South Korea (ROK) 2017

Osan AB

I stayed just long enough on Yokota AB to injure my toe. I caught a space-A hop from there to Osan AB on this Patriot Express aircraft.

 

A familar sight for all who walk on and off base. Osan's schools and a crosswalk to the parking structure on the left

 

The injury was bad enough to even days later, bleed through my sneakers
Still hoping to heal up in time to go to Nepal, I bought Timberland waterproof hiking boots at the Base Exchange. Time was of the essence, since I had only one month free parking at Travis AFB. However, this time around it wasn't to be, and I may shift the Nepal trip into early next year, when certain treks are open again.

 

The Base Exchange concession shops offer Korean furniture

 

Both sides of the passage leading to the actual Exchange store are lined with concession shops and stands in between

 

The quality here is good and prices are at times the same as off base

 

Richel, a sweet 4'10" Filipina who runs this stand in the Exchange building. She and her husband (retired military) also have an off base store

 

 

On most overseas bases, there are US cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles available (usually for stateside delivery). However, this was one of the more unique items I saw for sale inside the building. It folds up into a tiny package that one can throw in the trunk of any car. Yup, I see it as well. There's an electric scateboard for sale, too.

 

 

Inside the BX, a couple of sisters who both would love to own this. What is the world coming to? Whatever happened to bicycles?

 

A four dollar lunch, they change it every day. Across from the Air Force lodge is a bus station (to Seoul and other bases) and inside is a very popular kitchen that serves Korean food. Yes, you can eat with the spoon, but where's the fun in that? Keep that for the soup. For everything else, the metal chopsticks are suprisingly usable. Many of the US military and most of the Koreans eat lunch there most every day.