Day Tripping...

Craig found out before we were heading to Korea that his elementary school friend, Charlene was teaching in South Korea with her boyfriend. We tried numerous times to get together when we found out we were only 2 hours away from their city, but it failed. They found out that Aaron was accepted into the PHD program in Thunder Bay, so are heading back to Canada this weekend. We knew our only chance to see them was last weekend. So, we decided to take a day-trip to Cheongju.
We took the train for 1 1/2 hours - and had no seats. We managed to sit most of the time on the stairs by the door that didn't open onto the tracks, and right close to the bathrooms. Not first class, but we were on our way! we had to switch trains in Jichowan, which 2 college student guys tried to help us do - and almost had us going somewhere else in Korea! thankfully a train station worker pointed us in the right direction. and we had seats - for the whole 10 minute ride.
We knew we didn't have much time, so Aaron and Charlene met us at the station and tried to get us tickets home for the evening. We headed out for lunch - and ended up at a tiny kimbap and udong (thick noodle soup) restaurant. I'm sure we made the old lady happy to have some foreigners in her place.
We headed up to the fortress, which ended up being beautiful and described as a small Wall of China. Only, we went the opposite way of everyone else...and we quickly found out why everyone goes the other way on this circle - cause our way was mostly uphill - and steep! but it was beautiful!
Charlene and Craig got to catch up on everyone they knew and where everyone is, and found out that Craig and Aaron played hockey together when they were 5 and 6 years old. It was really awesome for Craig to catch up with people he hasn't seen for 10 years but has known his whole life - in KOREA!! none of them thought when they were graduating that they would meet here.
We got down from the mountain by hitching with a young couple - the lady was an English teacher. We took a taxi and made it to our bus stop just as our bus was pulling up! we paid the $3.00 fare instead of the $25 cab ride and ended up at the train station 15 minutes before our train left.
What a day trip. it was great!