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    Mango Kids Pool Villa — Gapyeong

    During this past Christmas break, Seoul instituted a ban on private gatherings of five or more people. Korea has been dealing with another wave of outbreaks this winter. While we have appreciated Korea’s overall response to the pandemic, for better or worse these restrictions have proven to be a bit isolating to this family of four.

    During a recent trip to see the Christmas lights at Garden of the Morning Calm, I saw a huge sign on the side of a building that said “Mango Kids Pool Villa.” Out of curiosity and with a possible trip in mind, I checked out their website and Leah and I decided to give them a try. 

    Mango Kids Pool Villa is about a 5–10 minute drive from the Garden of the Morning Calm in Gapyeong-gun. Over the last couple of years, we have grown to love the Gapyeong area as there is much to do and it is only about a 1.5–2 hour trip outside of Seoul.

    We stayed in Villa C, which is one of the more basic villas. 

    The main living area had all sorts of toy sets, costumes, and things to jump and climb on. 

    Pool Villa Play Area 2Pool Villa Trampoline

    There was a tiny room the girls called the “clubhouse” at the top of the padded stairs. The orange door below led to a 노래방 (no-rae-bang) or “karaoke room” complete with a disco ball and thousands of songs to choose from in Korean and English. This doubled as a bedroom for the girls in the evenings. We brought a Pack-n-Play for our almost 2-year-old, and the almost 4-year-old slept on a yo (Korean floor mattress). 

    Pool Villa Play Area 1

    The pool section was great for our young girls. It was heated and was a decent depth to wade around in.

    Pool Room Villa

    Though not thoroughly ventilated and a bit humid, the girls loved playing in the water, going down the slide, and the “rainbow’ and “donut” floaties. They also included life jackets. Only one was the right size for our girls, but the floaties worked great since we were in the pool with them.

    Pool Villa

    The bathroom was no-frills and a standard “shower on a floor” seen in many apartments in Korea. The bathroom did have a kid-sized toilet, high quality kids’ soap, and full sized towels! 

    Bathroom Pool Villa

    The master bedroom included a queen size bed, an adjoining twin size bed, and a monstrous tv. 

    Bedroom Pool Villa

    We were most impressed by how this hotel thought of everything for families with children. The kitchen came with all of the kids dishes and utensils guests could need, two Trip-Trapp style high chairs, and a Nespresso machine for the tired and weary parent. They also had bottle-cleaning supplies, pots & pans, and a basket of breakfast delivered to your door the night before. 

    If you choose, you can also pay an additional small fee to use the BBQ feature on the kitchen table and cook your own meat. 

    Kitchen Pool Villa

    So we could maximize time with the play equipment, I picked up pizzas and ice cream in a nearby town and we ate dinner in. (There is not much in the direct area outside of Korean bbq… it’s best to bring your own food and snacks unless you want to drive 20 minutes to a restaurant.)

    Pizza Pool Villa

    This hotel does not skimp on quality of supplies and preparation. Most of the toys are HAPE brand and had no missing pieces, stains, or damage. We did not feel worried about cleanliness as everything from the toys, appliances, and play equipment appeared to be regularly cleaned and sanitized.

    playplace pool villa dollhouse pool villa

    Overall Review and Cost: 
    It is obvious the owners of Mango Kids have put much time and intentionality into preparing a comfortable and exciting space for families. In addition to all of the supplies in the room, the villas also have a store in the office where you can borrow board games and buy supplies (including swim diapers). The facilities and toys are well maintained and cleaned regularly. While the price is rather steep (>500,000 KRW a night), the rooms are well supplied for a stress free visit, allowing parents and kids alike to enjoy the amenities. It also seems there are many more options available during the summer, including outdoor train rides, electric car rentals, and porches/decks with a bbq on some of the villas. I highly recommend this hotel for the occasional fun family trip. 

    Booking: 

    To book a pool villa, you may go to the Mango Kids website or you can call them directly (010‑8899-9059) after browsing through the different room options. There are staff members who speak English if needed. One booking tip that I’ve found on Korean hotel websites is to go to the 실시간예약 or “real-time reservation” page and you can see which rooms are available on your desired dates. 

     

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    Weekend Trip to Osaka, Japan

    With the recent busyness of my graduate schoolwork, position change, and adjusting to life as a family of three, it’s been some time since we traveled outside of Korea. During our recent Thanksgiving break, we had a long weekend and decided to check out nearby Osaka, Japan.

    OsakaCastleFamilyPic

    We left for the airport right after school and flew on Peach Airlines, a knee jammed, but efficient discount carrier from Incheon (ICN) to Kansai International Airport (KIX). Peach offers great prices for airline tickets across Asia, but charges for the extras (meals, checked luggage, seat preference, etc.). If flying Peach, it’s worth noting you need to print your ticket QR code ahead of time or face the unexpected Ryan-Air –ish fees. 

    We arrived late on Thursday at KIX, so we took the Airport Express train to Namba station. Between the airport and Namba, the Airport Express takes about 1 hour and costs 920 JPY (approx. 8 USD). We arrived too late to take the Limited Express Rapi:t train, which takes around 30 minutes and costs 1,430 JPY (approx. 13 USD). We arrived at Namba station and after stops at a couple of convenience stores, located our AirBnB nearby. (You can find timetables for both express trains here.)

    Osaka

    On Friday, we stopped by Nippombashi and Namba stations to try and find the tourist friendly Kansai One Cards, but they were sold out. Instead, we purchased ICOCA transit cards and made our way to Osaka Castle. 

    Osaka Castle

    We enjoyed exploring the castle and its grounds. Aside from the crowded inside and top of the central castle building, the grounds were quiet. 

    OsakaCastle1

    The top story of the central castle building had a great view of the city and surrounding mountains. The outside of the building is beautiful, accented by gold and surrounded by maple trees.

    OsakaCastleTop

    OsakaCastleMaple

    We took a couple of hours walking around the castle walls and giant moats. There’s an option to take one of these traditional looking boats through the moat, but we decided to take in the view from land. 

    OsakaCastleBoat

    Dotonbori

    Later on Friday, we headed towards the Dotonbori area. This part of Osaka is super crowded as it a hot spot for tourists, shopping, and food. There are several iconic and unique signs on the outside of stores and restaurants. 

    Glicoman

    One of the most recognizable signs is the Glico Running Man by the Ezaki Glico confectionary. According to Rough Guides, the sign is over 70 years old and the area around the sign is a popular gathering spot following sporting victories. 

    We slurped Ramen for dinner. Surprisingly, few places in Osaka take credit cards, so we exchanged cash so we could place our order in the vending machine outside the restaurant. 

    RamenOsaka

    I had Miso noodles with Pork. It was rather salty and so delicious!

    RamenInside

    RamenMachine

    Later that night, Leah and Emi were tired, so we went back to settle them in for the night. After bedtime routines, I went on the hunt for a good sushi restaurant. I have seen several pictures and videos of conveyor belt sushi restaurants and wanted to give one a try. I headed back towards the Dotonbori area and came across Dotonbori Akaoni, a Michelin endorsed Takoyaki (たこ焼き) street food booth.

    Akaonistorefront

    Takoyaki is basically a fried dough ball with a small octopus inside. I stumbled upon this literal hole in the wall. I ordered the basic takoyaki with spicy sauce for 500 JPY (about 4.5 USD). It was slightly chewy and had a spicy burn that didn’t quite settle in until a few minutes after.

    Akaonichopstick

    AkaoniKitchen

    My hunt for sushi continued by walking through Dotonbori, which proved to be more challenging than during the day. The evening crowds were thick and lively during the dinner rush. 

    DotonboriNight

    I found Genrokuzushi (Dotonbori), a touristy, but cheap sushi joint. However, the line went about 15 meters beyond the restaurant’s doors, and after not moving in line for 20 minutes, I moved on.

    I eventually came to Chojiro in one of the side alleys. 

    ChojiroSign

    It was fairly affordable and the best quality sushi I’ve had so far. I enjoyed sitting at the conveyor belt and seeing the sushi being made right on the other side of the counter. 

    SushiBelt

    My favorite was the avocado tuna. It was so fresh! Another favorite was the Wasabi Tuna. The wasabi was so spicy, it felt like my nostrils were turning inside out!

    Wasabi Tuna

    Wasabi Tuna

    SushiAvocado

    I loved it so much I brought Leah and Emine back the next night. They gave us our own private room with a sliding door! Either we looked fancy, or it was because of our lively 9-month-old baby (likely the latter). All three of us were exhausted, but enjoyed the fresh sushi (just rice for Emi) followed by matcha ice cream. We ordered with the restaurant’s automated ordering system on an iPad.

    LeahSushi SalmonSushi

    Although we only got a small glimpse, we loved the time we spent in Osaka on Friday. We spent most of the day Saturday in Kyoto before our meal at Chojiro. More on our time in Kyoto soon!

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    Can’t Stop the Reading

    Read-A-Thon is back at YISS! Our elementary students celebrate reading during February and March. The theme this year is Camp Out with a Good Book.

     

    readathon17-1

     

    David helped with the music video again this year. He rewrote the words to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and changed it to “Can’t Stop the Reading.” We work with so many talented people! From singing to sound mixing, video editing, and dancing… I love how the final product showcases the creativity and joy of our school!

    Watch it on Facebook, Vimeo, or below:

     

     

    readathon17-2

     

    This year, each grade level team was featured reading together. (The third grade teachers at the pool were my favorite!) This is David with his fifth grade team (and yes, he’s surfing on his friend Ross in the river):

     

    readathon17-4

     

    Here are the lyrics:

    I got this feeling inside my bones
    What adventures will this new book take me on?
    All through Seoul city, all through my home
    I can’t put down this book, I’m in the reading zone

    Cuz I got that new book in my pocket
    It’s got stories, oh so sweet
    When I read it, it’s exciting, I can’t stop, ooh
    I can’t take my eyes up off it, reading so phenomenally
    I’ve got more books on the docket, so I don’t stop

    We’re reading tonight and everyone knows
    Whether it’s fiction, drama, or prose
    When you read, well, you already know
    We just imagine, just imagine, just imagine

    Camp out with a new book, this is your chance, chance, chance, feel
    This one’s a good book for you, so just glance, glance, glance, come on
    Reading’s so exciting, so let’s just dance, dance, dance
    Everybody’s reading, so keep dancing

    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance, come on

    Ooh, there’s something wonderful
    I read the Good Book (Scripture) and it helps me carry on
    In every season, it leads my soul
    It shows me Jesus Christ, who came to make me whole

    Cause I got that Good Book in my pocket
    Gotta get up off of my feet
    I’ll tell everyone about it and I won’t stop, ooh
    I can’t take my eyes up off it, living so phenomenally
    It’s His guidebook, He designed it, so don’t stop

    We’ll shine our light, so everyone knows
    He came and died and in three days he rose
    He’ll come again and will call up his own
    So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine

    His good plan offers you a second chance, chance, chance
    The Good book explains it all to you
    So you glance, glance, glance, come on
    Everything He gives will make you
    dance, dance, dance
    Jesus will be coming soon, so keep dancing

    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So keep dancing, come on

    I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the
    I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the
    I can’t stop the reading

    Camp out with a new book, this is your chance, chance, chance, feel
    This one’s a good book for you, so just glance, glance, glance, come on
    Reading’s so exciting, so let’s just dance, dance, dance
    Everybody’s reading, so keep dancing

    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So just dance, dance, dance
    I can’t stop the reading
    So keep dancing, come on

    Everybody sing
    (I can’t stop the reading)
    Gotta share it with somebody
    (I can’t stop the reading)
    Gotta share it with somebody
    (I can’t stop the feeling)
    I think reading’s my new hobby
    (I can’t stop the feeling)
    Gotta share it with somebody
    Break it down
    Gotta share it with somebody
    Can’t stop the feeling
    Gotta share it with somebody, come on

     

    readathon17-3

     

    » Watch last year’s Read-A-Thon video “Good Book Life” here!

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    Having Surgery In Korea

    Having a surgery is a scary thing. Having one abroad as an expat can be even more intimidating. If you’re considering a procedure in Korea, I hope my experience can help ease some fears. Some of the protocol felt overkill (extended stay in the hospital) and a bit backwards (no physical therapy after the procedure). But despite the differences, everything went smoothly and I was glad I had it done.

    I broke my first bone in January 2015 in Turkey and had a metal plate put in my arm. Due to some discomfort, I decided to have the hardware removed last month in Korea. I went to Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital at the recommendation of some friends.

     

    Having surgery as an expat in Korea

     

    Consultation and Pre-Op

    I called the international clinic to schedule an appointment. I was overwhelmed my first time at the hospital. St. Mary’s is large, one of the top hospitals in Seoul, and is consequently booked and busy.

    The ladies in the office spoke English and were so helpful. There were a slew of forms, but St. Mary’s accepted my insurance and filed all of my paperwork. After I checked in, they sent me off with a map to get x-rays and meet with the surgeon. My meeting lasted just a few minutes, and by the end, I had booked the surgery. I was at the hospital for two hours.

    A month before the surgery, I took a series of tests: chest x-ray, breathing, blood (vein and artery), urine, and EKG.

    I met with the anesthesiologist two weeks before the surgery. A translator sat in and this meeting took only a few minutes. For some reason, I was never asked about allergies before that point, so I was sure they added that information to my file.

     

    Surgery Stay

    I went into the hospital the day before (about 24 hours before) the procedure. They said they’d take me back between 12–2 the next day, but they couldn’t fit me in until 4:30.

    The Room: My insurance covered a double room, but they were all occupied. Instead, I got a private room. We felt so spoiled. It was on the twelfth floor and had an great view of Gangnam. The room included a desk with computer (which we didn’t use), a TV, a storage closet with a keypad locking system, a small fridge, a private bathroom with shower, and a small couch.

     

    Gangnam hospital room view

     

    David sleeping

     

    The Food: I received an evening meal. I chose the Western menu over the Korean (just in case to avoid anything upsetting my stomach). The food was good, but a little bland. They served a cream soup, spaghetti, salad, bread, drink, and a pastry dessert. I was given a form to select my future meals.

    They started fluids that night. I heard somewhere that Koreans have small veins, so they typically put IVs in your hand. It felt kind of offensive. It pinched and hurt so I couldn’t really use my right hand. And I was about to have surgery on my left hand. (After surgery, there was a problem with the IV and I had them move it to my arm, which felt much better.)

     

    IV in hand

     

    We met with a doctor (not the surgeon but someone in their residency) later in the evening. He spoke English and was very kind. He answered our questions and kept asking until we had exhausted everything we hadn’t covered in the initial consultation.

    Nurses came to take my vitals throughout the night and next day. The waiting was the hardest part. By the time they wheeled me back, some of the nerves had worn off and I was ready for it to happen. David walked with me up to the operating room doors.

    My previous scar had keloiding:

     

    Keloid scarring

     

    Post Surgery

    I was glad the surgery was in the evening. After I woke up from the anesthesia, they wheeled me to an x-ray room on the second floor. This area is usually packed, but because it was around 7:00pm, there weren’t people staring at me on my bed.

    Back in the room, I had to stay awake until 11:00pm. I was able to drink water around 2:00am. They had no food for me, and I didn’t eat until the next morning. They brought a full breakfast (eggs, fruit, cereal, pastry, juice), though the nurse told me to only have soup until lunch. They didn’t provide soup and I didn’t think convenience store ramen would be good for my stomach. Instead, I had some crackers and yogurt David had bought. That sat fine, so I ate the breakfast a little later.

    Another thing we felt spoiled by: they let me go home early. I was supposed to stay another night (for a total of 3 nights), but they let me go home around 4:00pm the day after surgery.

     

    Standing in Seoul St. Mary's hospital room

     

    They also let me keep the hardware! The bracket is about 4″ long. After I saw the metal, I felt good about having it removed. It had done its job and there was no need to keep the foreign material in my body.

     

    Hardware from radius bone surgery

     

    Now I have holes where the screws were:

     

    X-ray of radius bone showing holes

     

    I was amazed at my recovery time. I gained strength and mobility much faster than I had anticipated. The surgeon did a fantastic job. He cut out some of the scar tissue and the keloid. They didn’t use stitches, but glued me together. Someone told me if you’re going to have surgery and are concerned about scarring, Korea is the place to get it done. They are very conscious about how they look. I have a silicone scar reduction gel and cream, and I hope to avoid keloiding this time.

    I returned to the hospital every three days to have the bandaging replaced. Here is my scar two weeks after surgery:

     

    Arm scar two weeks post surgery

     

    Suggestions of Things to Bring:

    • Refillable water bottle (there are refilling stations for hot and cold water)
    • Snacks (because I got back from the surgery past dinner time, there was no food service)
    • Towels
    • Toiletries (body soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
    • Shower shoes (open shower room) and/or slippers
    • Electronic chargers

    Other Notes:

    • Upon arrival, a translator took me to the room and explained the basics of what to expect.
    • Shave the area where you’re going to have surgery or bring a razor to do it there. David had to buy some from a convenience store. The nurse offered a hair removing cream, but I have sensitive skin and didn’t know if I’d react to it or not.
    • Take off all nail polish if you’ll be under anesthesia.
    • Physical therapy is not emphasized in Korea. My doctor said they didn’t have hand specialists at St. Mary’s, but I got him to write a referral letter. There is a physical therapist at my chiropractic clinic in Itaewon.
    • Visiting hours were from 2:00pm – 8:00pm.
    • The international clinic closes at 5:00pm on weekdays and noon on Saturdays. The nurses I interacted with knew enough English to help. Google Translate is always helpful, too.

    I am thankful for a successful surgery and for the friends that came around us!

     

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    Lunar New Year in Gyeongju

    Working at an international school is fun for many reasons, one of them including regional holidays off of work. Lunar New Year was the second week in February, and we traveled southeast with some friends to Gyeongju (경주). Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. Often, people travel from Seoul to their hometowns to spend time with extended family. Thanks to a friend, we were able to get standing room tickets on the KTX speed train. We left Saturday morning and two hours later arrived in Gyeongju!

    Gyeongju is an important historical city. It was the capital of the Silla kingdom which ruled about two-thirds of the peninsula between the 7th and 9th centuries. Today, it’s no longer the capital, but a smaller city. There are many historical sites, which is a draw for tourists.

    Where We Stayed
    We rented an AirBnB cabin with two other couples. The owner, Minmook, was a wonderful host. He went above and beyond! He made multiple trips to pick us up and drop us off at the house, take us to a grocery store, and get us to the bus stop. He brought by fresh fruit on multiple nights. The guys got to chat with him and hear his interesting story. Minmook lived all over Korea, built the three houses on his property, and recently started a blueberry crop. Though the house is a little out of the way, we highly recommend it! (It’s an easy ₩5,000 taxi ride to the main bus stop and attractions.)

     

    Gyeongju sunset

     

    Gyeongju sunset with hanok roofs

     

    Boys grilling meat

     

    We tried Hwangnam bread, which is original to the region. The pastry is filled with a dense, sweet red-bean paste. It was first baked in 1939 and is now sold throughout Korea.

     

    Traditional Gyeongju bread - Hwangnam bread

     

    Korean fish and bowls

     

    This was the commons area where we cooked, ate, hung out, and enjoyed the firewood stove:

     

    Cabin stove and room

     

    The house had two bedrooms. One had a Western style bed, and the other room used the traditional Korean mattress pads called a yo. David and I stayed in the mini-living room and also used a yo. The bedroom areas had ondol heated floors, which made for some cozy sleeping:

     

    Sleeping floor mats

     

    One day, we visited Bulguksa Temple (불국사), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission cost ₩5,000 for adults.

     

    Travel friends

     

    Bulguksa walkway

     

    Iron dragon door knockers

     

    Bulguksa Hanok roof

     

    Bulguksa Seokgatap tower

     

    Prayer rocks:

     

    Balanced prayer rock stacks

     

    I found a cross!

     

    Bulguksa cross detail

     

    Bulguksa architecture and roofs

     

    Bulguksa Hanok roof

     

    Child with a bird water pipe

     

    The next day, we decided to hike to the Seokguram Bell Pavilion, which we could see in the distance from our house. We went way off the beaten path and walked up and down some major hills. My phone said we climbed 155 flights! We also took a wrong turn so our hike ended up being over five miles. But we enjoyed the company, sunshine, and fresh air. When we got to the bell, we only stayed five minutes because we saw the bus and didn’t want to wait another hour to get back into town.

     

    Hiking buddies - selfie in mirror

     

    Seongdeok stucture

     

    Ringing the Seongdeok bell

     

    Though there was a lot more we could have seen in and around town, our weekend was perfect. It was a relaxing retreat to be outside the city.
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    First Taste of Beondegi

    So… I ate a bug in Korea. Beondegi to be specific.

    We’ve been in Korea for about six months and we’ve really enjoyed the local food. Eating is one of our favorite pastimes, and we like trying new things. Even when we’re a little skeptical.

    We traveled southeast to Gyeongju the first weekend of February with some friends for Lunar New Year. (More on that soon!) While we were out one day, we walked by street food vendors. One lady was selling beondegi (번데기). I had no intentions of ever eating this food, but… when everyone was trying it, might as well?

     

    Boiled silkworm larvae

     

    What is beondegi?
    Beondegi is boiled and seasoned silkworm pupae. (Pupae is the stage between the larva and adult form when the bug is in the chrysalis stage.) Korean people eat beondegi as a snack, though I wouldn’t call it the most loved or popular food of choice. We often see food vendors with a long line of customers, but I never see a line at beondegi pots. According to earthexcursion.com: “Beondegi came to rise as a much needed source of protein during the Korean War because protein was scare, as well as many other macro nutrients.” I think we paid ₩2000 for a small paper cup (about $1.65 USD). It was MORE than enough.

    How did it taste?
    …Not as bad as I thought it would. It was a little bit fishy and nutty to me. Some of our friends thought they tasted similar to boiled peanuts. It was a little crunchy and a little chewy. Thinking about what I was chewing was the worst part.

     

    Beondegi seller

     

    Cup of beondegi

     

    Here’s a video of our first beondegi experience:

     

     

    And if I’m ever hankering for more (yeah right), I can always find a can of it at the grocery store:

     

    Beondegi can

     

     

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    Birthday In My Birth City

    I turned 28 on the last day of January. This was the first year I celebrated my birthday in my birth city. I now live just seven miles from the place I was born.

    A couple of weeks ago David and I tried to find it. The address I had from my adoption paperwork didn’t quite work with today’s streets (in 봉천동 관악구). We thought we may have found it but couldn’t be sure. We didn’t know enough Korean to find out how long the hospital had been in business.

    I was born at 33 weeks and weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces. My 20-year-old unwed birth mother could not pay the incubator fees, hadn’t heard from the father in a while, and chose to put me up for adoption. As we were walking around the neighborhood, I thought how scared she must have been to be alone and in labor so early. I’m thankful for her bravery to choose life.

     

    Leah holding baby photo in front of hospital

     

    Even more, I’m thankful for my family who chose me, love me, and call me theirs… And for a Heavenly Father who orchestrated it all.

    I never intended for Korea to be a place of pilgrimage. And I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me I’d be living here one day. Finding more information about my roots is not a void I am trying to fill. However, while I’m here – why not? I filled out some inquiry paperwork for the Korean side of the adoption, and we’ll see what (if anything) comes back.

    I’m still figuring out my place and purpose here, but I am grateful for the adventure!

     

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