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Well, back in New Hampshire. Lots of rain and wet. Considering that it was monsoon season and rain was expected daily in Korea, it was a good trip weather wise. Much more rain here...
It has taken me a couple of days to finalize this blog, as I have been suffering from a continuation of the GI issues that plagued me on the trip: fevers,excessive sleeping, lack of energy. Another day or two of this and it's time for medical intervention.

Now is the time for a bit of reflection, I suppose, as that is what these journeys are about to a certain extent. I guess I question that to some degree, as a lot of the reason I pursue travel is for the immediate stimulus and surprise, rather than the long term reflective reasons. I believe that is true about me in general on lots of levels. But, reflectively, I'd have to say I enjoyed the trip and am grateful that I was fortunate to go, but Korea did not impress me as did China or Japan. Poor Korea. It is a fine place with friendly hard working people that has been sandwiched between these two east Asian powers playing second or third fiddle off and on for millenia. It's impressive that they haven't let that dim their zeal for overcoming that status. They are still driven in their hyper Confucian nationalistic way to improve. I can't help but think that with the normalization of the current high standard of living that they will ratchet back on their ambition before long. However, with the possibility (probability?) of reunification, they will probably not have the luxury of doing so.