Cliff Canvases Korea

Finally...the post you have all been waiting for...(OK, the post I'VE been waiting for...so I can clear out this backlog of other posts I have in the cue!) I finally got Cliff to sit down with me and pick some pics from his Korea trip and tell me about them. The words here are my own (have to protect the innocent).


The Marine Corps always travels in the lap of luxury. Starting with a 0400 flight in a KC-130J. Pretty posh, no? It was about a 3 hour flight, so not bad.

Cliff was in Korea for about a month as part of an exercise. They got a chance to go out for liberty on the weekends. Sometimes they had stuff arranged for them to participate in, but sometimes they were on their own. Between the other Chaplains and RPs (Chaplain Assistants) he was there with...and the other guys in his Marine unit, he always managed to find company. (Hey, can he help it? If I was there, I'd want to hang out with him, too!)



This particular liberty, he was riding the train into Seoul with some other chaplains and doctors (Navy has to stick together sometimes, right?)



They went to the top of the N Seoul Tower and took a look around.



This is what they saw.



Cliff can't remember for sure, but thinks this is a Buddhist priest (as opposed to Judas Priest? I am so going to hell. Wait...do Buddhists believe in hell?). Anyway, Cliff said he was very nice, he spoke some English and has a brother in California. I said, "Near Anaheim, maybe?" It took Cliff a minute, but I earned a chuckle/eye-roll combo. (Yes, I'm headed to hell for sure...just reserve my non-stop ticket on the bullet train...)



They spent some time shopping, as well. Cliff brought home a very lovely amethyst pendant for moi. They specialize in amethyst in Korea. I like this place already.



Had to share some Engrish. What does one have to do to be an influential force in the vinyl toy world? ("I am a force to be reckoned with! {in the vinyl toy world, that is}")



I would LOVE to go around the world collecting pictures of mannequins. It is SO interesting to see each culture's take on the mannequin. ("Hmmm...we need to make our mannequins appealing and inviting...something people could see themselves in..." "OH, I know! How about Satan in his underwear?")



They got snow a couple of times during the trip...which was a pretty sharp contrast to the balmy breezes in paradise I was experiencing here in March.



This was another liberty trip. This one was an organized event put on by the Korea-America Friendship Society. This statue really defies description for me, so just click, enlarge and enjoy. This was outside the cultural hall where the event was held.



This was Cliff's favorite act. There were other singers and dancers, including some famous Korean opera stars.



Lunch was served as part of the tour.



Looks very yummy. Cliff says it's called Bulgogi, meaning thin slices of marinated sirloin beef you grill yourself and add veggies and noodles.



The Korean forces base parking lot. Not kidding.
(I've seen similar lots in Tokyo, too... and an indoor bike garage a block long.)



And once again, first class accommodations headed home. This picture makes me smile. Not just because of the gorgeous guy in the middle...but I know both of these guys Cliff is seated with, and they (and their wives) are some of our dearest friends here. We are so lucky to be surrounded by great people. Marines rock!