Seoul Lantern Festival 2013

It's that time of the year again when the Seoul Metropolitan hosts its annual lantern festival. Since its inception in 2009, the festival has grown tremendously in popularity and this year is no exception.The renowned Cheonggyecheon Stream has been transformed into a runway for the beautifully lit lanterns to strut their stuff.

Hordes of couples, families and friends made their way to see the lanterns on its opening weekend. A few friends and I also made our way downtown to see what it was all about, so here's a sneak peak (without spoiling too much):

Be sure to give yourself enough time to take a stroll along the stream. With the large crowds it does get pretty overwhelming and trying to get some good pictures will prove to be difficult. However, the large amount of people entering and exiting the festival are handled quite orderly as there are several guides along the way directing the crowds and keeping everyone moving. The lines move pretty quickly so no worries about waiting to long in queues.

Like I mentioned the festival has already commenced and will run until 17 November 2013. The lantern shine brightly from 5pm-11pm, nightly. The weather here in Seoul is still pretty great so get out while you still can and see the beauty that the city has to offer.

There are several means of accessing the Cheonggyecheon Stream, the most convenient is via subway:

Directions:

1. Jonggak Station (line 1)-Exit 4 or 5 
2. Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5)-Exit 5 
3. City Hall Station (Line 2)-Exit 4 

4. Euljiro 1-ga Station ( Line 2)-Exit 2 or 3

Costume hunting: Hongdae

Okay, so it’s that time of the year again, when hocus pocus fills the air, all things creepy go bump in the night and of course when classic scary movies  re-runs are showing on TV. That’s right folks Halloween is upon us!

Here in Korea celebrations go down a little differently. It’s actually not that popular among the locals, however a few hipsters are growing more and more accustomed to celebrating Halloween as years pass by. So this crowd, mixed in with some tourists and expats has allowed for a rise in party shops. Many of which are currently stocked up with Halloween costumes, accessories and everything in-between. Whether you are planning on hosting a Halloween party or simply attending one, these party shops have several items which would suit your needs.

Anyway, for Halloween this year a bunch of friends and I are travelling down to Busan to spend the weekend, and we are in need of costumes, or at least costume ideas. After an extensive internet search the most positive results were gathered from AngloINFO Seoul (no surprise!). The websites directory of “party venues and supplies” (http://seoul.angloinfo.com/af/712/seoul-party-venues-and-supplies.html) helped kick-off our search. Of course I came across other sites which recommended stores in Gangnam, and around Sadang station. But, since I live all the way in Paju, my first and closest bet was to go to Hongdae, and that’s exactly what a friend and I did.

Joy Party is where it’s at! This franchise store with a branch in Gangnam overwhelmed us. Their selection was great, with all sorts of goodies, not just for Halloween, but for Christmas, weddings, birthdays and more. This got our minds working, we went in with no expectation, but what we found was a gem! And best of all it’s so close to home! Because of all of the choices laid out in from of us we could not decide on what or who we will be this Halloween, but we defiantly got the ideas flowing and we will be headed back soon to pick up everything we need. The stores prices are pretty reasonable, we found a Supergirl costume for just 40.000won, giant angel wings for 12.000 won and other accessories starting from 4000won. A bargain store, really! Joy Party also stocks wigs, capes, glow sticks, and some deadly looking make-up. (Just a very small selection of make-up.)

They also have some great pictures pasted on the walls that can help you with group or individual themes and ideas. I plan on editing this blog soon; adding pictures of some of the stock they have. In the meantime here’s how to get there.

Directions:

-From Hapjeong Station take exit 3

-Walk straight for about 5 minutes until you see Bobo Hotel and turn right.

-Continue walking straight for about 300m and you should find Joy Party on your right.

-Joy Party is in the 5^th floor of the YB Building. There is a CU mart on the first floor.

If you’re lost just call 02 333 5100 (Korean only)

Operating hours: Monday-Saturday-10am-8pm

 Closed on public holidays!

Happy shopping ^^

August: The farewell month

It's that time of the year again, when the tide changes in teachers circles. It's out with the old and in with the new (unless your contracts renewed). A bittersweet feeling of being happy for a friend who is off to start a new journey in life, whilst at the same time a saddening feeling stretches across our hearts as we have to let go of friends who have become family in the time we spend together living here. Sure, it's also a great time to meet new people, however its feels like the first date syndrome all over again!

I write this blog reflecting on the time I've spent here, thinking about all the great people whom I’ve met along the way, and how as the end of August draws closer most of them will be leaving Korea. These people who have formed my support structure will be moving onto a new avenue in their life. And as exciting as it's going to be, when we are together we feel our heart break a little every time we say goodbye. The saddest thing I guess is not knowing when in life we will ever meet again. But thankfully through the wonders of the internet and social networking, we can keep in contact effortlessly. This however will never come close to the feeling of being able to spend time together in real-time.

I urge you to spend as much time as you can with your friends who will depart soon. It’s been a great adventure so far and I’ve been blessed to have met people who have become my friends for life. I wish that when you too come to Seoul, you are just as fortunate to make friends who are as great! It’s such a friendly capital here that if you think moving to Korea is going to be a lonely experience.... Think again...

To those who I’ll be saying goodbye too, just know you've made me a better person and you've impacted on my life greatly.

Till we meet again, I wish you all the best in your life’s journey.

Places in Seoul to take... anyone... really!

Well reflecting on the year that has been, I thought I’d write about my best times so far in the ROK. The year 2012-2013 was a really great one, fun-filled and action-packed. 

By far the best moments for me happened over Chuseok holiday last year, when my mom visited from SA. She arrived on 26 September, after what she had described as a looooonnnggg and tiring flight. The night she arrived saw the start of all things wonderful. We managed to visit most (if not all) of the major tourist sites and attractions in Korea. In the month that she was here we definitely created memories that would last beyond a lifetime.

The Friday night of the Chuseok holiday started our shopping extravaganza or what others may call an “addiction”. We kicked butt at the Paju Premium Outlets and afterwards got our hands on the most delicious handmade burgers in town. We dined at a little place called “Burger Hunter Plus”. After insanely overeating we headed home, prepared for the next day and got some much needed shut eye.

 

When I first got to Korea, there were many places in and around Seoul that I was fortunate enough to explore. One of the places that left a lasting impression had to be Insadong. Hence, first on our agenda was a trip to this vibrant and unique street. We walked around, shopped, ate and experienced all things wonderful. After sunset we headed on out to take a quiet stroll around Gwanghwamun Square... AWESOME doesn't even begin to describe what this place is. The towering statue of King Sejong is a glistening site accompanied by a statue of Admiral Yi Sun Shin, which is as equally as breathtaking.

 

The next day we hit up The Korean Folk Village in Yongin and boy oh boy was this a trip or what. An average travel time of about seven hours to get there and then back (as we braved the madness of Chuseok traffic) drained us! Despite it, all this did not get us down, when we eventually got there the site was totally worth it. To see Korea from where it started and progress to the technologically savvy hub that it is today was truly the greatest site.

The village was packed with locals dressed in the traditional Korean Hanbok, along with babies dressed up in cute little dresses and hairpieces. We headed back home starved as there wasn't much “Hindu friendly” food to be found at the village. Dinner was devoured at Korea’s famous “Mr. Pizza”. We topped up our tanks and headed toward the subway.

 On Monday we did as all women should, we went mall surfing and landed at COEX. The largest shopping complex I’ve ever seen in my life! Thanks to it being the holidays we got to watch a few traditional Korean performances about the Korean Thanksgiving Holiday.

Of course shopping is always on top of the agenda! COEX plays host to a wonderful aquarium, this time however we had to take a pass on it, because it was so overcrowded. Lunch was a drastic change of scenery. We ate at the serene “Pho Mein”, a Vietnamese restaurant which serves up the most amazing dishes. Afterwards we motored toward the Seven Luck Casino. Korea is not known for its casinos. In fact if you think about it, it’s practically non-existent to locals as Koreans are prohibited from gambling. Nevertheless we took out advantage of being foreign and went on in...So different from gambling back in SA! But the concept was of course the same and as usual we managed to lose ourselves some dough.

We ended the day with some yummy Baskin Robbins (This was actually the first time we ever ate Baskin Robbins ice-cream. We don’t have the chain back home). Baskin Robbins and ice-cream in general has now turned into an addiction of mine.

The next day we found ourselves in the global and multicultural hub of Itaewon. Not one of the priority places on our list to see, but we thought we’d knock it off while we could.

Next on the “to do” list was to visit Namsan Tower. We 'subwayed' and cable-car'd ourselves there late noon. There were several traditional performances and a flash-mob of teddy bears dancing to Gangnam Style (Yes, Gangnam Style was still embarrassingly popular back then).

Following the very creepy impersonation of a “teddy bear PSY” we headed up to the Observatory just before sunset. What a beautiful sight to see. The Seoul skyline really looked its best from way up high. Recollecting the memories of spotting so many wondrous mountains in the distance and looking down at the peak-hour traffic which resembled an ant army still leaves me breathless. This was yet another moment the camera could not capture.

We departed from the tower and headed the shopping capital of Myeongdong! First we strolled around the Shinsegae Department Store, picking up a few bargains. Then we crawled the streets of Myeongdong.

The next day we hit down the Noryangjin Fish Market and gee wizz did it hit us back. Okay it was a little smelly, but that comes with the territory. Despite this it was a great site. I saw crabs the size of full grown husky's and shrimp the size of anacondas!

We got ourselves a good deal on some fresh seafood (along with great service) and then headed home with our cooler bag in hand. Through the days blistering heat, we kept hoping that we will get all the fish back safely.

That night mom got to try one of my favorite foods in Korea, the awesome dduk galbi.

Dduk galbi is a Korean specialty dish. Its base is marinated chicken that’s stir-fried over a hot pan, right in front of your eyes. Accompanying the chicken are cabbage, (no dish goes without cabbage here!) slices of sweet potato, spinach leaves and some delicious tteokbokki (Korean rice cake). That mix is seriously a masterpiece!

 After a few rest days we headed on the Han River Cruise. Just a few hours before the Seoul fireworks festival could begin. It was experience that had to be lived. Right from the get-go the fireworks engulfed us with color, which filled the night’s sky. This was short lived however, as we were soon after crushed by latecomers who were trying to see the same thing we were. At that moment I despised Korea for the first time. This year, I’ll be skipping those crowds.

You cannot come to Seoul and not visit Gyeongbokgung Palace! The amazing architecture along with the stunning views from within the palace walls are a photographer’s paradise and a feast for any eye! 

 We went on to look around a gem in Seoul, Gwangjang Market I mentioned in my previous post, (where everything looks the same!)

 A major highlight of our adventures has to be our trek to Everland. Korea's very own “Disneyland”. It definitely did not disappoint. We loved everything about the amusement park. It offered world-class caramel popcorn and attractions! We loved it even more when we were getting our guts smushed around on "Lets Twist". Everland is beyond amazing! I suggest that if you are sticking around for a year, definitely get an annual membership.

During moms last week here, we managed to get as close to South Africa again as we possibly could. We dined at a phenomenal restaurant, namely Braai Republic in Itaewon.

Dinner was with the best company and most amazing co-teacher, (my co-teacher) anyone could ask for. We knocked back a few (too many) tequila's... had ourselves some awesome food (even a poitjie) and to end it all off... sampling the BEST milk tart the world has to offer. Even better then I've tasted back home (Durban).

The final weekend dawned on us and I planned on going all out for this one.

So what better way to be splashy, other than to head to Gangnam. Here I had booked us a full day of pampering at a luxurious day spa. First, we were treated to a hand and foot massage, then a soak in the jet spa, followed by a full body massage and to top it all off a wax manicure. Afterwards we were so relaxed; we could not make it back onto the subway. So we decided to check-into a hotel and spend the night.

On the final day of fun and frolic we went to watch a Nanta performance (Korean style non-verbal performance). It was a lovely way to end our time together. Saying goodbye at the airport was the worst of it all.

But saying goodbye is a whole other topic for another time!

Working tourist

So I moved to Korea almost a year ago and ever since I’ve been here I’ve always looked at Seoul through the eyes of an “ARC holder”. Recently however, a few friends and I had the opportunity of being given a new set of goggles, onboard the Seoul City Tour Bus.

It was definitely an experience unlike any other. Sitting high up on a double-decker with locals waving at us from down below, certainly stirred up a sense of excitement. We signed up for a tour of the traditional markets around the city which cost 12.000 won. The course consisted of roughly 13 stops, including Namdemun, Insadong, Myeongdong, Chungbu Market and my favourite Gwangjang Market. The luxury liner style was hop-on, hop-off and it ran every 35 minutes.

The ride was comfortable (but being burnt in the sun sucked!) however, not being given any audio guide made it difficult to figure out where we were or the actual “tradition” behind these markets. Nevertheless the crew tried their best to keep us informed. Apart from seeing different sites in Seoul, our nasal senses were greeted by the cities different scents. In particular those arising out of Chungbu Market. This market played host to all kinds of dried...yes dried sea creatures.  

   

The main attraction of the day had to be Gwangjang Market. I went to this market about a year back, when my mom visited Seoul. Not much has changed since then; the market is still as lively and colorful as before. The atmosphere is overwhelming and entertaining. With so many vendors vying for our attention, we without doubt came across all kinds of flattery in order to make a purchase. The highlight for me was watching the woman run their stalls and exercising their expertise over the frying of nokdujeon, a Korean style pancake dish, which is made from mung bean.

After a long and tiring day, my “touristy” adventures came to an end at Insadong. But, not before taking a stroll along Cheonggyecheon stream with one of my dearest friends.

Even after being here for almost a year, Korea and in particular Seoul keeps on surprising me. With so many things to see and do around the city, a lifetime here seems like it just isn't going to be enough. Here’s to more Seoul expeditions!