A visit to INKAS

Playing dress ups at Deoksogung Palace

Another of the agencies that is important to Adoptive Families is INKAS. Forgive if I have the exact acronym wrong, but this is the international Korean Adoptive Service. They are an organisation largely funded by donation whose purpose is to support Korean children adopted to international countries. Whilst they assist families on privat visits, their main purpose is to encourage Korean Adoptees to return to Korea, perhaps undertake study at a Korean university and if desired try to make contact with culture and birth mothers. As you can imagine this involves older adoptees, but they have helped us in planning this trip so we had to visit to pay for Accomodation in Andon this coming weekend.

Paying respect to victims of the Ferry disaster

Walls of ribbons at City Hall

On the way we split, Liz to buy tickets for an early evening performance, whilst I guided mother and Amelie towards INKAS. Free Liz could make the side trip and meet us. Passing by there was a touching memorial to the freely disaster victims. Tens of thousands of yellow ribbons had been tied to every vantage point, trees, tent poles and ropes. Amelie insisted on writing her own message on a ribbon. She also passed by the memorial and was invited to place a flower beneath the wall of photos of the victims.

Memorial to ferry victims

Deoksogung Palace

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Both Amelie and mother were quite touched by this memorial and took time to compose the right message for their ribbon.Soon we were entering the INKAS office where we met Ah Yeong...... The "new Sunny". We took time to sort a few thing out for our visit, such as Accomodation for Andong, offer Amelie the chance to have a pen pal from Korea, and find out ther IS a UKULELE festival whilst we are in Korea and how we can get there to join in.... Fun, fun, fun! ah Yeong tells us Sunny has started her own business ,but still has some contact from INKAS staff so will pass on greetings from the Feel the Love tour. By the afternoon Ah Yeong had confirmed the ukulele festival and provided great detail Bout how to get there by train, with maps and everything. Amelie will be sooooooooo pleased.

The Parade making its way for changing of the guard at Deoksogung Palace

After INKAS we wandered the trendy shops of Myeondong. As most of were really too old to beer here, Amelie was the only one lucky enough to score a brand new pair of runners with just the right amount of bling. Unfortunately for Dad they do. It seem to have the shoes with the LEDLights that flash with every step, in his size.... Buggar.

Groupies showing off their autographed merchandise

The afternoon performance Liz managed to book from "half-tix" was Jump, this time at Nanta theatre. For the refugees from Feel The Love tour, you will remember how excited and worked up the kids were afterwards. This proved no exception and Liz and I had to deal with the tow girls once again buying merchandise, getting autographs, shaking cast members hands and ..... Showing off their own taekwondo skills. And we thought we had walked mothers feet off.

On our way to the performance we took a moment for quiet contemplation in the grounds of Deoksugung Palace. This former royal palace displays the history of colonial occupation with several buildings replaced by more contemporary architecture. With entry only priced around a dollar our visit was not long enough to take it all in, but there is still time for a return.

A highlight of the day for Mother was one of those small opportunities that travel can throw up every now and then. Outside the front gate of Deoksogung Palace a small marquee allowed trutists the opportunity to try on traditional Han-book so photos caould be taken under the eaves of the palace gate. The child within Mother could not resist such a chance. Despite the frustrations of a fellow, extremely pushy and rude tourist, Mother managed to be dressed and had me join her to pose whilst Amelie and Liz snapped away (I can't believe this was a free activity). On returning our costumes the ladies manning the booth were once again displaying thin patience for our pushy friend. When helping me out of my costume the lady showed the biggest smile to a simple thank-you for her patience. Korean people are so lovely.

 

 

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