Peek-a boo
It’s been a quiet week here in Lake Wobegon. I keep thinking I’ll write more often from now on but, really, there’s not much going on. I could probably just copy and paste my March entry. Myung and I just hang out, go walking, shop the markets, cook, and sit with our computers. Myung sees friends from way back about once a week on average. Actually, this week, she saw friends twice and her sister and brother-in-law this week. We’re practically social butterflies!
Myung on the right, with old friends from middle school
After looking back at what I wrote in March, a brief update is in order. My prostate situation is in hand. I went to a urological oncologist at the university hospital here. He said for my type and stage of cancer, at my age (69), all they do is monitor my PSA, and if it goes over 20, start androgen deprivation medication again. My PSA was 2, and I am to get my PSA checked again in October. And a doc removed that toenail, something I couldn’t get anybody in Cuenca to do. That looks good. National health care here is great. It costs 45 US cents for a basic sit down with a rando doc-in-the-box at the clinic. Myung is fine.
Oh, we got our first COVID-19 vaccines, and get the second shot in August. Starting this month, people don’t have to wear masks outside. That’s a relief. They are uncomfortable on warm, humid days. Some Americans might wonder what “have to wear masks” means. Well, Koreans almost all take infection control seriously, and follow the strict rules laid out by the government. Only about 2 people per day die.
People here are into what happens during the seasons. (Seasons. What a concept after Cuenca!) One activity many people like is the presence of hoopoes, a bird that migrates here form Tasmania and East Africa in the spring to hatch their young. Photographers with their expensive camera equipment congregate in Hwangsoeng Park, down the street, to catch events like the first flight of the young birds.
We’re in on the fun, and have many hoopoe pics, though Myung took this one with her $90 cell phone. When we walk in the park, which is every day, we look for hoopoes. Ah, simple pleasures.
Hoopoe, feeding its chick
One of the simple pleasures we enjoy is how pretty Korea is. As I’ve said before, you are never far from a nice walk.
Back in April
Near Busan
9th century stone carving of the Buddha
A couple of weeks ago we took a 40-minute train ride to Yeongju. It’s an ancient historical site, with structures dating back to the 7th century, though most of the preserved and/or restored sites are from the neo-Confucian era which began in the 14th century. Yeongju was an important Silla and Unifed Silla dynasty site, later renowned as a Confucian learning center. The photo below is of a restored Confucian hall with a 9th century Buddhist stupa in the foreground.
I’ll spare you any more tedious historical information, and just post photos.
We stayed the night in this 300-year-old house.
Near Yeongju, is a big botanical garden called Bonghwa. Oh, we have so many flower pictures, but here are a few of lotuses.
Funny thing… Way up in the north part of the park is an about 5 acre enclosure for a Siberian tiger. I read that Siberian tigers migrate into the far north of North Korea, near where Russia and Heilongjong, China meet, but there are definitely no tigers down here anymore.
Here was a nice place around there.
That’s going to do it for now. I hope you Americans had a good 4th of July. Be well, all of you.