KTX to Seoul

We met Brian's cousin Kyun at a Starbucks around noon where we chatted for a little while before he took us to the Train Station. He brought a box of Krispy Cream Donuts with him which was very nice. We had a fun conversation with him there over the donuts and some green tea lattes. At the train station he helped us to find our seats and we were off for Jangheung! The trip was only about 2 and half hours. The KTX train is very luxurious. It's extremely clean and has good bathrooms, vending machines and tv's. The scenery out the window was a series of small towns and rice patties - all very green. We got off at Gwangju where Brian's Great Aunt and Uncle met us. I always get a very warm reception from his Aunt who they call Gwangju (name of the town) Gomo (aunt). I don't think Brian knows her first name. It was warm and sunny there.
First things first, we were treated to a scrumptious meal at a Korean BBQ restaurant (Bulgolgi). You sit on the floor around a low table and the waitress arranges about 30 small plates on that table. The dishes range from various spicy vegetable preparations to all types of condiments (including several types of kimchi) and a plate of lettuce leaves for making wraps. Then a mini grill is set on the table on which marinated beef or pork, mushrooms and garlic cloves are sauteed. You are given metal chopsticks and you can mix and match the dishes as you like... my favorite is to fill a lettuce leaf with a little bbq beef, white rice, mushrooms and spicy sauce. The meal was followed with a sweet cinnamon drink and sliced watermelon.
Next stop was a mall electronics department to buy a camera lens.
Funny story - Brian brought a big zoom lens, and only a zoom lens, for the trip. This was the first trip with our new Nikon. Well, we realized that it was too much zoom as soon as we tried to take a portrait shot. The only way you could get the person in the frame was to step back twenty feet. What do you do if you're in a room that isn't 20 feet long? So, it was necessary to buy a second lens.
While we bought the lens, Gwangju Aunt bought a watermelon or "soubak" in Korean. Watermelon is the go to fruit in Korea. We had it for breakfast, after breakfast, before lunch, after lunch, and before and after dinner. I don't know why...
After the Gwangju watermelon and camera lens errands, we drove to Jangehung. Brian took this pic on the way. The view was very scenic.