There's not much to do at Gimhae except for sitting and waiting at one of the two cafe's. One was called Sand & Food, so naturally I chose the other one. I spent most of my time chatting on the phone with my dear friend Cecilia back home, trying to concentrate on staying busy and not fainting. It was so excited I struggled to breath. After my call back home I positioned myself at the gate waiting for the family to get off the plane. Off course at that time, the plane was still in the air. I never appreciated my ipod more than that day. Eventually the plane landed and a few minutes later I saw my brother coming around the corner followed by my mom and my dad. O and the tears. My dad and my brother saw that the luggage were taking off the carousel and my mom came to meet me. None of us said anything for the first 5 minutes... pff girls!
It was the most amazing feeling in the world to see my family in Korea. At the same time it was so surreal and weird.
We got into a taxi - that ripped us off by the way - and he took us to the Novotel in Haeundae. I threw a few words in Korean towards the taxi driver and impressed the parents with my very limited ability to speak the language. Off course it sounded very grand, but one Korean word sounds like a sentence to someone who doesn't know the language. Anyways we got to the Novotel in one piece and was sent up to our rooms. I was in Heaven at this point, because my whole family is in Korea and I get to stay in the hotel with them. Goodbye suckie, small Korean flat.
In the morning we enjoyed a lovely buffet breakfast at the hotel and started to get ready to go to Kyungsang so that I can show everyone where I live. At the flat we unpacked the suitcase of goodies that came all the way from home - easter eggs, NIKNAKS, top deck chocolates, clothes and SHOES o and a HEAT magazine! All the things I absolutely can't live without and can't get in Korea. I also received gifts and a beautiful card from my dear grandmother.
At the flat we searched the internet for another hotel that was better than the Novotel. The Novotel was dirty and each room doesn't have its own aircon/temperature control. So later that day we moved to the Westin Chosun hotel just down the street. 
The parentals picked up a bug that came all way from Dubai so they stayed home to get better. Luckily we moved hotels.. Can you imagine being sick and stuck in bed in a filthy hotel without air conditioning??
Since my family arrived, Busan's weather was amazing! The sun was shining and spring was really in the air (right until they left again off course). My brother and I spent the rest of the day wondering along the beach, playing guitar and that evening we went for a lovely Russian dinner with our fellow South African friends. After dinner we went for drinks at Eva's and met up with a few of the other people. Frank got to meet some of our Korean friends and share some shots and drinks with them.
It's hard explaining how it felt having my whole family with me in Korea. It's beyond awesome! I got to show them everything, introduce them to a few people and they even visited school and participated in one of my classes.
On Sunday we took the subway to Sasang where we met up with Marie and boarded a bus to Jinhae to attend the Cherry Blossom festival. This time of year is Cherry Blossom time. It was beautiful. On the festival grounds there were traditional Korean stalls with basically everything you can think off. Check out the photo's below..
Larwes..
Shark/whale or dolphin ... (really not cool!!!!)
Chicken feet and stuffed squid
kimchi
During the week we had the privilege of having dinner at my co-teachers house. It was a great experience to be invited into a Korean home for dinner. Even better because I had my family with me. This was the first encounter the family had with Korean food and Korean chop sticks. We had delicious wine, pork and beef - barbecued as well as rice with radish. You should've seen my dad trying to pick up a slice of paper thin radish. He discovered that wrapping beef, radish and onion in salad leaves are absolutely devind! In the end he managed fine :) For dessert they treated us with jummy ice creams and the best fruit you have ever tasted!
I also introduced the rest of the Du Preez gang to one of my grade 4 students and her mom. Lily and Soo Young. They took us out for Korean BBQ to one of my favorite Korean restaurants. My parents absolutely love Korean BBQ and my dad showed off his new chop stick skills and that he knows how to wrap meat in leaves. During this night they got to meet 'kimchi'. My brother asked: Wat is daai weird, sif rooi goed? HAHA Dinner was amazing and was enjoyed with small glasses of beer and good company. Another introduction took place on the night of the BBQ - My mother discovered Korean coffee... YUM!
The following night, I took them to the doughnut theater. The best doughnuts on earth! Wait for it... wait for it (drum roll please) KRISPY KREAMS!!! As we watched the sweet treats on the doughnut treadmill making their way towards the glaze waterfall, I immediately went inside to buy two just so that they could taste. There was no way I could wait until after dinner. After devouring the jummy doughnuts we met with Ellie. Ellie was my previous grade 5 co-teacher. I love her. I got to meet her very sweet daughter that night as well. Ellie took us to a traditional chicken restaurant where the chicken is served with chinese medicine. 
This Thursday my family came to school. The faces of the students were priceless, they couldn't understand where all the 'englishe' people came from. I introduced my parents to the school cafeteria and lunch. Seeing them eating out of these school plates which we call prison trays, was hilarious!! After lunch we had coffee in the Principal's office and he presented both my parents with gifts. What a big honour!
This week was absolutely amazing, we got watch movies together, my ma het my rug gekrap and we ate delicious food. The weekend started, true to South African tradition, with a stormers rugby game in an Irish pub (that opened especially for us). We introduced our Korean friend, Jared, to rugby and I think he enjoyed it very much. After the match we went to Jagalchi fish market. Jagalchi is a great experience and something a lot of people need to see, but once again it proves that if we continue to fish and slaughter like we do at the moment, our oceans will be empty in no time. 
The last day of the visit Jared and Han took all of us to a baseball game. Go Lotte Giants!!! This was incredible! I never thought I'd be able to sit through a 4 hour baseball match in the cold and actually enjoy it. We even managed to get on TV 3 times. National Korean TV, mind you!
The last evening the four of us spent together at the hotel with a lovely dinner in yet another Irish pub. Monday I went to school with tears in my eyes and luckily got the last period off so I left for the hotel a little earlier. We had just enough time to catch the airport bus and off we went. The longest hour bus ride I have ever taken. Every minute of it sucked. As much as I wanted to be with my parents and enjoy the last few moments in Korea I couldn't help but feel sad. It just sucks knowing that they are going home, to my home, and leaving me behind in Korea. So what if that sounds like me being a baby. I was a big fat baby ... but what the hell. They are my family and I love them! :)
The goodbye was really really hard, but better than the previous one. I will see them again and be home in four months. I can't wait! But until then, there's still a shit load of stuff I want to do in Korea and I plan on enjoying all of it!!x
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