Much ado about Josh, Ken and Alapa’i – part 1

Micah’s friends from Hawaii were in Korea visiting us for about a week.  It was SO MUCH fun to see them.  There were plenty of good eats, good drinks, and poking fun at Ken.  We had a really great time and were sad to see them leave.   Here’s my attempt to condense 6 days of fun into a couple of long (but picture-filled) blog posts.

Night 1: The arrival

Took them to dinner (along with our other teacher friends’ Charissa and Gabe) to one of our favorite places.  The food was awesome and our Korean server was really nice and liked Alapai’s big arms.

After dinner, off to Hof Hama for mini-kegs and many drinking games.  Ken couldn’t last the night.  But neither could Josh (totally out of it on the taxi ride home).

A little DDC cuddle action at the end of the night. 

 

Day 2: To Busan we go!

Caught a train to Busan (Micah and I had already been there before, but this time we went to see different parts of the city).

• Stop #1: Jalgachi Fish Market

The mecca for FRESH seafood.  Creatures I’d never seen before…in varying stages of aliveness. 

After some browsing around the HUGE market, we ate an amazing seafood lunch.  Alapa’i was king. Instead of having to sit down and eat on the floor like the rest of us, the server arranged it so he could sit in a chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken did some shopping.  Although there was a nice selection of VHS “entertainment” available (see circled area), he opted for a fishing pole instead.

 

• Stop #2: Gwangalli Bridge

After exploring this area and the nearby international market, we headed over to Gwangalli Bridge.  At night time it’s all lit up and really peaceful and cool to look at. 

• Stop #3: Shinsagae

It was starting to get pretty cold, so we decided to make one last stop before catching the train home.  We headed to Shinsagae – the largest department store in the world (complete with its own ice rink).  We didn’t spend much time there, but it was pretty swanky.

• Heading home

Ah…the boys were pooped.  We caught the last train back to Daegu.  Once in Daegu, we had to run to catch the last subway back to our area of the city.  Ken, barely made it – blaming it on him still being half asleep.  Although, we are quite certain his cardio (or lack thereof) is more to blame.

 

Day 3: Fishy feeding frenzy

Met up with a few of our friends and headed to Dr. Fish in downtown Daegu.  It’s an interesting place.  It’s part cafe’ (with a complete menu of coffees and teas, as well as an all-you-can-eat “bread” bar), part studying lounge (with a mini-library of books and people studying all over), and part fish pedicure (where the little fishies eat the dead skin off your feet). 

 How to get a fish pedicure:

1. Rinse off your feet – fish don’t like dirty feet

2. Stick feet in tub full of water and a hundred or so tiny carp (I believe they come from China – where this is quite popular)

3. Let fish go to town!  It doesn’t hurt at all – actually, it’s a bit ticklish.  They just nibble away on the little bits of dry skin all over you feet, toes, and ankles.

4. Fifteen minutes later – you’re done.  Clean your feet again and enjoy your soft feet. (Some places might follow this up with an actual pedicure, but not this place. It was only $2 for the fish pedicure part and about $5 for the coffee and toast).