Mayans, Misdemeanors, and Merriment

The day started out with a bus ride into the western outskirts of Seoul. It is so much different to travel to Seoul above ground. Riding the subway, I lost all sense of direction. But being able to see landmarks, I could judge distance and know which way to walk.

We met two co-workers (one of which was an hour late) with the specific intention of going to a Mexican resturaunt for lunch. The proprietor we later found out was Korean but had lived in Mexico for two years studying the food and culture. Casa Maya was born and had authentic Mexican food, Mexicana decor and played latino music while we dined. I had the lunch special of two tacos and a cabbage salad. Delicious!

We split up and half our party made its way to a book store and the other half went to 20's group choir practice. We will be performing at the Christmas Eve service. On leaving the church courtyard, we couldn't help but getting a picture inside the gigantic lighted 'tree' with a sign that says please stay away and don't touch.

We met up again for a Christmas concert by the Seoul Singers at Mission Chapel. The Seoul Singers are a diverse group mostly from the embassies that do Christmas and spring concerts each year. Their program consisted of:

Let All Mortal Flesh

Weinachtslied mit Echo

And the Glory of the Lord

Carol of the Bells

Christmas is Coming

Willie Take Your Little Drum

Drummer Boy

Virgin Mary

Feliz Navidad

White Christmas

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

The First Noel

O Come All Ye Faithful

Away in a Manger

What Child is This

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Arirang (a Korean Christmas song)

and a variety of sing along carols such as Joy to the World, Deck the Halls and Silent Night.