Sometimes it is about all the simple things. Nature and scenery. That's what today is about. We planned to go picnic at the waterfall today. We got more than what we asked for. We have a huge waterfall even in Seoul city, on the road. In case u dun get what I am tryin to say, I meant super heavy rain. Haha. So basically our picnic plan is screwed. We pinicked in the car instead. Haha.
We were lucky that the rain stopped round afternoon time. So we headed off to Bukhasan National Park. Here in Seoul all places are crowded. I cannot believe it. Its like u see a mass crowd everwhere u go. Even at national parks. Siao. Here are some pics of us foolin around in the crystal clear water.
We also hike to see the falls. The water here is so clear. It is just amazing. The fact that it is only an hour from Seoul is unbelievable.
The night was spent in a park near the Han River. I truly luv the weahter tonight as it was super coolin. Thanks to the rain in the mornin. The view around the park is just marvellous. Here are some of my favourite shots.
Manage to get up early mornin despite the clubbin last night. Clubs here are super packed. Lots of people, lots of smoke. I had to leave early as I dislike the sandwich feel. Some stayed till 6 in the mornin. I wonder how they get the energy to do so.
Back to the main story. We went to the demilitarised zone (DMZ). It was actually a 4km zone between the North and South Korea where no weapons are allowed.
We first checked out the Imjingak Park.
Next, we headed off to the Dora observatory. Our hopes of seeing the Northen side was crashed due to the bad foggy weather. The humidity here in summer is crazy. Backhome no matter how humid it is, we still get to see far. Over here, u'll just see a smoke screen.
The most interestin part of this trip has to be the 3rd tunnel. It was actually built by North Korea to infiltrate the South. It failed and the South is now using it as a tourist attraction. Ingenius. Save cost and earn money. Haha. We took a pretty slow tram down to the tunnel. Felt like the slowest ever roller coaster. No pics to be posted as they do not allow camera. Sien.
Final stop is the Dora train station. A station where the train goes nowhere. Haha. They built this station waiting for unification. Will unification be better? Or are things better off the way that it is? I wonder.
I found new hangouts. Its already into my second week here in Seoul. Gangnam is the place. Woots. Gotten myself a california fitness membership too. This is gonna be great. I truly dig how vibrant the place is. People people everywhere. Think I am gonna be here most of the weeknights. Mind you it is about an hour bus ride from my hostel. See the two red circle? Still, I dun mind as I loved the atmosphere there. Wahaha. By the way this is how confusing the Korean Metro is. Too many lines.
We went to an small town about an hour from Seoul today. It is called Ichon. Aparently we were told that they will teach us how to make pottery. And the only thing that I could think about is the movie ghost. Hehe.
However, it turned out to be totally different. No spinnin but just shapin' the clay. I feel like I'm thrown into elementary school once again, with play-doh being my best friend. Wahaha. Here is a little picture of what I made. (the whale is made by theresa though).
Woohooo. Went to the beach about 3 hours drive from Seoul. The hold this annual mud festival at Boryeong. Today was actually the last day of the festival so I am expecting a huge crowd. Its gonna be fun.
When we reach there we see people covered in mud. I heard that the mud is good for skin. Being me, I could only think about throwin mud at my friends as soon as we get there. Muahaha.
It turned out that everybody is more crazy than me. Look how dirty we got. Haha. Must wrestling was even more fun. It was like being in a battlefeld. Throwing people and being thrown into a pool of mud had never been so enjoyable. You have to try this for yourselves.
The festival turned out to be so nice. Crowd was good and the slide was even better. I think it is about 3 story high. Did not manage to take a pic on it though. No camera with me.
Really wanna thank all those buddies than planned this out and also not forgettin the drivers. I really had a great time there.
First field trip of the 4 in the summer school. Turned out to be pretty interestin. We first went to the Changdeok Palace. Do no expect me to explain too much bout it. I was busy runin around taking crazy photos. Hehe. Loved the surroundings. Green and cooling. Here are some photos of us.
Nextup was having the ginseng chicken and tea ceremony. Tea ceremony is so complicated. I wonder why people call it enjoyin tea. There are so many steps to making just a small cup of tea. I say get me the tea bag and hot water. Haha
Tryin on the Korean traditional costume was great. We learned that different colours and patterns represents different status. The one that I wore is actually some high officer clothes. But every citizen can wear it during theri marriage. The caligraphy lesson proved that I have no talent in this issue. Well, I'll stick to typewriting.
I caled off the day with a little dinner and shoppin. Lookin forward to the mud festival tomorrow.
First up is the cute transportation card that they use here. I truly dig the style. Its in the size of the handphone deco that we use. This is their version of EZlink, Oyster, or Octopus cards.
Secondly it must be those birthday well wishes that i recieved from all of you guys. Be it the sms or emails, On time or belated.
Next, is this cute little pendant that I got for my birthday from Suz and YJ. It took them hours to design this cute necklace. Isn't it just adorable. Thank you so much.
Finally, is not so little drinking session that we had last night. Thanks to all who had come for the party. It was really fun. (Warning: Korean birthday drink is potent) Will upload the photos once I got them in.
Woke up round eleven today. Went outside to grab lunch with Teresa. Had a really hard time tryin to get food. I couldn't read a single word in Korean. My limited spoken Korean made the matter worse. I lost count how many gestures I used tryin to get just a sandwich and juice for brekafast. I ended up with vege in my sandwich and Banana juice. Stuff that i really hate. Argh. The sandwich tasted good after the discarded the veg though.
Tried to get Suz to go shoppin with me but failed. Irritating. Found out later at night that the batt was low and she was sick. Alright I forgive you. But u owe me a shoppin' trip. Keke.
Decided to join a group of people from the Summer school to shop. However, they all went out already. Poor me have to try to get to the station to meet them. Is about an hour away and I needed to find my way there using Korean signs. Buyin the transportation card was damn funny. The lady in the store was pointin all over the place as I gave a blank look when she tried to explain something to me.
When I finally reached the shoppin area. I realised how crowded it was. The most crowded I've ever seen so far in a normal day. Its like people are gathering to see fireworks on New Year's Eve.
We headed off to the peak of Seoul, Namsan Mountain. The air is so much cooler up there. Did not went up the obsevatory as it cost 8000won (about 8 USD). Been to enough tower from my trip in Canada.
The group photo up there reminds of those time in Calgary. But these photos are now just photos of smiley faces. It lacked the bond, laugther, happiness, tears and hardship and time spent together in Calgary. I still cannot understand why I cannot get over it. Perhaps it is really the best time that I ever had in life. Calgary, I miss you.
An unfinished clip on the last few weeks in Calgary. I miss spending time with all of you guys, my dear friends. I have not gotten over the life there after all this while. Perhaps it is really the best time in my life.
Ok a little recap on my first day in Seoul. Arrived as early as 6 after a short flight from Kota Kinabalu. That places sure changed a lot. Thanks to my cousins for taking me around. Back to Seoul story. It raining whole day. It did not dampen my happy mood at all. Here is the view right outside the university. So vibrant right?
After checkin in the hostel, I took a pretty well-deserved nap. I really luv my hostel room. Its air-conditioned and looks pretty new. They even have a fitness center at the basement. Cool.
Right after i get up, i went to see YJ and Suz. Although we did not meet for only 2 months it seems long. So glad to be able to relive those days in Calgary. Teresa from NY joined us for grocery shoppin'. Poor gal, it seems to me that her buddy is not nice to her at all. I am prayin' hard that I would get a good buddy. But, well I got Suz and YJ so everything will work out fine no matter what. Hehe.
Me and YJ went for a 'Meet the parents' session. Hehe. Its just a dinner at a pretty famous restaurant named Sam Won Garden. I must say that the food there are pretty special. I have never really tasted something like that. The beef, cold noodle, red bean fragrance soup. And guess what? I ata a whole lots of vege today. Amazing isn't it. We tried out food wrapping skills too. The dinner is damn expensive but it is a must try. If you are thinkin that my pocket must be burnt, you are darn wrong. Thanks YJ for the treat. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Muacks.
Just in case Hal-muh-ni is thinkin thanks for the lunch also ya.
