As those of you who have lived or traveled in Asia are likely aware, New Years is "The" holiday here. Everyone tries to go home for the Lunar (Chinese) New Year so they can spend a few days with their extended family. As a result there is a mass migration of folks heading home. In Seoul that means that literally hundreds of thousands jam the highways, trains, buses and airplanes out of town. The city also decorates itself to the hilt. Many of the skyscrapers have amazing light displays and one 30-40 story building that was really impressive is pictured in the top photo. Many businesses also decorate the landscapping near them with lights (see photo #2). Last year was the year of the "Golden Pig" and this year is the "Year of the Rat". That sequence sounds somewhat descriptive of the progression of the economy to us. Who knows?!

Early in January we attended a performance of a select group from the Vienna Boys Choir that was touring Seoul. The cheap seats (where we sat) where about $60 U.S. each but it was definitely worth it. They were amazing and we have included a photo and a video clip so that you can hear them as well as see them.