The Calming Beauty of Fall

Someone very wise told me that I needed to get out of Seoul, just to leave, unplanned, explore and experience. So I followed this advice and the "weekend Seoul trip" post from Google, recruited Anne and we were off the following morning. I had found what was supposed to be a beautiful island Nami as our first destination, then we planned to go to Chuncheon for the night and then head over to Gangwon to bike and hike up to Gugok Waterfall. Without much information to go on, we headed to the Cheongnangyi Station in Seoul to grab train #1 to Gapyeong. Unsure of when and if there were any trains we (so we thought at the time) very lucky to get one. Only set back was that, sadly it was only standing room. So we boarded our train and found 'seats' conveniently located next to the bathroom!

Anne and her wonderful seat in front of the garbage!

1.5 hours later we arrived in Ganpyeong, grabbed a taxi to Namiseon. There I think was our first hint at how popular Nami Island was. The line was ENORMOUS! First however we were very shocked and slightly worried as the ticket counter was labeled "Visa" and there was an "Immigration" section. I definitely started questioning what I had gotten us into with my lack of planning, but as we soon found out Nami Island is a republic and nothing was needed, it was just a funny tourist thang. Then we stood in this very long line as we worried about how long it would take to actually arrive at the Island. But in true Korean style the line took us less than 15mins total! YAY!

Once there we were mesmerized at the beauty of the Island and quickly decided that we had finally returned 'home' as the long lost Naminaraian Princesses of old. We walked around for a bit and eventually took the mini train around the island as we passed key scenes from Winter Sonata, a very famous Korean drama that was filmed on the Island.

FALL COLORS!

Ostriches are native to the Island!

A very unique and beautiful art installation!

After soaking in much of the beauty and realizing that we must come back as soon as possible, we grabbed a quick lunch, did a little touristy shopping and decided it was time to head back to the mainland and on to Chuncheon. However, so it seemed was the thinking of the all the other tourists. We ended up in a line that stretched the entire island and took over an hour to reach the docks! After this long wait we started what was to be the most difficult part of the journey; finding a taxi! There were large amounts of people everyone, but no taxis to be seen.... we eventually did notice some coming from the same general direction, so off we went. And after about 15mins of walking we found one. He took us on a very weird detour, picking up other passengers as well, but we made it to the train station and headed to Chuncheon.

Once in Chuncheon our first mission was to find a hotel to stay in. We took a taxi into Myeon-dong and walked around for a good 30mins before following a sign that said "TEL" in hopes that the "MO" were just broken. Luckily for us this proved to be true and we found ourselves in a very interestingly decorated room at the Drama Hotel!

The ceiling was lighted picture of the sea:filled with neon fish!

After a quick rest and changing of clothes, we headed out to find the Dakgalbi Street. According to the web, this street was filled of Dakgalbi restos (a chicken dish that originated in the area). And once again the web proved true. We quickly settled down in a restaurant and ate to our hearts content. Then bedtime!

The next morning we stopped at Starbucks (because I cannot pass one without stopping... so addicted ^^! Then we taxied it back to the train station and headed on to Gangwon and Gugok Waterfall. Once at the city, following the internet's sound advice, found ourselves a bike rental place, dropped off our overnight bags and headed down the trail. the way there was beyond tiring. I defiantly am planning on joining the gym this week!

At the entrance to the National Park, we dropped of our bags and started hiking. I will let the photos help get across the beauty of this area as words simply cannot....

On our way down we stopped for another Delicious lunch, the mountain bimbibop was local to the area. Then we biked back, dropped off our bikes and headed home. After this wonderful weekend that I shared with Anne, I feel renewed, a new peace with my life here in Korea It really made me realize that I could like in this country, if I could find a job in soccer I could live here for a long time. It is amazing how somewhere can feel like home. After this weekend, I would almost say that part of that is the due to the numerous similarities that Korea has to Washington. A country or state with big bustling cities but nestled in the quiet, peaceful beauty of nature. I dont know if that I would have called myself a nature girl, and I am sure that many people will laugh at that concept, but I cannot deny the peace that comes and the pull that nature has over me. I have started to realize that I need more alone time to think and process and I need to start craving out myself in this big city filled with millions of people because I think that not having dealt with that so far has not allowed me to settle in here and relax as myself. As Beka puts it, she is seeing a side of me that she has never seen, but I like this side of me. So what does that mean? What about Seattle makes me more serious and Seoul make me much more silly? Where do I really stand? Am I just a blend of these two extremes that I take on, does it mean that cities and people have a greater effect on myself and the presentation of myself than I do? Many questions left unanswered for I lack the time to explore them, and when I start so many more present themselves. And so I exist. maybe more trips into nature will help me sort and understand. Until then, time to finish my coffee and do some work in preparation for tomorrows classes.

Museum of Korea and Ice Bar

Well it was a fun day for sure. First we hit up the Korean Museum which contained some amazing pieces. I was fascinated with the section on Buddhist sculptures. It was very interesting seeing how different Asian cultures depicted and understood Buddha and the Bodhisattvas! Funny little story, as we were in the Museum shop looking around at stuff to get this Korean woman approached me and asked "Vanessa Hudgens?" I of course confused just gave her a look, to which she asked where I was from and if I knew High School Musical. "American, and of course I do" being my response. She then goes on to tell me how beautiful I am and say that she and her son thought I was Vanessa and she then asked for a picture of me with him. Talk weirdness. I complied and told her that hopefully he can at least convince his friends that I was really her! We had a good little bonding-joke moment and went on!

After that, we meet up with Anne and explored Hauinde University (I am killing that spelling but opps!) We had an awesome fried rice meal and then went on a very long journey trying to find Sub-Zero, an all ice bar. We were lost for a good hour, until I got their phone number, found a Korean who could speak English and had him call and translate directions for us! We eventually found it after much confusion and boy was it worth it! It basically is a room with only ice, ice cups, ice walls, ice seats, ice sculptures. Included in out entrance fee was a drink and an Eskimo get-up! It was basically cool!

Now am off to bed, hitting up a hopefully awesome shopping area tom.!

Pictures!

Pictures from the past weekends!

All us girls! From Left: Anne, Adriana, Rebekah, Me!

The Boys at WoodStock. From Left: Chris, Sangso, James

Subway Station: World Cup Stadium, totally decked out to Seoul FC!

View of the field

The Crazy fan Section!

The view from outside!

The view from outside of the Museum of Korea!

Museum of Korea

Famous Sculpture of the Pensive Buddha

Pagoda!

Singing the Night Away, Seoul Fc and new friends

So once again it has taken more longer than I wished to write. I find it sometimes difficult to write as spare time and personal time are scarce here, making time to actually think and absorb the days activities difficult. Things just kinda of happen here, experiences are had, enjoyed and passed by due to the lack of down time. I am hoping that this will change once our work schedule returns to normal.

Ok so last week: last Saturday after another LONG week, we all decided just to head to Woodstock for a beer and some down time. Well one beer turned into two bottles of soju and pretty soon we were off to Korean Karaoke. OMG, this has to have been the best thing ever. So as some of you mightn't know, Korean karaoke is different than in the states as you are given your own private room. This means it is just you are your people, in this case it was myself, Beks, Adriana and Hojin (a Korean from our work). And man what a time it was! We were off singing all the great oldies from Journey, to the Spice Girls and Abba. But of course thrown in were our newest Korean favs like Super Junior, NE1, 2pm and others. It was sooo much fun. We were all just singing and dancing and jumping around in our little room, that the prepaid hour went by so fast! Also in the misdt of all this Sangsou dropped by as he and his wife were just returning from something fancy and he wanted to introduce her. SHE IS SO CUTE!

So after this, Sangsou texted for us to come over to Woodstock and join the group so we headed on over. While there we offically meet Chris (one of his friends) FINALLY meet the bar owner and two Americans joined us. It was great times. I am really loving my little circle here, as we soom found out we have meet the nicest man ever in Korea through Sangsou, I feel so safe and cared for knowing what he will go through for us, he is sooo oue older Korean brother its amazing. So that was last weekend. We only had four days at work this week as it is chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving were everyone returns to thier ancesteral homes to eat and pay thier respects to the dead), but considering that we have worked 16/18 days we were all soo tired that at many times one out of the four of us were breaking down. It was a bad week, and of course here was tons more drama with the administration. I think that I would love my job so much more if they were not so divisive, but not much we can do except monitor what we say around them and make sure that they dont cause any unnecessary drama between the four of us.

Sunday we all went to the Seoul FC game. OMG what a great complex. The Stadium is pretty large, but surrounding the feild is a very pretty park complete with ponds, fountains, a great practice field etc. Really awesome. I, of course, bought a scarf! The team is a decent team, prolly wouldn't stand up against the Sounders, some pretty basic skills. There were two moments of brilliance with and very artfully forward pass that split the defence and allowed the forward through, but to no end. The first goal was bounced off the post, the strike than hit the the goal keeper (who couldn't handle it) then very very badly kicked (one of those slow rollers) into the net. OO nice thing tho is that at every goal: FIREWORKS! haha. It was interesting to note though, they have an Eastern European on the team who is a little better than rest (note he is number 10) and he was always pointing out the lack of support of the opposite side of the field which lead to a number of missed opporutities during crosses. But they did win 3-0 so that was a great result!

THE FAN SECTION! O next time we are def sitting over there. They are soo cool! They have this one song where they get in lined groups jumping up and down and going side to side in unioin, then bow to the feild. SOO COOL! haha also it was so interesting as at the end of the game they team walks around like usual thanking each section of fans, but in Korea they also bow to the crowds. So cool! We are def planning on going to the next home game.

So speed up to Thursday night and once again we were at Woodstock. This time around our friend Ann joined us and become much better friends with Chris, another Korean friendwe names "James", the owner, basically our whole little group. It was so much fun just goofing around and letting loose with our Korean/American group dancing and signing like fools! There was also another American group that was at the bar, but we didnt really talk to them....

Friday beks and I headed over to Iteawon, did a little shopping and got some great Thai food! So sorry Michael as I forgot to take pics. But it was great. I had fried rice with this very interesting sauce that was green and VERY spicy, I could only eat very little of the sauce but it added just a great flavor to the dish. O So yummy! Today we are going to Ichon to the National Museum of Korea, a nearby park. Also it is supposed to be "Little Tokyo" so we are gonna try and find some Sushi and hit up a Japanese market and find some food.

Will try to update on Monday after today's and Sundays outings!

love you all, het