Homeward Bound

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Today is the day. We are leaving Seoul and headed home to Colorado! YAY!!! Called the airline last night to confirm our flight and found out it is delayed 4 hours. Instead of leaving at 4:30 p.m. we are scheduled to leave at 8:oo p.m. the flight already sounds like bunches of fun...??? We get Ava at noon today...guess we will get to know the Incheon airport well.

Yesterday we visited with Ava again. There were some tears shed...poor girl. We decided to try her in our Becco baby carrier. Her foster mom has been using a Baby Bjorn. After a bit of a struggle and definite confirmation she has a great set of lungs we dashed off to the nearest department store for a Baby Bjorn! Fact: Big city Seoul Koreans like to shop. There are shops, stores, kiosks everywhere. You can't go one block without someone trying to sell something. Whether it be food, clothes or SHOES! High-heel shoes at that! So this department store was 10 floors high...we got the new carrier and are confident it will be a seamless transition...(crossing fingers and praying lots!!!)

Our time in Korea has been awesome. We have learned so much about the people, traditions, our child's birth and life so far. It is hard to put into words all the thoughts and feelings we have had this past week. It is one experience we would not trade for the world. We urge all adoptive families, if possible, to travel. It is one experience that you will never forget; and the sights we have seen and things learned are so valuable and precious for all of us.

But granted, we are ready to come home and start our forever family!

Little tidbits about Korea....
They are a very proud people
The city is relatively clean
Everyone is very nice and helpful
They stare at 'white' Americans :-) say a few Korean words then giggle...
Their toilets have a bunch of buttons on them...thinking enema??
Women walk all over in high-heels
No one wears shorts or flip flops (except Adam and I)
Adam was the tallest man in Korea for 1 week
You can buy anything on the street..octopus, garlic, lettuce, cell phones, chicken on a stick, SHOES, SHOES and more SHOES!
Koreans are naturally very sustainable. They don't use plastic; everything is made out of ceramics.
You get charged for take-out (to go) containers. A paper coffee cup costs and extra .20 cents
Everyone is one their cell phone 24-7
They sure make cute kids!

Anyong-hi kyeseyo (final farewell said by person leaving; means to stay in peace)

Adam, Leslie and Baby Ava