Memorial Day Honor Guard Ceremony 2011

Memorial Day was first proclaimed 5^th of May 1868 by General John Logan and first observed on 30st of May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. But Memorial Day honors more than the fallen of the War Between the States. It recognizes the dead of every war in which the United States has been involved: the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, the Koran War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and all other combat and peace keeping actions for which Americans have been called to serve.

The Memorial Day Honor Guard was held on Knight Field at Yongsan Main Post and the dead from past battles were honored and a prayer was made for an end to all war.

Many soldiers, officials and veterans attended the ceremony and paid their respect during remembrance sequence.

Program for the Ceremony

Before the official party marched in we discussed the importance of Memorial Day.

The military band played the American and Korean National Anthems and Taps.

All services were represented,

and so was the media.

Laundry in ”little America”

For some weeks ago a good friend of me made a statement on Facebook about doing laundry in his apartment buildings launderette. He got massive reactions on that, which gives me a huge expectation on reactions on this insert on my blog.

The house we live in has apart from basic furniture also all the American appliances’ supplied. And I do love the big refrigerator, freezer and drycleaner but the washing machine is in my (and all other Swedish woman’s living here), opinion a disaster. My hart really goes out to all US woman that have to work with this always for besides that the machine “eats” your clothes, so you have to put many things in washing bags, your laundry doesn’t get clean!

Now I understand why there are so very many bleaching products available, the machine even has a special dosage for admitting the bleach.

I presume that the laundry is mainly a woman’s job in the States for if man would have this task I’m sure a better machine, needing no bleaching (which still doesn’t get the stains out or collars neat and clean) and doing its job properly would be available.

Today’s solution?  Sending the shirts to the launderette in Seoul.

                                  On the right my "not too good" friend

"Eaten" trausers

The quilty one that distroyed my shorts!

                     Special bleach dosage opening, proof for my statement?

Spring Tour to Jeju Island

UNCMAC (United Nations Command Armistice Agreement) and NNSC (Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee) were invited by the Republic of Korea for a three days Spring Tour which went to Jeju Island.

The goal was to deepen the understanding of the ROK military, the Korean culture and get to know each other better.

The Hercules C130, landed with the 35 attendees at 11:00 in Jeju Island, where an intensive program started.

From visiting the Jeju Defense Command to Hanrim Park, War History Museum, Provincial Government Office, Mt. Songak, Hicking at Olle Road, glass Castle or fishing tour and more. I think it’s too much to write about everything and keeping you interested.

Jeju’s origin goes back to the Stone Age and has today approximately 570,000 inhabitants. It is a volcanic island, situated in the South of the Peninsula between Korea and Japan. The major economic drive is tourism and exports of mandarins. In modern times Jeju has been ruled by Japan for thirty-five years and had for the ruler a very important and strategic meaning. Their base on the Westside gave clear, unobstructed views of the coastline and the possibility to direct any defense against a foreign armada (but an invasion never came). Built into its base are darkened, claustrophobic kilometers long underground tunnels build by Korean men, who were underground for years without seeing daylight and suffered immensely of hunger.

The views around the island, the mountains fabulous colors of the sea are breathtaking. Last year over three million tourist visited Jeju and the Island has entered its application in order to become one of the top seven beautiful destinations in the world. www.N7W.com

However, there’s one more thing I would like to share with you; the Haenyeo (female Divers). These strong and independent women (they still are active divers) played an indispensible role in their home economies. They also organized the biggest anti-Japanese protest in 1932. It was a happy family, who got baby girls, when a boy was born he would get a dash on his butt. Until today the strong female society has had an impact for there’s a large majority of woman living on the island. (Maybe a tip for single men who aren’t intimidated by strong woman?)

While learning a lot about this part of Korea, enjoying tasty good Korean food we had a wonderful time and a lot of fun interacting with each other. After the dinner the last evening we ended with two hours of Karaoke, but I don’t think the world missed out on a great artist.

The Swedish Delegates

The Korean Marines, who had brieved us and given several demonstrations.

Olle route sceneries

Black, lava sand while walking to the caves.

Breathtaking or???

My Birthday!

And so after 52 birthdays, I decided to be mature and not tell everybody here it was my birthday. For me this is truly a sacrifice, for I love jumping around and saying loudly “it’s my birthday”. However, I was good! Not even during my Zumba & Pilates class, which I attendet in the morning, I mentioned it.
To celebrate myself, I had invited some really nice woman I’ve met during the past weeks to come over for coffee/tea in the afternoon. Made too much sandwiches (actually very good ones :=)) picked up a friend at the wrong gate (other story) and to my surprise did the Swedish ladies and my friend Theda (born and raised in Panama, married to a JAG-officer and living next doors) congratulate me with my birthday! I got flowers, Godivi chocolate, champagne and presents. I believe we had a good time for all the ladies chatted away. Time passed quickly and just two woman stayed after Anders came home to join us for a glass of wine.
Suddenly the doorbell rang and one of the Swiss officers is standing there with flowers and a card from their delegation. So much for secrecy!

Later in the evening it was dinner for two :=) and yes I was spoiled by Anders.
During yesterday and today I received many congratulations both on mail and Facebook and I thank you all for those. It’s nice to get word from many friends from across the globe and it made me realize that I have an area of improvement here.

Two Swedish Ladies sitting besides me, Monica from the Swedish delegation and Hedvig, chaimen of SWEA in Korea

Becky, who lives in the neighboorhood and is in my Pilates class, and Ann a retired BG from the US Airforce, who is also attending both Zumba and Pilates.

Yvonne, Swedish delegates wife with the youngest attendent Edwin, Lindsay the British attaché's wife and Ellen our young delegate wife, a Navy recerve officer, who putted a hold on her studies to follow with her husband Martin.

...........and so my first birthday here in Korea is in it's final stage.

A "strole" to the Hanriver

Last weekend was dedicated to continue discovering the ”neighborhood" of the Youngsan base.

On Sunday our goal was the Han River, the major river in South Korea and the fourth longest (approximately. 514 km) on the Korean peninsula (after the Amnok, Duman and Nakdong rivers). From Seoul the river continues to the Yellow Sea (or West Sea to Koreans).
This input is especially for my father who, when he was young, has been working worldwide for the commercial Navy for ten years. Hearing his stories about The Yellow Sea and his working with Asian people, mainly Chinese, has been of major influence for me absorbing foreign cultures and working internationally. I promised him some pictures of the area and what is easier then to put it on the net?
At the mouth of the Han River, where it meets the sea along the DMZ (demilitarized zone) that divides South and North Korea, broad tidal flats can be found .

As many waterways the Han River played an important role in Korean history, the Three Kingdoms of Korea strove to take control of this land, where the river was used as a trade route to China via the Yellow Sea.

Today the banks of the river, especially here in Seoul are a place of recreation for many inhabitants of this large city.

One of the many bridges crossing the Han River, which can be 1 km wide in Seoul area.

Doesn't feel here that we're in the middle of the capital.

However, here you might get that feeling. I do wonder what my Urban Planner daughter feels about the architecture here.

Getting to the "right" side of the rivers bank, for according to Koreans the best side is at the North (why? it just is! An often heard answer.)