Daechon Beach

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we went on our staff retreat. (Actually, I'm not sure how long it was. I really seem to have no concept of time lately.) Anyway, last year and for many years before that, the staff retreat has been the first weekend of full staff before school starts. In other words, we were in country for about 10 days before we had to go spend the weekend at a retreat center with 150 people we didn't know. Not so much fun. Especially not fun when the sleeping arrangements consist of large rooms of women and children sleeping on Korean mats (yoh). Not so much sleep to be had.

Not surprisingly, it was not a favorite activity amongst the staff. Thankfully, last year those in charge of planning the staff retreat listened to the complaints and chose something much different. This year the retreat was not only not the week before school starts, but it was also optional, held at the beach far outside the city, and there was no structured activity whatsoever.

We got to spend two full days just relaxing and getting to know our fellow colleagues and their families better at the beach.

We even had Monday off from school, so we were able to leave Saturday afternoon and not come home until Monday afternoon. Nice.

The place that we stayed was actually developed by missionaries for missionaries in Korea about 30 years ago. So, it's rustic, but it's American-style rustic. There are cabins (that look like American houses) and that have real beds. A whole lot of bunk beds!

There were two different beaches that we were able to explore, and the kids loved digging in the sand!

It was one of those weekends where we didn't really have to worry about the kids because they were either with another set of parents or surrounded by a bunch of teens playing games.

It was so amazing to see sky and real sunsets in Korea with no skyscrapers in sight...our view of the Yellow Sea.

True, it wasn't a long walk to the nearest coffee shop or 7-11. I wouldn't say we felt that we were in a remote location, but we could definitely tell that we were outside the city, which is pretty exciting!