Happy Lunar New Year!

My students discussing something very important about their hanboks.

This is the wall that runs around the fortress.

Part of the city.

I just finished up another long 4 day weekend here in Seoul celebrating the lunar or as some say "Chinese" new year. I spent the majority of the time relaxing, but I did manage a mountain hike. It was just here in Seoul which is actually surrounded by mountains and something that frequently gets forgotten about because of all of the concrete everywhere. So my friend Derek and I hiked up this mountain, and the path ran along a old wall which surrounded a fortress and kept invaders from coming south across from what used to be part of Manchuria and is now North Korea. It was a very clear day, but unfortunately this city is very polluted and we couldn't really see too far. The pictures are good though and you can see much of the city. It is disappointing that even on cloudless days, there is a noticeable fog all around the city. From what I understand, the pollution comes from China's extremely successful industrialization. I am told that in April there are some wicked "yellow" dust storms that blow across the Asian Sea from China and create all sorts of havoc here in Seoul. I am sure it will be great for the old Asthma. Anyway, the hike was fun and sort of felt like we were in the outdoors even though there are skyscrapers in the distance.
Other then hiking, I recently purchased a bicycle and guitar. I have no idea how to play guitar, but I thought it should be fun trying to learn. So I am finding many ways to keep busy around here. My language is progressing, much slower then I had hoped, but it is none the less progressing. I am getting into a language class once a week starting Saturday which should help and provide a bit more structure for learning.
I am also strongly anticipating the starting of Spring Training. I have an addiction that needs to be fed. I thought this past season for my beloved Cubbies would be the end of me, but for some reason I continue finding myself wanting more and more from them. I will be purchasing the MLB radio again which is amazing and allows a person to listen to every game of the year online. It should be great and provide me with several more broken items in my householed from listening to them blow leads and continue down the road of futility.
I have posted a few more pictures here. Some from the hike, and a few more of my kids during the lunar new year party in their traditional clothing called "hanboks". I really want to get one made for myself.