Toto..we're not in Kansas anymore.

After Mr. Hwang left on Tuesday night, the plan was for them to come back to the guesthouse on Wednesday between 12 and 1 so we had time to rest.  Well, little did we know that after not going to sleep until about midnight (after very little sleep during the trip), Min would be awake at 4:30 a.m. and Henry and Charles at 6 a.m. (so much for not trying Benadryl at bedtime). We got up, showered, dressed, drank a ton of coffee and decided to head out for our first look at the city. 

Made it to the Rinnai Building (fellow ESWS families will know what I'm talking about) but it is a visual landmark for finding your way back to the guesthouse. The boys were far more interested in just running down the street and seeing who could get the closest to the curb without getting hit by a car.

Just another street view

Looking at some fish in an aquarium outside of a restaurant. Some of the fish were dead so it was especially interesting to the boys.

We definitely learned that Seoul is a night city. Dunkin Donuts doesn't open until at least 9 a.m. and some restaurant hours are from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the morning. And, no, they aren't Perkins.

This photo is of Mr. Hwang trying to get Min to go to sleep on the subway. It wasn't working, but at least he tried.
After Mr. Hwang and his girlfriend got to the guesthouse (we had tried for everyone to crash for awhile at about 10 a.m., but with no success. So mom and dad drank more coffee...), we decided to go to Namdaemun Market. Namdaemun Market is a very traditional Korean market. For Americans, it is a never-ending maze of crowded little streets lined with tiny stores that are packed to the ceiling with whatever that store happens to be selling. I think you could pretty much buy anything you could ever need in this market and a lot more.

This is just a glimpse of the market. Pictures really don't do it justice, and it is hard to explain what it is like. I'll try to get some more pictures. We were so tired on this day that I still couldn't quite think straight.

A little restaurant in the market.

Another picture in the market. By this time, Charles was starting to droop, and was needing a lot of encouragement to keep going.

Because the boys were dragging, we decided to head back to the guesthouse. Took a taxi this time which was much easier and faster, but definitely not for the faint-hearted.  Mr. Hwang and his girlfriend offered to cook for us at the guesthouse. We walked to the grocery store down the street to buy supplies. And, with very little help from me (although I did learn how to make a few things), we soon ate supper of rice, bulgogi, pajon, and a baked egg dish. This was a great idea, since Min fell asleep before eating

Headed for bed shortly after that.