Book signing Event – by Anders Grenstad

 

I, as the publisher of: The flying “Dutchess” – around the world and into the unknown, wanted to have an event to celebrate the fact that that Anja’s book actually was printed.

A book signing it was going to be!

With the help of many wonderful people Anja and I have a relationship here in Korea I even had a table filled with fabulous finger foods! Thank you all!

The weather was favorable and my outlining of the event worked wonderfully. After some mingling, I held a speech to the author and I requested she’d read a few lines from her biographical book! Then it was time for her to get to work and write dedications in the copies the families picked up.

I know she had a great time with the many people she loves around her, and being in the center of attention is something she appreciates…….

For me it was wonderful too for I’m very proud of her accomplishment and didn’t want to let it pass by without making it to a special occasion for my “Dutchess”.   

Copies, ready to be signed by the author!

Welcome speech and some reading from her book!


 

Our happy friend and printer Charles Chong from Oriental Press.










But before the reading and book signing we started up with mingling...

 

 

 

 

 

Everybody helped me to fill the table with wonderful foods!

 

Queuing for the book signing,

 

 

 

 

Hail and Farewell in Panmunjom

Decorated and appriciated outgoing delegates.

Sometimes it’s hard to grasp how fast time passes by. This past week we had two new families coming in for the rotation of the Secretary to the NNSC Swedish delegation, Major Alan Blücher and the Operation officer Lieutenant Colonel Per Sandgren. Both men have been caring out their tasks for the past 24 months and are the coming week returning back to Sweden.

The rotation went as I understand very well. I myself had the pleasure of welcoming the new families who’ll be taking over.  Major Per Ljungnér and his wife Christina and Lieutenant Colonel Jan Eldeblad with his wife Gunilla and their daughters Linnea, Louisa and Wilma. We had the chance to have an evening together and of cause I already showed them Namdaemun, THE PLACE, in Seoul J

At Namdaemun, literally the "Great South Gate" with wonderful newly arrived women!

 

A joint typical Korean luncheon in
"food street" and of cause.....

 

I couldn't deprive them of my favorite building, the flowers and decorations floor in “the green house”!

Last Friday the Hail & Farewell was celebrated in Panmunjom, with appreciation of the delegates leaving and welcoming the new staff. We had laughter, a mutual lunch and the ringing in and ringing out at “Bell Hill” in the Swedish Camp.

 

Ready for the changing of commands, outgoing.............24 bell rings!

Incoming, 1 bell ring for first month has just started!

 

 

 

Jejo-do for our third and last Spring Tour

On our way to Jeju-Island

 

The Spring Tour is since the 60’s a yearly returning teambuilding event, hosted by the Korean General holding the position as the Senior Member in UNMAC (United Nations Armistice Command). Every other year the destination is Jeju-do, which is the biggest island of South Korea and located in the south-west of the Korean Peninsula. More than 90% of this volcanic island is covered with basalt rocks.

With a group of 38 people we travelled by military plane to the island and had a well organised program filled with office calls, learning more about Korean history and culture. The weather was fabulous and the sites spectacular. The team building in my opinion was not the best I’ve experienced but not every leader is gifted with social competence and a sincere interest in other people. However, I hope it gave the participants an insight of what can and should be done differently.

After visiting Jeju Defense Command and Jeju Provincial Government we went for lunch. Anders here with Millan and Douglas McDonald from Canada.

 

 

 

Visiting Samsunghyeol, were we as the legend tells could see the trace of Jeju's birth. Three gods soared from the earth and three holes were shown as proof.

 

Greeting the national symbol of Jeju-do

 

 

A strole on 1100 meters Altitude Wetland, which is a typical mountainous wetland.

 

On our way to the first evening’s joint dinner consisting of Black Pork Korean style barbeque which was followed by Karaoke.

 

Day two we went:
Tracking at Oedolgae Rock

 

 

 

 

and took the ferrie to the Island of Mara which is the most southern btip of South Korea.

 

 

Here we met a Buddist Monk and his assistant who both spoke great english and we learned that you can stay over here: call (+82) 010-7488-5321 and talk to Miss Ahn.



 

 

Many visitors write their message on a roof tile and have it exhibit for a long time donating a small sum for support, so did we :)

 

Final Day, climbing Seongsan Sun Rise Peak so we could enjoy the breathtaking scenic views of this 99 rocky peaks surrounding the crater like a fortress! For us not possible due to the fog but we did climb with many other visitors!

 

Final lunch and a walk in a Folk Village that has preserved and recreated a traditional Jeju town as it used to be before returning to Seoul.

My first visit in a Korean family home, thank you Nam Hwa!

A gloomy, raining, humid and hot day during this last week in May, I was invited and picked up by my friends Nam Hwa Kim and Sangeun Seonwoo.  I had teased Nam Hwa for over a year, telling her that I enjoy her friendship and like having her coming over to me on base. However, I would definitely appreciate if I also could see her home. Finally, D-Day had come!

I surely felt welcome when I entered her nice apartment and saw the welcome letters pinned up on the wall. Nam Hwa’s daughter had made it and I hope her mother told her how much I liked it.

I believe the family had a large apartment for living in central Seoul. And the rooms I saw were nicely decorated and for the world I couldn’t understand why she didn’t want me to see it.

 

A small part of Nam Hwas' husband's coin collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We chatted a lot while drinking champagne and eating fresh fruits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later than planned we went out for lunch at a wonderful restaurant where we had the Korean dish, with lots of fresh vegetables’ and very thin sliced beef which we broiled in bouillon. Delicious!

 

 

 

It's a serious matter to pick the ingrediences you want to cook! But the result was fabulous..................

 

 

We ate and ate and enjoyed our time together until the restaurant closed in order to prepare for the evening guests!

 

 

Than after a miraculous maneuvering of Nam Hwa to get the car from the parking spot, we went to e:Mart for some shopping.

 

All together a great day with my wonderful friends Nam Hwa and Sangeun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friends trying out samples, which is always a part of shopping in Seoul!