Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Garden Expos Deserve Their Very Own Posts...

Just last weekend, we took the bus (all by our lonesomes!!!) to Suncheon where we had a fantastic time with James, Mandy, Emily, and Tim who are vegan, vegetarian, Canadian, and Tim, respectfully. It was lovely to hang with peeps and spend some quality time walking around the town of Suncheon (about an hour-and-a-half bus ride to the northeast of Jangheung).





We found a local "Hof" on our first night, after booking into a local hotel, and the hospitality was just what we needed after a full week! Traveling on the weekends to meet up with peeps=happy Ed and Kristen. :)

On our bus ride to and from Suncheon, we listened to Steve Martin’s autobiography, Born Standing Up. In it, he talks about how lucky he was that anyone gave him a chance, considering that he had no idea what he was doing and, in his own estimation, he spent most of his early twenties just being awful at comedy. He felt just as grateful for every gig on stage or writing for a show, even when he had to borrow a joke or two just to get by.

This is exactly how we feel at various moments while teaching and living in SK. A few recent experiences in Suncheon made us feel very thankful as Steve did many, many years ago. And honestly, this past weekend, most of them involved flowers and gorgeous scenery.

* * *

Suncheon Garden Expo

During the weekend with James, Mandy, Tim and Emily, we got to enjoy one of our most memorable times in this country yet!








We walked through a French-inspired garden (above) and it was GORGEOUS! It definitely had a Pride and Prejudice feel to it and even had a coffee shop nearby! [Heaven, I think?]

Next we toured a maze of rose bushes, literally smelled the roses, passed a lot of other tourists taking in the scenery and then wandered up a little mountain to get some sights from the top! Breathtaking!


They even had themed gardens!



We don't quite know why this one was called the German Garden, but in any case, it was very pretty and symmetrical!

American Garden, though very concrete at the entrance, had a grass area as well, which was nice!



Other gardens included the England, Japanese, Spanish, traditional Korean, Dutch...


...and Thai!


Overall, it was a glorious sightseeing day and we very much enjoyed all the sights. Go, garden expos!




Here's to many more weekends filled with good times, good people, and good ol' Korea! 'Til next time...


2 comments:

  1. I'm so glad y'all are getting to relax and enjoy yourselves! Happy faces, I just love them :)

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  2. So glad to read all about your adventures. I feel as if I've been there myself at times. I could read your blogs daily, I really enjoy reading everything you write. Oh, in case you wondered your Grandma shared your URL with me so I could share in the fun. She really misses you Ed. Take care and keep those writings coming. I love them! Shirley

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