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Over the course of the last month, preparations for our return home has made life complex and, on occasion, stressful. Between all the administrative tasks, farewell meals, and souvenir collection, life had to be packed up into the confines of two bags at 45 kilograms each. Since the accumulation of new clothes, memories, and random accessories far exceeded the standard checked baggage requirements, anything not immediately needed upon returning home had to be mailed via cargo ship post. No matter how many boxes were shipped prior to departure, the task of loading each bag to the required weight was more than daunting. In summary, moving away is less stressful than moving home.

Tomorrow marks the final day in Korea. As either a show of emotion, or in hopes of easing our transition to the wet northwest USA, the skies of Seoul rained on the city for 24 hours. The Korean climate is typically dry between the months of September and June, and extremely saturated during the summer months. For those adjusted to northwest USA, rain is associated with cold temperatures, so a coat suffices as warmth and as water protection. In Korea, the wet and hot summers require an alternative means of water protection: umbrellas.
Since this is the Korean style, most people don't purchase waterproof coats, and thus need an umbrella even in the unusual winter rain. Furthermore, foreigners in Gore-tex without umbrellas are quite a concerning site to the locals.

Aside from kimchi and rice, soup is one of the most typical dishes on a Korean table. Koreans have these three items stored away for convenient eating with or for any meal of the day. It is widely believed that drinking water at a meal impedes good digestion, so instead people wash food down with soup broth. There are many types of soup on the Korean menu, the most coming being; 죽 (juk), 탕 (tang), 국 (guk), and 찌개 (jjigae). Cook time, thickness, and ingredients all factor into the different types of soup. Each variety is more than likely, "good for health."

As the final day in Korea approaches, each evening's encounter becomes a sad realization to an inevitable change. Throughout a year and a half, friends and acquaintances accumulate, and a final goodbye for each of them is hard to conceive. Realistically, after the transition back home, many of the people left behind will be thought of from time to time, but not contacted. Only the most unique and personal relationships will stand the test of time and space. For these, there is always a hope of a future; for the others, there is only the reality of the situation.

The cafe culture in Korea is bustling with gourmet and delicious varieties. Although many Korean people avoid coffee in the morning, many treat themselves coffee and dessert as a continuation to a dinner date. The menus offer pastries and ice cream, but the ultimate option is a deluxe waffle topped with ice cream, fruit, and other goodies.