Big Time brownie points...... Plus ... Ha beat ya Michelle

Pictures to come.... Just had to publish a days bloge before Michelle just once.

Time now to reflect on how Korea has changed, even during the three years since adopting Amelie.

Dr Kim reflected upon this during her speech to us. South Korea has moved from third-world to first-world at lightening pace and continues to grow at a frenetic rate.

This means that values and traditions are challenged daily. This is astoundingly detailed in fashion, particularly women's fashion. During our Country night's and pre-travel briefings prior to adoption, it was continually emphasised how conservative Korean society is. Take it from me, things have changed.

Dresses were mainly conservative business with the odd above the knee skirt protecting modesty with opaque tights. Nowadays clothing is more provocative and dress length varies from conservative business, to discreet knee to 'show us your breakfast'.

Often the SUYB wearer attempts to conserve some modesty by the addition of opaque tights, but I'm sure many an older businessman is waken from soju induced slumber aboard subway carriages wishing they were a few years younger.

Technology has moved on too but train travel has the same lack of eye contact now due to ipads, smart phones or micro-TV drawing all attention to a 2 inch screen, centimetres from one's face.It is probably the reason for the SUYB skirt/cut-off jean. I mean a girl's gotta get attention somehow.

I would love to be here on the day sunspot activity wipes out all electronic machinery instantly to have one realise everything below one's navel is on full display when reaching to hold the overhead hand straps. Fortunately for the SUYB girls the lights will be out in the tunnel carriages to protect against that realisation.

Today involved a morning long bus ride to Le chen Ceramic Village outside Seoul for a ceramic making experience. All of use enjoyed painting raw ceramic plates to be glazed in time for our departure Friday. Artistry skill and dexterity was truly on show by young and old. Naturally in protest to Sonny's refusal to take us all to a fly-fishing shop, my scene involved casting the perfect loop. Liz relished the opportunity to revive the skills that won gold medals for handwriting at the Swan Hill show to create a master piece of her own.

Barb working on her masterpieceMrs Lee in the Advanced class

A few lucky individuals also had an opportunity to throw their own pots on the potters wheel. Liz had the full Patrick Swayze “ghost” experienced when I seized the moment from behind. Perhaps I went a little too far leaving two muddy, clay hand prints on the front of her blouse. Apparently that wasn't really in the version of the movie I recall.

Deb Sans Mr Sway-step

Sue can work without a net and with an audience

The afternoon return bus trip took us to Insadong for a brief shopping stint again searching fruitlessly for Traditional Korean Drums or Jan-gu and a retailer willing to arrange shipment to Australia for us.

Guess who was hyped up after the JUMP Stage show

The real highlight came attending the live show JUMP. This is a frenetic non-verbal stage production involving martial arts. Paul, our tour martial arts expert and Taekwondo practitioner assured us each performer specialised in a particular martial art discipline and the highly choreographed show made full use of their acrobatic skills.

The comedic storyline kept us all in stitches, particularly young Jin whose cute giggles could be heard by all in the theatre. How refreshing to have a show appeal to all comers regardless of age or race. We all left high on the adrenal boost provided by the show.

Autographs with the Cast of JUMP

What that means for the last couple of days or the tour and our older boys can only be tested by time. Hopefully all parents remember to hideaway those bamboo swords obtained in Jeonju.

Scenes from the Night Markets

The final act of the night ended with the collection of brownie points by us bleeding heart fathers. I hope Mums really appreciate the opportunity of a night attack on the markets, leaving us the dads to attempt to put to sleep the testosterone fuelled martial inspired tribal warriors.

At last. A store that tells it like it is......

We'll need more than an hour in Yongsan (the electronics market) to make up for this one for sure!!!!!!!!!!!! Just ask Michael.