Hometown Train
Growing up in Illinois in the MidWest I have always had a fondness for trains. The old train I'm riding in now used to be called the Mugungwha. That means the Rose of sharon. It was named after the national flower of Korea. Maybe they thought the name was too old fashion so they changed it but the train is the same except some paint on the outside and new curtains.
Today this train is given a much longer name:
전통시장 관광열차
Jun-Tong Shi-jang
Gwan-gwang Yul-cha
It means the "Traditional Market Tour Train". I'm on this train simply because I couldn't find a seat on any other train going to my wife's hometown.
It's not easy to get train tickets these days in Korea. Only the window seats are for sale. A space in the aisle must be kept between passengers and no standing passengers allowed. This makes tickets even more difficult to come by.
This is the week train tickets are in high demand as people visit their family and hometowns for a holiday. This holiday is called Chuseok. It is a day to remember the ancestors who worked hard to make the way for them to survive. It is supposed to be a day of Thansgiving and rememberance.
At first my mother-in-law told us not to visit because the corona cases in the hometown were going up. But after one day of the holiday past she was bored and lonely and wanted us to come.
We are all vaccinated and keep social distancing so I think we should visit. She really wants to see me and the family and I shouldn't deprive her of the family that makes her so happy.
I don't know how my wife got the train tickets in such a short notice. Usually I have someone get them flr us a month in advance, but somehow when we logged into the computer this time somebody had just cancelled on the traditional market train to Masan city. This is kind of a hillbilly train but her hometown was on the line so she picked up the tickets right away.
The kids are super excited to see their grandparents... although we cannot see the whole extended family yet.
I guess the first think we can be thankful for is the seats on this train and the safe trip to the hometown. And of course my wife's parents who are like angels and welcome me and our family with joy and tons or Korean food, kimchi and everything. I will get some pictures and share some of the sensations. Meanwhile it's time for me to love these beautiful people.
The stars have aligned and the train tickets have luckily manifested themselves for you and yours. This was meant to be. Have a great holiday and visit with family. 🙂
Thanks. I'm feeling good. It turns out my mother-in-law was sick and needed some help around the house. Things are working out very well !LUV
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Happy Chuseok, Enjoy the holidays and have some great memorable time. Let the kids make some noise 😂👍. !PIZZA
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We are having a great time @vikbuddy
!LUV !PIZZA
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it's the will of a daugther to meet here mother :) You can't imagine how strong this bond is, they make it possible no matter what.
I hope you and your family had a really nice time.
And here I thought it was that my mother-in-law wanted to see me. Actually I have not seen the two of them so happy as today... a special day !LUV
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Mother-in-laws do that all the time so that the son-in-law is impressed and he brings her daughter to her. That's what my mom does too to my husband, LOL. It's a trick but a cute one. Mommies miss their daughters.
I totally believe you. Her mom said her knees hurt a lot so this time her daughter could help her and it turns out even my boys enjoyed some gardening and drying vegetables and hathering nuts. Now I'm back to school.
!LUV
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The name itself imply alot meaning to the rain.
전통시장 관광열차
Jun-Tong Shi-jang
Gwan-gwang Yul-cha
It means the "Traditional Market Tour Train". I'm on this train simply because I couldn't find a seat on any other train going to my wife's hometown.
It's not easy to get train tickets these days in Korea. Only the window seats are for sale. A space in the aisle must be kept between passengers and no standing passengers allowed. This makes tickets even more difficult to come by.but the aid of the train all the ruth is easy to access.
For me and if am in the position to advice the government I will say they should make more availability of train because the population of human is hight at the country so to reduce the stress.thanks
Yes, I understand @profdanzy,
But the government wants to keep the spread of Corona from the capital to the countryside to a minimum so they cut down the service. There is no way the railway can support itself at this rate. They are hoping that after the holiday things will get better. I just wish there was some actual reasoning for their hope.
Nice write up, enjoy your holiday
Thanks @timmypat,
It has been a few days since I was behind a computer but is seems like a week.
Happy chuseok to you too @mineopoly. I'm glad you were able to get tickets to go see your in laws and I'm sure it was your wife's faith that actually made it work. It's am holiday, have fun, eat lots of kimchi, takes lots of pictures and enjoy every bit of the moment spent there. Maybe you'll be able to share some of your experiences with us.
I haven't ever been on a train because its not a predominantly used mode of transport here. We make use more of buses and tricycles or sometimes motorcycles. I hope I'll get the chance to board a train sometime in my life, I'll surely cherish that moment, haha..
Thank you for sharing
Thanks @chincoculbert for the personalized comment,
It's been a busy holiday. My mother-in-law was sick. That's why she didn't want us to come. But that is more reason for us to be there.
I will keep you updated and share some insight into the meaning of the holiday and some traditional foods.
Surprisingly !PIZZA is not a Korean traditional food.
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Got to leave a 100% upvote for just CCR alone! :)
You have taken the proper precautions, so I think you should visit. Time keeps ticking. We just buried a relation. We visited him last year and had a good visit. Some thought it was not proper, but I am glad we did now. He was 93. How long can we wait...
It was time well spend.
Much !LUV to you and your family.
Screw social distancing and visit them now.
Just remember to wash your hands^^
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