Seolleong Tombs and Kimchi Museum

Yesterday we went for an outing. First we went to Royal Tombs right in the heart of Seoul.

Since Judah is a little bigger now, we can use the Baby Bjorn carrier

The tombs are called the Seolleong Tombs. King Seongjong and his wife Queen Jeonghyeon are buried there as well as their son.

You can walk on the King's path on the right but you can't walk on the Spirit road on the left.

King Seongjong's tomb

 There's a reason why Koreans bury their dead in a mound on a hill but I can't remember why. Good thing Korea is 80% mountains because they have a lot of people to bury here!

Queen Jeonghyeon's tomb

After we got nice and hot outside, we headed to the air conditioned COEX Mall, which is apparently Asia's largest underground shopping mall with an area of about 85,000 square meters.COEX Mall holds the Kimchi museum. We knew we had to visit it!

This is what we think of Kimchi. Actually it's reversed...I'm ok with Kimchi...Taylor hates it.

Cabbage Kimchi is not the only kind. There are dozens of varieties of Kimchi.

My favorite is the white cabbage kimchi because it's not spicy and not fishy tasting.

Taylor's favorite is cucumber kimchi

 

Most Koreans have a Kimchi fridge. It is very necessary to separate kimchi from everything else
in your refrigerator. If you don't, it will flavor everything in the fridge with its nasty kimchi taste.

COEX Mall has an awesome nursing moms room

Lastly, we went to TGI Fridays for dinner. Judah didn't really care about it too much.

The War Memorial of Korea

We've been busy! Now that I am feeling better and Judah is older, we have been going out more. On Sunday, July 15, Judah, my mom, and I went to the War Memorial Museum of Korea. There are a lot of cool statues and things to see on the grounds of the museum but it was raining so we really didn't get to check them out.

going out for the day

When in Korea...do as the Koreans do! Normally we wouldn't touch museum artifacts but everyone else was sitting on it and
taking their picture so we did too.

these are all artifacts from the Korean War

Judah liked the Korean flag on the ceiling.

Mom's Birthday

Yesterday (July 2) was my mom's birthday. She got a nice gift:

 I somehow managed to have enough time and energy to make dinner, do dishes, and make a blueberry pie for my mom. Don't ask me how.

we woke him up to take pictures and he wasn't very happy about it

Happy Birthday, Mom/Grandma.

Busy(er) day

Yesterday was quite a busy day compared to the beginning of the week. I was really tired and lethargic on Monday and Tuesday. I think my iron levels were low. After replenishing with iron-rich foods, I felt better on Wednesday so we went out for some activity. In the morning we went to check out a yoga class at a gym. My mom was considering taking the class so she wanted to check it out. After yoga we ate a Korean restaurant in the basement of the gym. We came back home to check movie times and were planning on going to the mall to see a movie. We ended up deciding to go in the evening with Taylor instead but still wanted to go pre-buy the tickets. In Korea, you buy your actual seat, not just a ticket. So if you wait until right before the show starts, you're gonna get really bad seats. We went outside and tried to get a taxi and after standing there for about 5-8 minutes, a nice police officer stopped and said "No taxis. On strike." WHAT???? "What if I go into labor today?" That was my first thought! Of all the times for taxis to go on strike....

So we made our way to the mall to buy tickets by bus. Later that night the 3 of us went to see Men in Black. The baby moved a lot during the movie...it was probably too loud for him. Not loud enough to make him want to come out apparently!

Still uncomfortable and not wanting to smile for pictures.

I got Bibimbap- one of my favorite Korean dishes. Mom
got the Korean Curry- one of my least favorite dishes.

waiting for the bus

inside of the TimeSquare Mall

She tried this drink made from boiled rice. Rice tea, I guess. It's really gross
but she said it wasn't too bad. My mom is really flexible and easygoing!

Look at that huge belly! This is where my day started to get really good.

Coldstone makes everyone happy!

Waiting for the bus to go to the movies.

Same face haha. They didn't plan that.