2002-08-17 - 1:16 a.m.

Tuesday, August 13

Quiet day, hot and humid. I got some laundry done and then wnent to the PC bang until time to go to the meeting at the USO. Met a New Zealand lady, who is staying at a yogwan in Insa-dong until she finds work. She seems like a really up-beat, well-integrated person.

Afterwards, we went up the street for supper. I had a fine dish of mandue and enjoyed chatting with Cookie and 2 others.

Coming out of the restaurant, we saw all the traffic stopped. A large crowd of young people were standing in the middle of the street waving banners and chanting slogans. As we walked along the sidewalk, there was an answering roar of a police loudspeaker. I caught a glimpse of what looked like over 50 cops in full riot gear, running up the street. Then, a young girl carrying what looked like an iron pipe dashed past me, closely followed by two cops carrying extra-long billy-clubs. One shouted to the other, "Go get'er. She went that way." I was amazed that, in the heat of the chase, they spoke English! I did not get a good look at any of their faces, as I was too busy avoiding getting knocked over. At the next corner, I got a view of police man-handling students, and decided to go down the side street away from the action, so I could take the nearest subway train outta there! My trip home was very normal and easy. You'd never know anything violent had happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday, August 15

Happy 85th Birthday, Mom!

Whew,it's a bit mind-boggling to say that I can remember when my mom was 28. Dad was in the Army; she was pregnant with John and tending a herd of milk goats. We didn't make much of V-J Day. Granddaddy Neal came up to see us with a big box of groceries and other stuff. I expect he told Mom the news. She wasn't interested in listening to news on the radio. "We can't do anything about it; so why listen and get all upset." We listened to a few shows, mostly stories or music.

WEEI, out of Boston, had live musicians in the morning. The show host would introduce them, have them play some tunes and they'd banter back and forth. They played a lot of jigs and reels; I always thought of cowboys when I heard that music. (Now, I realise they were Celtic songs.)

Today is Independence Day in Corea, marking the end of Japanese occupation. There weren't a lot of celebrations. The government is being tactful. The policy is "building bridges" and playing down historic bad blood. There were flags flying, all along the streets as there are for every national holiday. I even put out my little flag in solidarity.

Most shops were open and there were lots of people walking around; some using the chance to shop and others enjoying the free day. It was cloudy and just right, not too warm, with a few sprinkles in the afternoon and evening.

Good night and thanks for reading.

Happy Trails!

~ Sil in Corea

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