Friday and Saturday, Days 8-9: Out to the Ballpark, Korean style

I got my 10,000 steps in today no problem. We picnicked by the river for lunch. It's about a fifteen minute walk to the walk-in gate of the post, back past the house on the outside, across a major street and set of railroad tracks. The train came while we were waiting to cross on the return for an up-close-and-personal experience. Water skiers went by on the river while we ate.

On the way we passed someone moving in. I guess this kind of outdoor elevator truck is typical. Erika says she has a friend who lives on the thirteenth floor. When they moved in the guys didn't even use safety harnesses.

Seoul is a huge city. population more than 10 million. (Compare New York at eight million.) This picture is taken from the subway station over the river on our way to--wait for it!--the baseball game.

We went with a group of Dan's soldiers, guided by a couple KATUSAs, Korean soldiers with good English, assigned to assist the American military. These two work regularly with Dan's unit. We took the subway in a group with the KATUSAs to tell us where to get off. (Why are people so willing to give up the seats for the elderly and infirm to offer them to me?)  It was fun to see Dan in action, his men calling him "sir" and everything. 

The game was quite a cultural experience--lots of enthusiastic noise. It reminded me of a high school game at tournament time, but with lots more people. There were cheer leaders, songs for each player, and of course, the Korean national anthem, rather than stars and stripes. In the video you can see some of our soldiers, the cheerleaders, and just behind them, the batter who gets a double, much to the excitement of the crowd. 

Hot dogs were available, but chicken seemed to be the stadium food of choice with lots of interesting alternatives. I had peanut buttery squid tentacles.

I even convinced Erika to try one. Let's just say she kept it down. Simeon got a kick out of the noisemakers. They banged together with a resounding echo. At times he found the noise level overwhelming.

We cheered for the Bears. Not sure why, but I have heard they have been supporters of the military. Late night (for us) return home in a much less crowded subway. Most of Dan's men stayed out until curfew. Today has been a relaxed day at home. Not for Dan. He's training for a triathalon.