Busan

I wish I could explain to you all how beautiful this city is. Though I was skeptical at first because the train station is in the industrial area, Busan is the perfect amount of city and beach. Though it is the second largest city in South Korea, Busan's population is about 3 million compared to the 13 million people living in Seoul.

After arriving in Busan at around 1:00pm, my parents and I checked into our hotel and then walked around for a bit. We had lunch at this delicious French bakery, where you go around with tongs and a tray and choose everything you want -- the food was simple, yet so tasty.

Walking around Busan after lunch was fun and we stumbled upon a local fish market. The first tank I noticed when walking along the street were eel, tons of them swimming around in the tank waiting for their ultimate fate. There were various other types of fish, crab, and even urchins. It was crazy to me how much fish and seafood there was in just one small block. The smells were unreal. I can't explain to you all the magnitude of the stench that I thought would cling to my clothes -- luckily, it didn't. My mom wanted to stop and take pictures, and I just wanted to get out of there (the thought of it is making my stomach turn). I will post pictures of the market tomorrow.

Busan is known for their fish so tonight we went for sushi at an all you can eat sushi bar called Happy Sushi. The food was delicious and we all left feeling happy and completely full.

We walked around a little more after dinner and though we haven't even spent 24-hours here yet, the mood here is quite refreshing. The crowds are nowhere near as pushy as those in Seoul, and it's a much more laid back scene then what we have experienced over the past several days.

Tomorrow we are heading to Buddhist Temple to learn more about the history of Buddhists in the area (and because Buddha's birthday is coming up here in South Korea), and after we will be taking a tour of the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Tomorrow should give us a deeper look into the history of this city and of it's inhabitants.

I am still super full from dinner. With a full tummy, tired legs, and tired eyes I am going to say goodnight to you all for the evening! (And goodmorning to you all in the States!)

I hope you all reading from back home have a great day!

Something to think about.

When we were shopping today I held a door open for an old little Chinese woman. She called to her husband, pointed at me, walked through the door and grabbed me by my cheeks with a huge smile on her face. Her husband was laughing in the back and looked at me and said, "Thank you."

Remember how far one small act of kindness can go. Happiness and kindness both go two ways, and most often hand-in-hand.

Goodnight!
xx Meryl