1. The Ritz Carlton Seoul (where we were staying) has the “fancy toilet” thing down. The
bathrooms have toilets with heated seats and buttons that make warm water shoot up to wash everything and then another button makes hot air dry you all up. An odd feeling the first time - but definitely a keeper. The #1 question at our first breakfast when we saw everyone was: “Did you try the toilet?”2. Under the rules of the competition, you have to have a 
photograph – with both team members - at every place you go to prove that you were actually there. You end up asking a lot of strangers to take your photo and - when no-one is around - you end up with lots of photos of your nose hairs, half of one ear, the top of your head, or an odd angle as you try to hold the camera as far away as possible to get the location in the background…
3. We learned that Koreans do not like to tell you “NO.” They are too polite and think that No is rude.
So instead, when they cannot give you an affirmative answer, they just cross their hands to symbolize “no way.” We saw this a lot.
photograph – with both team members - at every place you go to prove that you were actually there. You end up asking a lot of strangers to take your photo and - when no-one is around - you end up with lots of photos of your nose hairs, half of one ear, the top of your head, or an odd angle as you try to hold the camera as far away as possible to get the location in the background…3. We learned that Koreans do not like to tell you “NO.” They are too polite and think that No is rude.
So instead, when they cannot give you an affirmative answer, they just cross their hands to symbolize “no way.” We saw this a lot. 4. At the fortress on top of the hill, there was a fierce looking gargoyle 
spitting out water- about half way up. It's the Korean version of a water fountain. Next to it was a hanging cup for climbers to use to get a drink of water. I was too afraid of flesh-eating parasites to try it, but I liked the concept.
spitting out water- about half way up. It's the Korean version of a water fountain. Next to it was a hanging cup for climbers to use to get a drink of water. I was too afraid of flesh-eating parasites to try it, but I liked the concept. 5. Everyone is doing well and is energized. Emily and Elizabeth have been great at plotting, planning, mapping… really taking on the challenge of the event. And there has only been one meltdown.. which was quickly overcome. Natasha and David are doing great. 
Only one major fight so far to report but there are several weeks left….
Only one major fight so far to report but there are several weeks left…. 6. We had to go into various convenience stores and find the weirdest thing in there. My favorite was seaweed juice sold at 7-Eleven.
7. We had to do a Taekwondo demonstration - at this special park area - Elizabeth and I are particularly graceful at it.
2 comments:
Thats how the toilets are in Japan too. I remember accidentally pressing something and being squirted with water. It was definitely an interesting experience. Sounds like you guys are having a great time! Miss you!
My wife Lucy bought a bidet-type attachment for our toilet that does all the stuff you're describing. $800 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I made fun of it at first, but once you experience the satisfaction of a clean butt this device provides, you never want to go back to a traditional U.S. toilet - or a separate bidet (which I still haven't mastered at our home in Chengdu). I take some pride in knowing I have the cleanest rear-end on the Prempro list-serve (most days!).
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