Sumo with the Kiyose

Tommy and Stanley both are in cub scouts here at Yokota Air Base.  They have gotten to see and experience some pretty neat things on the base, but they also have had a great time getting to know some of the Japanese packs off base who we do events with several times a year.  A couple weeks ago the Japanese hosted a sumo tournament for the boys.  We did not end up going to this event last year so were unsure what to expect.  We were surprised at how authentic they made it.  It mirrored very closely an actual tournament here in Japan, except the size of the wrestlers was a shade different.

Flags hung in recognition of the upcoming Boys Day on May 5,

these are hung all over Japan if you have a son

The ring

It started with a very elaborate blessing of the ring, complete with sake and salt by a priest

This made us a bit uncomfortable

showing their colors

Tommy

and again

Stanley

throwing salt into the ring is considered good luck before you fight, and the boys loved doing it

Stanley

You win a fight in sumo, by forcing your opponent to step outside the ring, or by throwing them to the ground.  Stanley got very into it and did very well.  He came in 3rd overall

Gathering round

Even the pack leaders were good sports and tried their hand at it in the end.

The boys had a wonderful day, running around practically naked, wrestling, eating curry, and throwing salt...whats not to love?  I am pretty sure we will go again next year!

Wonderful fellowship in Korea

On Saturday we really had no definitive plan for the day.  Shop the markets, go hiking, do more touristy castle visits...oh what to do...but we were glad in the end we had planned it that way because after meeting brother Wang kun Pang in the morning, we ended spending the day leisurely strolling the Seoul zoo with the children and getting to know this kind man.  He goes to the Seoul assembly.

silkworms for a snack anyone?

These were the neatest ice cream cones I have ever seen...shaped to look like an elephant trunk, with ice cream on both ends!

making masks with leaves

Audrey found a friend

Sunday we met brother Pang again, this time at the Korea Assembly.  We had such a nice time of fellowship, and encouragement.  They also spoke very good English!

The outside of the building.  

Eating lunch

lunch was sweet beans and rice, and a spicy curry type stew, both were very different in taste from the Japanese versions

the women sat apart from the men, not sure why?  I am not sure if I committed a terrible faux pas by sitting in the main area or not...and it was too late before I realized it

They wanted to make a heart, to show love.  This is definitely not American nor Japanese...Korean are very different in many ways.

Our kids were the main attraction

All tuckered out in the taxi on the way home.  It was a long day..we left at about 8:30, and did not get home until about supper time.

We decided to try to fly home on Monday morning.  We headed back to Osan Air Force Base to catch the flight out that afternoon.  But, after making roll call, checking our baggage in, and waiting to board, with 4 antsy children no less..they cancelled the flight.  They said there was hazardous material on board and it was not safe.  After wasting a whole day sitting around waiting for this flight, we had to head back  into Seoul with 4 very hungry, cranky, children.  And it was understandable, I was too!

Thankfully the next morning we caught this C-5 back to Yokota...
C-5's are massive, they transport tanks in them and other large military equipment.  Though maybe not the most comfortable, relaxing flight...it was free, so who am I to complain!

Sleeping conditions were ideal, though very loud, no windows made it pitch black

Selfie with daddy...

I really hope we get a chance to go back here, though a nice country, the people and friends that were made, make the return trip very appealing!

DMZ day 2

The number 1 thing I wanted to do here in South Korea was head up to the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea.  In one particular spot you can go to where the North/South have their meetings and actually stand in North Korea.  Unfortunately you have to be 10 years old to see that place called the JSA, but we saw what we could with our kids.

in front of an old bullet ridden train used in the war

Audrey was photographed CONSTANTLY here

they were all waiting their turn for a picture with her

where POW's were exchanged after the war.  Note the barbed wire fence.

There was barbed wire everywhere

Pyeongyang!  This is the last train station before you get to the north...

Our view of North Korea...we could see 2 towns, but you couldn't get great pictures of them.

We also went down to see the tunnels that North Korea has dug to the South.  But alas all those photos were lost...

all tuckered out

For dinner we met up with an old high school friend of Andrews for dinner.  Anthony Lichi.  He works for the Navy and are currently stationed in Soeul.  This photo was taken very near their house.

They have great views of the city.

8 kids on a white couch, what could possibly go wrong?

Thankfully nothing!

We had a wonderful evening with this family, hope they make it to Japan soon!