Yesterday was a quiet day for Canadians at the track so we hopped on a train to the southeastern end of the country to see the ocean-side city of Busan, formerly known as Pusan.
I should note that a lot of the names of communities here, both in South and North Korea I recognize from my adolescent addiction to the 70s television show M*A*S*H*. Hawkeye and crew were stationed in various North Korea towns and villages but often took R&R in the south. Television has finally added to my education!
Busan is a busy city with an international flavor and a fantastic outdoor market — “You want Rolex? Is fake but automatic!” I picked up my own personal favourite, a lovely Cartier tank watch — checking the spelling to ensure it didn’t say Carter!
The market was hugely organized — who’d have thought? Watches down this aisle, used clothing down another, handbags and shoes along another — myriad rabbit warren alleys — a mystery to retrace one’s steps.
And a lovely little camera shop selling top of the line Canon lenses all the way down to the Tamrons and Sigmas of the world. No hard sell but a chance to try on and drool. And in my excitement of handling these gorgeous lenses I left my knapsack behind as we toddled off down the street. The shopkeeper’s wife found us a block later — poor thing was more stressed than I was. (After being continually freaked out about losing my passport on one of the dozens of trains, buses and subways we’ve boarded, I finally left it at the hotel. Hence my lackadaisical attitude, I guess…)
Not a lot of bartering, incidentally. The folks know their prices and stick to them. My father so harangued one fellow over the price of a pocketknife that the man finally gave it to him. I guess he thought Dad needed it more than he did!
The Country Mice 
Now I have to say that I am taken with the rubber chickens. Did one of those go into your suitcase by chance?
Towards the end of our stay in Hanoi I discovered that somewhere in the city light up wall clocks were available. In particular I was after the Ho Chi Minh wall clock. Downside was they rather large and the bigger downside was we had run out of time. Sigh. This together with my life size crane remains high on my list:) Okay I could leave off the crane – but that clock I have to have:)
On this note I am thinking your Dad should come with to Viet Nam. Now I will note I will have to walk away because I am no good at this stuff. Can’t even watch. But bartering is a form of recreation in Viet Nam -thinking he would like this:)
Although we did come to think of it barter for the dragon flies. But them we were buying a 100. So a different kettle of fish no? It seemed reasonable as we were quite sure that it was not everyday that folks approached with a need for a 100 bamboo dragonflies:)
The sights and sounds you share do warm my heart.
Mary
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