Plus and Minus

So we arrive on beautiful Jeju island yesterday with plans to stay with another couch surfer.  To preface, I had emailed this guy a few times to let him know that our schedule might change and is flexible etc etc.

When we finally decided on a day to take the ferry over, I emailed buddy to let him know that we would be a day later than expected.
So after the lovely ferry ride, rent a car pick up, Love Land, scenic drives and lots of walking it's finally time that buddy gets off work, so I thought, and so we give him a call.
Oh, he's still in class, call back in 20min.  Ok.

We eat and call back again, it's 9:20pm at this point.  Buddy says "Yeah, you were supposed to arrive yesterday." 
S:  Yes, I emailed you our schedule change.
Buddy:  Ohhh, I didn't receive anything.
S:  Oh really?  Hmmm.  Ok, anyway, so is tonight still ok?
Buddy:  Well, you were supposed to arrive last night and people cancel on me often so I've made other plans.  I'm in Jeju city and about to head out.  I've made plans, sorry, enjoy the island.

S: WTF.

Sloane tells Randy.

Randy: WTF. 

We rage a bit and then laugh.  What are you gonna do?  This would be the "minus" experience.

So we go back to Vetro coffee where we had a coffee and internet session earlier and had actually asked how to get to buddy's apartment!
The coffee guy says, no friend?  haha  No, our "friend" is a dick and bailed and now we need a cheap place.

His daughter was behind the counter and jumped out from behind to help us.  "I will show you" she says.  She walks us all over to find a cheap love motel and her English is amazing.  Turns out she is home schooled and learned English from her dad and through watching movies!  It was fantastic.
She walked with us and we chatted and she was just so lovely.  She usually attends some kind of home schooling program in Seoul for most of the month and only comes back to the island for 8 days a month so we were so lucky!

So this was the "plus" experience.

After our time with the barista's daughter I thought how funny life is.  Plus, minus, balance. 
If buddy didn't cancel, we wouldn't have had this lovely exchange with this girl. 

If you find yourself in a "minus" type of experience, just remember that a PLUS is right around the corner!

Cheonggje with Jocelyn

We had a short but lovely time in Cheonggje with my friend Jocelyn.

Jocelyn and I met when we first arrived in Korea in 2007 and where we both spent the next 4 years.

We ate my favorite pizza, Nanta, watched a movie, went for a nice hike and drank coffee.

 A very tired Randy.  Slept through all the girl talk!

 Place a rock and make a wish!

NANTA!  Best $5 pizza I've ever eaten and look forward to eating more!!

ROK

After a car ride, plan ride, bus ride and taxi ride we finally made it to Korea!

We had fantastic seats on the plane and watched some good movies.  Emergency row with no seats in front.  Ahhhhhh sweetness.

Our first stop is Gwangju, Jeollanamdo, Korea.  The biggest city in this province and one I would frequent on weekends to grab a Starbucks and some Indian food.  Everything is full of memories here and is so special and will be much more fulfilling for me than for Randy me thinks.

Today we are exploring downtown, drinking coffee and people watching before we meet up with some old friends for, you guessed it, Indian food!  Here are some pics along the way.

 Do you like your first Korean meal Randy?

Ready, set, go

 Packing for this trip was tough!

 Beautiful ride down to Vancouver.  Thanks Geoff!

 Lovely leaves in Vancouver.  Thanks for the ride to the airport Matt!

Here we go again!

Since returning home from our last trip to Central America, we have been planning and saving for our next adventure.  Asia.

Starting on Monday, October 21st, we will set out on a 6 month Asian adventure that includes stops in Korea, Thailand, India and whatever else in between.

In Korea, I will show Randy the things that I often refer to and visit some friends.
In Thailand I will study Thai massage while Randy learns how to whip up yummy Thai cuisine, scuba dive and beach it and then off to India for more yoga training and cooking lessons for Randell.

We are not calling this trip a "vacation" but more of a life "alter-a-tion."  Actively pursuing the kind of life we want to lead.  One that includes doing the things that we want to do , includes warm weather and the ocean, one that includes simplicity and plenty of time for self exploration and growth.

We are very excited to go exploring and I will post as often as I can.  If you are planning a winter get-a-way, consider visiting us in one of these places!

See you in Korea!