gave us coffee to drink and refused any money we tried to give them. Korean people have been SO nice to us, and I think some of it has to do with Harper. She gets so much positive attention out here!


Wet Harper in her borrowed blanket on the drive to the bus terminal--we made it back on a bus with no further incident back to Seoul! While we waited in the bus terminal, I had fun buying all sorts of things at the Korean dollar store.



The next day was the 4th of July! We had coffee and a cookie to start off the day.


Harper and me walking up the steep hill to Ricky's place


We did a little shopping...


...and ate a delicious lunch of shabu shabu with Ricky and Kim.


Harper chowed down on the beef, rice and pasta. Here she is slurping up a spicy orange noodle.


So many bowls by the end of the meal!


And finally, here is Harper making new Korean friends--so cute!

We have a two-day window before the stitches come out so we are taking another short trip. Hopefully it will be a little more excitement-free, and we will bring along an umbrella! :) More to come as we still have five more full days in Korea and then five days in Japan!