tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23174740614402417372024-03-05T20:11:06.627+00:00The good, the bad and the quirkyAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-83180205525316164232014-11-01T10:20:00.001+00:002014-11-01T10:20:25.619+00:00Happy HalloweenHalloween isn't as big here as in the States, but last night I got dressed up and went out for a friend's birthday. So, here's the professional photo of me and another friend:<br />
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You can't see the full extent of the outfit, but you get the idea. That is as creepy as I get!<br />
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xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-60409542429624822092014-10-30T21:50:00.002+00:002014-10-30T21:52:40.569+00:00That inevitable question...Anyone who stumbles upon my blog, especially anyone who previously read my little ramblings, may wonder where I have been.<br />
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What started as a summer of love last year unfortunately didn't last. Scarily it has taken almost the whole 10 months since things were finally called quits to start to feel like I can write this. I'm not going into details, but I can safely (and sorrowfully) say that I was in love and I didn't want it to end; however looking back, I can see why it did. As someone said to me recently "the wonders of 20:20 hindsight vision". This doesn't mean I am over it, unfortunately I think that shall take more time, but I just wanted to explain my absence.<br />
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I haven't been spending the last year sitting on my arse doing nothing though, maybe I can bring you up to speed with a review of the year as we head towards the last few months of 2014?<br />
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xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-34436525885510196582014-10-30T21:38:00.002+00:002014-10-30T21:38:40.535+00:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken on a recent trip to Wales, at an open air museum near Cardiff to be exact, but it makes me think of Narnia....</td></tr>
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<br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-74132406199793358612013-08-07T07:27:00.002+01:002013-08-07T07:29:28.955+01:00Thank goodness for super glue<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, as I cleaned my glasses shortly after arriving at work, disaster struck!</div>
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There I was, happily cleaning away the grime that seems to accumulate on specs, how does it get there and is all that grime on everyone else's faces instead? And ping! They snapped right in the middle of the bridge!</div>
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See, right down the centre. So, slightly panicked, off I trundled to the local shops to buy some super glue! As I am ever so slightly blind, I decided to try an even more temporary fix and walked to the shops resembling Harry Potter...</div>
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Luckily super glue was found and I now type this whilst wearing those specs. However, I don't think I can rely on the glue to last and I now have the joyous task of glasses shopping. True, this can be fun (at least when you have someone with you to take photos of you when you are too blind to really see what the samples look like on your face) but when it is a reluctant replacement it's not so cool. Here's hoping that Specsavers have some good deals and frames!</div>
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Hope you have a more successful start to your days today.</div>
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P.S. Lots more Lakes photos to come, finally edited them all!</div>
Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-67403190242817483282013-07-30T22:15:00.002+01:002013-07-30T22:15:28.884+01:00Back to the 9-5<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a quick post, a real one to follow, to show you where I went last weekend. The Lake District is stunning! We were blessed with wonderful weather for two days, it rained cats and dogs almost every night but the tent (and it's inhabitants) survived. </div>
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Here is my teaser photo....</div>
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Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Cannot tell you how sad I was to pack up our tent, and how reluctant I was to go to work today. But, it's hump day tomorrow so the weekend is already wiggling it's fingers in our direction.</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-72884718677822451092013-07-25T19:29:00.002+01:002013-07-25T19:30:20.277+01:00I feel like Bridget Jones, well kinda...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow I go on my first "mini-break" with T! I'm so very excited. We are not going to some grand manor however, we are heading north to Cumbria and the Lake District where we shall go camping! </div>
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Looking at my stacks of stuff on my bed, as I decide what to pack into my backpack, it looks vastly different from what Bridget would have packed. Even though we are going with a car and it shall be fairly easy camping, it is still a great stack of practical gear. It is the first time I have really camped since 2008! I am so very excited. I am realising how little I can remember about camping though, so it's probably a good thing it's going to be the easy version with shops within driving distance. Hopefully this will be the first of many such trips to the more wild and beautiful parts of the country.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borrowed from this site http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/ullswater-steamers/ </td></tr>
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I've never been to the Lake District before, but I have wanted to go for YEARS. Did you see the film Miss Potter? That was filmed up there, maybe I'll spot Peter Rabbit sneaking off with someone's salad.</div>
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Wishing you all a most wonderful weekend, keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't rain on us the whole 4 days we're up there!</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-14313547257273898002013-07-10T22:17:00.000+01:002013-07-10T22:17:04.607+01:00Time to slow down? Just a little maybe.<div style="text-align: justify;">
I cannot remember a time when I have been so busy. Okay, I tell a lie. There were times during my time in Seoul when I was crazy busy, but lately it has been nuts. Ever since I met T in fact. </div>
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Don't get me wrong, I adore being busy, I go a bit nuts sat at home, alone, twiddling my thumbs, but I think I need to make a little extra me time here and there. Just the odd day in between seeing friends and seeing T, for me to catch my breath (and help me not be a zombie at work). </div>
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Reading this you probably think I am up late partying every night, ha, I couldn't do that if I tried! I am just a lot busier than I am accustomed to and it's knackering me out a little. I just need that extra evening to catch up with writing letters, looking for decent jobs and reading (to mention but a few things).</div>
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All of the above said, I am the happiest I have been in a long time and I don't want to seem ungrateful for this. I don't like to rely on someone/something else for my happiness, but I can't deny that a certain someone has had a positive impact on my life. I still get restless moments, but it's not the constant urge to be elsewhere that I once had. I've let a few things slip, my correspondence skills of late have been shocking and I'm spending a bit too much money, but on the whole I am so thankful to have met T and to be enjoying the summer with him.</div>
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He goes away on Sunday, a "business" trip to Florida.... I'll miss him, but I can't deny that I am also super excited to go to London and spend a weekend with my girls next week! We are going to see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, I'll post a video so you can have a listen if you have not heard of them. I love any band that let's me say "hey!" or whistle.</div>
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The rest of this week and weekend will be taken up with dinner with a local friend, and then a cinema trip and day with T before he leaves for the U S of A.</div>
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Do you have much planned this weekend? It's not too far away now thankfully, just two working days and then sweet freedom....</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-81253694419881519982013-06-25T19:42:00.000+01:002013-06-25T19:42:32.518+01:00So, change is a good thing right?<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been an age since I last wrote, and rather than gloss over the glaringly obvious I thought I'd give a little insight into why.</div>
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The last two months have been eventful, the last month or so especially. Towards the end of April I, randomly and very unexpectedly, met someone. I nice chap, let's call him T (round of applause if you can guess his name, you do have a clue there). Now, previous to bumping into my friend, and therefore T, that evening I had been planning to return to Asia and teaching English to wee kiddies. I'm not saying that is not still an option for me, and that I don't still miss my Seoul life and friends dearly, but it is on the back-burner for now (what do they say in American shows, "let's put a pin in it").</div>
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So, T came along and we had an epic first date a week or so after we met. I say epic as it lasted 7 hours. For someone, such as myself, who rarely dates I think that is a pretty substantial length of time to spend with someone you've just me. What did we do? We drank coffee, walked, had a beer/cider, ate pub grub, walked some more, had another hot drink, walked and realised the time. I'm not going to go down the soppy route and say "it was love at first sight" and all that fairy tale jazz, but I will say that I don't often meet a boy that I am attracted to and want to spend that much time with.</div>
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What happened next? We waited two days and had another date. Then a few days later, we had another. It's been going on for just over two months now. We're still getting to know each other and, for me, this is pretty momentous stuff. In fact, you could say it is the longest I have ever dated anyone, and you would be correct. There have been flames and there have been mistakes, but this seems worth giving a little time to. So, I decided that I will stick around Cambridge a while longer and see where the White Rabbit takes me as we wander down the rabbit hole.</div>
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The last few months have also seen some emotional times. My grandad, who had been unwell for quite some time, suddenly took a turn for the worse. So I took two trips to the Netherlands to visit my family. The first time I went to say goodbye to my grandad face to face, the second it was to say goodbye to him with my family. It was and is terribly sad, but he was ready to go and it was better for him to leave as he is now at peace. I'll always love my grandad.</div>
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There was also a hen party... Now I know that being British will, no matter how much you may resist, lead you to envisage a drunken affair with "L" plates, dodgy accessories, slimy naked men and all sorts of absurdities, and kudos to you if that is what you may yourself want to do to say goodbye to single life, but I am afraid I must disappoint you. However, do not let that make you think that it wasn't a marvellous event! It was quite possibly the best, most well planned and thought through, quirkiest and most vintage themed fantastic day possible! I will most definitely have to take the time to post some photos for you to see, at which point I will tell you a few more details about it. For now, I will tease you with a photograph of myself to give you a taste of the mood of the event (note the teacup...).</div>
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Other happenings over the last two months include, in no particular order and apologies if I am repeating myself: seeing Noah and the Whale live in London, visiting the Harry Potter studio tour (now I know I owe you photos of that day), hanging out with my darling cousin, doing a crazy 24 mile bike ride to Ely and back, going to the cinema about 3 times, finishing season 3 of Game of Thrones, meeting my dad in London for a tasty lunch, watching Eurovision, drinking with my little sister, a trip to Wales and spending a weekend camping, dancing, singing, eating and running around the countryside (whilst twirling around like Maria as we ran down a hill). It has been eventful to say the least. </div>
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Currently, I am packing up my room as I have to leave my beautiful riverside abode, sigh, and move to a new room/house. Unfortunately my landlord wants to sell his house, how rude, and so I will be moving into a new place. It was a slightly rushed house hunt and my options were not what they could have been. Hopefully it will all work out okay in the end. Luckily for me, my father and stepmother are visiting this weekend. They have a big car... It will, of course, be fantastic to see them in Cambridge again and I am looking forward to a nice weekend together doing nothing of much importance but having fun at the same time.</div>
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Right, that sees me stopping for now. I have missed writing here, I think it is soothing for the soul to explore things by writing them down. How are you all? Can you forgive me for my long absence or will you shun me like a naughty child being given a time out? I hope that it's the former, but if it is the latter then I hope to slowly win you over once more.</div>
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Bis bald my lovelies.</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-90440704174962027922013-05-17T16:36:00.001+01:002013-05-17T16:36:13.654+01:00The weekend has FINALLY arrived<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week has been the longest week in ages. It's probably because, for one reason or another, it's the first full week I've worked in a long time. Either way, I am extremely grateful that it is Friday. I am hopping over the Channel to visit family this weekend, all a tad last minute and I will explain at some point. Rather glad to be seeing my family again, has been 5 months since I saw most of the cloggies.</div>
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Wishing you a pleasant weekend, whatever you may be up to. Stay dry and warm, the weather has gone tits up lately (excuse my language but it's really annoying me).</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-86431991278979412462013-05-15T07:23:00.001+01:002013-05-15T07:23:26.056+01:00If you like pretty trinkets raise your hand<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a quick one to promote a give away that the lovely Nikki at <a href="http://thelittlenordiccabin.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Little Nordic Cabin </a>is running. Up for grabs are some very cute, handmade hair grips. So if you want something girly to slide into your luscious locks, and fancy meandering through her tales of life and all things Nordic, why not take a quick peek at her blog?</div>
Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-12202631575572557152013-05-14T19:06:00.000+01:002013-05-14T19:06:00.088+01:00The classic story of girl meets boy...<div style="text-align: justify;">
On this rainy afternoon, you could almost be forgiven for thinking that it was autumn. But then you take a second look and notice that everything is green and lush. Is this some weird dimension where the seasons are reversed? No, it is England. It is mid May and today it is cold and rainy, like it has been most of the last week and looks set to be the rest of this week as well. I know it is a cliché that we British always talk about the weather, but when it's this shite you really do!</div>
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Now, I guess you may be wondering about the title of this post? It explains my long absence, to some extent, and pretty much gives an insight into the last few weeks. Yes, I met a guy, as always happens at the most inconvenient times in life (for example when I was plotting my escape from this rain drenched country). It's early days yet, but dating is a rarity in my life and it's all very exciting, even Bridget Jones-esque at times!</div>
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So the boy suddenly popping up, and generally a very busy social life intermingled with the usual bouts of sleeplessness, have meant that blogging has taken an unfortunate back seat the last few weeks. This is something I hope to start remedying very soon as I miss you all, and I have SO many photos from Harry Potter to show you!</div>
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For now, I just want to apologise for falling off the grid and say that I hope you are experiencing real summer-like weather wherever you are. Are you well?</div>
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Bis bald.</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-15415259020721043212013-05-01T07:57:00.001+01:002013-05-01T07:57:34.960+01:00She lives!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just wanted to pop a quick note on here to say that I am alive and I will be returning (maybe triumphantly) soon! Something has been occupying my time lately (nothing bad so worry not), but I miss you guys and hope to get back to regular posts soon.</div>
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One post that will surely be happening will be about my trip to the <a href="http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/" target="_blank">WB Harry Potter Studio Tour</a> in Watford England (near London)! It was WIZARD!</div>
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Hope you are all well and that spring is making it's presence felt wherever you are, I am loving the light mornings and evenings.</div>
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Bis bald.</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-89348679648461373732013-04-21T11:09:00.000+01:002013-04-21T11:09:48.587+01:00Excuses excuses...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, I know, it's been over a week now since I last posted for the A-Z challenge, I will finish it and I will catch up. Whether this happens within the time frame it was supposed to is another thing though. I have a list of all the topics I was thinking of using, just to prove that it was no spur of the moment decision to participate.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QxLLNy2NdK8f1xq_w_6V4DsbeMrvXXUafaBH77Ore3oNZBmYPcoabFFql-oRaIBq_ye3mO9pod2i6euprdnfAHRZgeoJIkC0KCaKCHOu4U2eJuMHCJJd9Vy4Kr5ofYmUFpdLzS8UXpo/s400/21+Apr+2013+11:02:58.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See.</td></tr>
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My reasons for being slack? Having an actual regular social life for the first time in a long time (since returning from ROK) and exploring my options for the next step in this crazy thing called life. I'm no sudden decision girl. My decisions may seem obscure and out of the blue but they have rarely been made without extensive thought and analysis. I say rarely, there are always exceptions to rules. But to give you an example, it took me 2 years of wondering and thinking to decide to brave going to Korea...</div>
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Hope you are all well, super duper sunny here. I think it may be safe to say that spring has finally arrived, long may it stay. Have a great rest of your weekend and see you here soon for posts on Jeju Island, K Pop (or Kimchi), Lantern festivals (another one because they are pretty), Myeongdong, and many more (namely the rest of the alphabet).</div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-47207029564641139502013-04-15T07:11:00.001+01:002013-04-15T07:11:07.990+01:00A-Z delayGosh, another weekend and another visit from one of my best friends! I had company Friday until Sunday, so another few days of the A-Z to catch up on (soon as I can). <br />
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We had sunshine here, yesterday was gorgeous and even the wind was mild. It was such a nice change and good for the soul. <br />
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I had an excellent weekend, I hope you did too.<br />
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Bis bald.<br />
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xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-52922118633330092112013-04-10T20:53:00.001+01:002013-04-10T20:57:22.852+01:00I is for...Itaewon.<br />
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The biggest foreigner district in Seoul, Itaewon is located right next to one of the biggest US army bases in Korea. It is the best place to find foreign food, both restaurants and shops. It has a huge expat community, not just English teachers but people from all over the globe. I found it a little dodgy at night time, although you can find real cider at the Irish pub there...<br />
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Here is a glorious song about Itaewon:<br />
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<br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-11681636836103217462013-04-10T20:40:00.001+01:002013-04-10T20:40:45.226+01:00H is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hongdae</div>
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It had to be really. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongdae_area" target="_blank">Hongdae</a> is the area I lived in for a year, and possibly THE biggest party district in Seoul. I know, Hongdae + Abi/Me are not a natural sounding fit, but the area has a lot to offer other than drunkards. I moved there because the hagwon (private school) I worked in was in an area called Sinchon, just one stop on the subway, 5/10 minutes by bus or a 15/20 minute walk away and our apartment building was in Hongdae.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXrjzvgPi1KQZxJeyLOPRv4qy9rgfqed1zFR5QTc6gRLmyASNUi0FLL3kc_vj573UV-WdSpFPivGz80615Gzq-DMxlVFcD920T_JJR4ilZW2an7Zc-kLlb9bbUbVegOgHUQ6qRMuTmkY/s1600/13th+March+Sun+%2528116%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXrjzvgPi1KQZxJeyLOPRv4qy9rgfqed1zFR5QTc6gRLmyASNUi0FLL3kc_vj573UV-WdSpFPivGz80615Gzq-DMxlVFcD920T_JJR4ilZW2an7Zc-kLlb9bbUbVegOgHUQ6qRMuTmkY/s400/13th+March+Sun+%2528116%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hongik university.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At first I thought Hongdae was loud, dirty and busy. I left loving it, but still thinking it was loud, dirty and busy. It is a bonkers area to live in, Seoul is a city that NEVER sleeps, I mean never ever. I would sometimes go for a run at 7am and I would pass people going home from the night before. Living in that area was pretty interesting, and extremely convenient as it is super central (and not far from the river). I'm not a big one for night life, but I still found things to love about the area.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cCI6EPvDFzn0ghgeXouUxlj2iZrcoO9t_CMA3gedT9sK-bb9gpxsb0pLpD8123OunUGL5svO_a_9C8oZ3pRAWl_XJj9SW5678_y94QqS0fUU5toTloRTz5MGtt5HUg9MhD7pgUc4zbs/s1600/13th+March+Sun+%2528118%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cCI6EPvDFzn0ghgeXouUxlj2iZrcoO9t_CMA3gedT9sK-bb9gpxsb0pLpD8123OunUGL5svO_a_9C8oZ3pRAWl_XJj9SW5678_y94QqS0fUU5toTloRTz5MGtt5HUg9MhD7pgUc4zbs/s400/13th+March+Sun+%2528118%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hello Kitty Cafe.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUvk_KCNPJrMHUDQ1B-cnG7jI_bXQa4FIAbPQk6y8Fe7YtbbGVMvHrhdQPdNAlsjxNtQPC0IqrmYHB5guzdMNLVOKZ2tuF-cFjpMqTSXB4d3QjHBdRGD-6GW38NHu82U8-T89bOZ2bIw/s1600/25th+March+Fri+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUvk_KCNPJrMHUDQ1B-cnG7jI_bXQa4FIAbPQk6y8Fe7YtbbGVMvHrhdQPdNAlsjxNtQPC0IqrmYHB5guzdMNLVOKZ2tuF-cFjpMqTSXB4d3QjHBdRGD-6GW38NHu82U8-T89bOZ2bIw/s400/25th+March+Fri+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall selling random cute things.</td></tr>
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On a Saturday morning you will find a craft fair in the "playground", this hosts a collection of local <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309690" target="_blank">artists</a> selling their wares. They are usually up to a pretty high standard too. The area is named
Hongdae because of the local arts university Hongik University. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-_yJok5CHxA8O1ym6atDoj8s6Ij2N2woz64PLtDIvKerfjgI4NwodOvxIC_arWPcSrPr97lUZFQ2kI9FnHs7xk8qLl5j12XvTrGao6TwIwQszkSHCwm6G8aiy85gegaNB5QXiGQ536s/s1600/7th+Oct+Fri+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-_yJok5CHxA8O1ym6atDoj8s6Ij2N2woz64PLtDIvKerfjgI4NwodOvxIC_arWPcSrPr97lUZFQ2kI9FnHs7xk8qLl5j12XvTrGao6TwIwQszkSHCwm6G8aiy85gegaNB5QXiGQ536s/s400/7th+Oct+Fri+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free gig inside a clothes store.</td></tr>
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The playground becomes a completely different place at night, then it is a meeting ground, a place to hang out and buy a dodgy street cocktail or to watch buskers. There is also an older guy that sells <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makgeolli" target="_blank">makgeolli</a> (Korean fermented rice wine, aquired taste but I found it delicious), he is literally called the Makgeolli man and is known to any regulars of the area (google him for a photo).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wygml4VaRlIQuFrHJSTBCcs2gNORJuw4V1kVxNsMVnMMwuPRUYSGwV-ydk4QcgE9Zse_CjdkkqGo30uIoBAVQhqizC_1DnYvAdcy-xhUU7bua0JpbGLGH5_XTyID39jAykEiUg_gmY/s1600/10th+March+Thur+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wygml4VaRlIQuFrHJSTBCcs2gNORJuw4V1kVxNsMVnMMwuPRUYSGwV-ydk4QcgE9Zse_CjdkkqGo30uIoBAVQhqizC_1DnYvAdcy-xhUU7bua0JpbGLGH5_XTyID39jAykEiUg_gmY/s400/10th+March+Thur+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local mart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has a multitude of restaurants, cute cafes, bars and clubs. A gazillion fashionable shops selling oversized jumpers and little skirts, stalls selling funky mobile phone covers every hundred yards and a lot of street performers. It is also down the road from the area of Hapjeong, this is also a nice area but I didn't get to explore it enough before leaving.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd8KevfSYp1IS53bK_koOKNT7IqfAD8xo203FZ8au_yZqeV7cd0tteFFWp_UfOchSlqfME5-nkNNFz-Rob4vXgNAR7XfJ0nv2QkG0H3Kga3Q87Vm8j6ZUJGSNf1zKfC1ec3jETmw_gXY/s1600/13th+March+Sun+%2528117%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd8KevfSYp1IS53bK_koOKNT7IqfAD8xo203FZ8au_yZqeV7cd0tteFFWp_UfOchSlqfME5-nkNNFz-Rob4vXgNAR7XfJ0nv2QkG0H3Kga3Q87Vm8j6ZUJGSNf1zKfC1ec3jETmw_gXY/s400/13th+March+Sun+%2528117%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buskers.</td></tr>
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I'm going to pop a collection of photos taken in Hongdae down below. There's one thing to be said for Hongdae, you'll always see something interesting...<br />
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-51795777637141830732013-04-09T21:02:00.001+01:002013-04-09T21:02:12.535+01:00G is for...Gangnam style<br />
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I didn't want to do this to you all, as I am sure you have had enough of Psy and his antics, but I want to catch up with my A-Z and this is the easy option for G.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9bZkp7q19f0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />But, whilst on the topic of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangnam_District" target="_blank">Gangnam</a>, take a look <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/20/the-kimchi-ite-a-stroll-through-the-infamous-gangnam/1#c35807822" target="_blank">here</a> for a description of this affluent area south of the river in Seoul.Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-31539000970621917802013-04-09T19:28:00.001+01:002013-04-09T19:28:24.515+01:00F is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I really struggled with this one, there aren't really places or things starting with this letter. Apart from a restaurant, for example <a href="http://www.englishspectrum.com/korea-blog/frypan-chicken-redux-deliciousness-piled-up-1845.html" target="_blank">Fry Pan</a> (best fried chicken in Seoul), or using my friend's idea of Face and discussing the crazy cosmetics industry in Korea I've been coming up clueless. I might hit upon the latter in another post though. A look at the index of my <a href="http://www.roughguides.com/shop/rough-guide-korea/book/" target="_blank">Rough Guide to Korea</a> just proved it, there are no places beginning with F! It is not a sound you hear in Hangul. </div>
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Until about two seconds ago I was going to go with Fitness and discuss how outdoor gyms are really popular in Korea (and how old people do not just sit down and became immobile, they work out). But then I spotted Fortress in the index and thought about a day trip I took with my friend to the fortress at Suwon.</div>
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So, today, <b>F is for Fortress</b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GS2VQT4oEnV88fp3MSw99VvbS2Pzjj7Mjo0QfmU-Q7dwIMx8HvyhJBMDmGN9iex20ONmZzVSN81TeJLoNtwqEJe-yU4nuEAQSa9W7D_9kZi-_sM0mrc31YVh4CbwUQ-v9PEaXXP1cAo/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GS2VQT4oEnV88fp3MSw99VvbS2Pzjj7Mjo0QfmU-Q7dwIMx8HvyhJBMDmGN9iex20ONmZzVSN81TeJLoNtwqEJe-yU4nuEAQSa9W7D_9kZi-_sM0mrc31YVh4CbwUQ-v9PEaXXP1cAo/s640/IMG_0494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Located just an hour or so south of Central Seoul is the city of Suwon. It's been a little swallowed up by the ever growing Seoul, but it is a city in it's own right rather than just a satellite city built to house workers for the capital (although some of these are quite nice too). </div>
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<a href="http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264204" target="_blank">Hwaseong fortress</a> is a UNESCO-listed fortress at the centre of Suwon. It was completed in 1796, built on the orders of King Jeongjo (an important ruler from the Joseon dynasty) to house the remains of his father, Prince Sado. Sadly for poor Prince Sado, he never made it to the throne, instead meeting his doom by the hands of his father, King Yeongjo, at Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul (thank you to the Rough Guide, 2008).</div>
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I went there with my friend Jenny, she popped by to visit me on her way home from Australia (via Korea and Hong Kong) and we had a great 10 days together. Unfortunately, I had to work during her visit, but she's a well seasoned traveller and soon had both her solo days and our together days and evenings planned. We popped down to Suwon one weekend and had a walk down to the fortress, we didn't get to see much of the rest of the city as we had a deadline to meet a friend of mine at the <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=819919" target="_blank">Art Park</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anyang,_Gyeonggi" target="_blank">Anyang</a>, but what we saw was nice. It was one of those days where nothing quite goes to plan, as is often the case with us, but it was a good day none the less (and hot because it was August).</div>
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We arrived at the train station and followed signs and the map in my Lonely Planet through the town and to the fortress. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRnA4S3kin9Xi5hJ5huOOh0G44NoIlVJX96eOIXolrvmyQKKV7IaHjNKX6wIgdcHs9eE664yTJI55w1JgwCq7s-tDJ3VhUT3xF7M0ABt30N2DXBPssXp6c3UX7dcc_oOQj1leX3w-lks/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRnA4S3kin9Xi5hJ5huOOh0G44NoIlVJX96eOIXolrvmyQKKV7IaHjNKX6wIgdcHs9eE664yTJI55w1JgwCq7s-tDJ3VhUT3xF7M0ABt30N2DXBPssXp6c3UX7dcc_oOQj1leX3w-lks/s640/IMG_0486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we knew for certain that we were heading in the right direction.</td></tr>
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It's free to enter and the thing to do is walk the wall. As we followed it round we came to a gift shop, restaurant and place to buy tickets for the little dragon trolley that you can ride up and down the hillier part of the wall. Korea has it's moments that leave me perplexed and we had one of them that day. There was a possibility that it was going to rain, so they had decided to stop running the dragon trolley. This is fine, and I agree that it was a typical humid summer day, but later we saw the dragon trolley packed with people enjoying the ride! </div>
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Ah well, it was still fun to follow the wall. At one point it disappears and you walk through the town trying to find the next segment, in fact the centre of the fortress is no longer really there and instead it now surrounds regular concrete buildings. Every now and then you come across something resembling the original centre, the odd pagoda or green patch of grass, but the city has definitely grown up around this old relic. </div>
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The whole wall stretches for 5.7km so it's a walk-able distance and takes a little while if you want to stop and look at things. It winds around quite a bit. </div>
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There's a big Buddha statue and a small former palace you can see as well. </div>
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When you get to the higher ground there is a big bell that you can pay to "gong", you pay tuppence to do so, I think it was 1,000 won for 3 goes, but it's quite fun. Apparently, it's one gong for your parents, one for a healthy, harmonious family, and one for whatever you desire (Rough Guide). All in all, it was a great day trip.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazy day in the city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something childishly thrilling about ringing a big bell.</td></tr>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-53107362072047994652013-04-07T10:38:00.000+01:002013-04-07T10:38:09.823+01:00Normal A-Z service will resume shortly.Just wanted to pop on and say hello! Hope it is as sunny for you as it is for me today. So excited by this gorgeous, and long awaited, spring-like weather! So excited that I completely ran out of time to write my F post yesterday, but worry not I have finally thought of my topic. It will be a little later yet though, my friend is visiting me and I have to hurry up and get ready to go meet her. Super exciting to have a visitor, I even baked a cake!<br />
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Yesterday I got distracted by sunshine, impromptu shopping (naughty naughty) and playing Cranium at a pub with my housemate and her friends (I was the token Brit and knew maybe 2 answers to the all the British related factual questions, patriotic fail).<br />
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Have a super day and bis bald.<br />
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xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-74780392367330230682013-04-05T19:06:00.001+01:002013-04-05T19:06:47.944+01:00E is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eating.</div>
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Today I am a little at a loss of what to write about, so I am cheating and using my housemate's idea of a post about food. So, as it has been a long time now and I don't have anyone to help me name everything, here is a collection of photos of just some of the food I ate in Korea. I quickly picked up the habit of taking photos of almost every meal I ate out, firstly because it was all new, interesting and delicious, secondly because that is what Koreans seem to do! It is one of the things you quickly notice, they use the cameras on their smart phones and take photos of food, or just of themselves. Seriously, I am not kidding. Take a look at <a href="http://www.krmr.com/blog/2013/4/4/selfie-city" target="_blank">this</a> blog, there's a post all about the self-photo phenomenon (I just wanted to use that word).</div>
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For now, here are some (partly labelled) photos of Korean food...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EMvmlTXgNA5em71E1_8sFmed-4dgBqkeFvoWKe2LvbS3P0qploxrNbmGor7BX6KTmpk6JPtLaRF5WkQ_CD8ge1XORvHIu_s5pGVzS5r2lIA8irVMQmoEL59n2LGKSXwGvdVZdtHMYlc/s1600/12th+March+Sat+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EMvmlTXgNA5em71E1_8sFmed-4dgBqkeFvoWKe2LvbS3P0qploxrNbmGor7BX6KTmpk6JPtLaRF5WkQ_CD8ge1XORvHIu_s5pGVzS5r2lIA8irVMQmoEL59n2LGKSXwGvdVZdtHMYlc/s640/12th+March+Sat+(29).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21cm ice creams in Myeongdong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3NyOULtrsiBz-eFGD6jnQUMTIj38xEppzBj3FZMpI5rzRAVjAMVaYLZfqD99G17ngczmQhKHTHmpd9Z9TtxJuzYMLwGud1N_YX-zgFDL8Udd5eZsFnk58GSMsmrjQHt__HDHvzArRSs/s1600/15th+April+Fri+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3NyOULtrsiBz-eFGD6jnQUMTIj38xEppzBj3FZMpI5rzRAVjAMVaYLZfqD99G17ngczmQhKHTHmpd9Z9TtxJuzYMLwGud1N_YX-zgFDL8Udd5eZsFnk58GSMsmrjQHt__HDHvzArRSs/s640/15th+April+Fri+(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-cooking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrwbsEGI8E05d7yw5WRZp1KCQqXqwkj8iMmS6HhwNBkyFxzl34AcN9ZHXaTwjvxBrFSAtP3kKKwBCXm8T8ZcVK2qDBUJndDetRlkvdPdsLPP1mnao1ci-OJjtC7rat4s-o61jaLhRNpI/s1600/15th+May+Sun+(52)+Gwanaksan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrwbsEGI8E05d7yw5WRZp1KCQqXqwkj8iMmS6HhwNBkyFxzl34AcN9ZHXaTwjvxBrFSAtP3kKKwBCXm8T8ZcVK2qDBUJndDetRlkvdPdsLPP1mnao1ci-OJjtC7rat4s-o61jaLhRNpI/s640/15th+May+Sun+(52)+Gwanaksan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean style BBQ, delicious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz1OVxgOzd8CDDFcwpV4kuxomzddIB3zUFBAcFSsK76IkDeUQ1b_lldaaTvzHRybNfIs46tDg_uSXJXMBtOoZ5MCiCkKvgNyLWpsMWyObY2QBxuz2rSwEleEwhbwEgVgT77rgaeCXtc4/s1600/19th+Feb+Sun+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz1OVxgOzd8CDDFcwpV4kuxomzddIB3zUFBAcFSsK76IkDeUQ1b_lldaaTvzHRybNfIs46tDg_uSXJXMBtOoZ5MCiCkKvgNyLWpsMWyObY2QBxuz2rSwEleEwhbwEgVgT77rgaeCXtc4/s640/19th+Feb+Sun+(16).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Korean side dishes, you order one thing and get several side dishes free of charge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmATEvNm0FHsS2dkElIQh1NiU_uyKgLwEH8iuRm7aLABgQIfyQT8k7CaIRHpdifbWa-zJYE2Tl7-bWkcEVI2tJzBRwXXUiWGeKgID5MZQuFzndo0by_CYIXhTFIbRS7RYAjAoLrNNY4Q/s1600/19th+Feb+Sun+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmATEvNm0FHsS2dkElIQh1NiU_uyKgLwEH8iuRm7aLABgQIfyQT8k7CaIRHpdifbWa-zJYE2Tl7-bWkcEVI2tJzBRwXXUiWGeKgID5MZQuFzndo0by_CYIXhTFIbRS7RYAjAoLrNNY4Q/s640/19th+Feb+Sun+(17).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if you go to the right place, you can get this many side dishes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGTZvtOFCi_kmCK9hyWDP57HeEmay9StOYLNI0IKJ0utAKcdyv8n95VQlzw93s67PiREuCF3nUVh_oZiGNMtQprJ3sdD6zF9_ODfdZ8Vho7lEThDfyQmjcsMfRc9lqlw9a49h8OFPU_g/s1600/1st+Oct+Sat+(108).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGTZvtOFCi_kmCK9hyWDP57HeEmay9StOYLNI0IKJ0utAKcdyv8n95VQlzw93s67PiREuCF3nUVh_oZiGNMtQprJ3sdD6zF9_ODfdZ8Vho7lEThDfyQmjcsMfRc9lqlw9a49h8OFPU_g/s640/1st+Oct+Sat+(108).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of jjigae (soup), I think it's bean curd jjigae and super tasty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEcumpsaGjeLvYUG0HcVXa0lQzN8e2dG-5sOtvLc01zEtKF9qom2ejspkp9ouoy8zVxW1hTEhdZrPiA8Og7xnimKKgeEb9besXi-fV9hdyImCxop673vZJu3y4t8gb00lN966Pjk0sXg/s1600/21st+April+Thur+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEcumpsaGjeLvYUG0HcVXa0lQzN8e2dG-5sOtvLc01zEtKF9qom2ejspkp9ouoy8zVxW1hTEhdZrPiA8Og7xnimKKgeEb9besXi-fV9hdyImCxop673vZJu3y4t8gb00lN966Pjk0sXg/s640/21st+April+Thur+(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They eat a lot of steamed sweet potatoes, so simple yet delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pNmYPF8EBVhLDyueJYkcdpjGPbSzjgFDbA3RMlx0iVSwBzGcTJsG4JO5MRQVcA7QZH3kWWIiN02ijcMvpIbnt9nnG7wImH8KKQzPYuzJWxsP0R5LSnZeGUULaKdIdTG0d9ZJTuKpy9k/s1600/22nd+Jan+Sun+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pNmYPF8EBVhLDyueJYkcdpjGPbSzjgFDbA3RMlx0iVSwBzGcTJsG4JO5MRQVcA7QZH3kWWIiN02ijcMvpIbnt9nnG7wImH8KKQzPYuzJWxsP0R5LSnZeGUULaKdIdTG0d9ZJTuKpy9k/s640/22nd+Jan+Sun+(11).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried squid?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-uqYjLUo2Olt0MZHb2SdFbyewzGh2q5HnYcswD5PRENwEHLVKxIX5hLgYOW7cwPN54aOQXBvj0vlGmFW0og5dCP7YRo7fy2Ynqq8qpKZPSrrCTZSP5fUgJobtpKO7JOAvYkDKSmsW2M/s1600/27th+March+Sun+(76).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-uqYjLUo2Olt0MZHb2SdFbyewzGh2q5HnYcswD5PRENwEHLVKxIX5hLgYOW7cwPN54aOQXBvj0vlGmFW0og5dCP7YRo7fy2Ynqq8qpKZPSrrCTZSP5fUgJobtpKO7JOAvYkDKSmsW2M/s640/27th+March+Sun+(76).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice porridge, very wholesome and warming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKUOfnLMD2VnDLsNFsIrYh2k6KaLqoXY396UCl181T-hqdvKxWqYruG388tLsABMHyhkZMvez0cWgwAhddHG2UN_cOoW6cM4cSxXP6XNgTyJRccCxKJPaslIcs5lqouKRNKnl5z9-BoA/s1600/29th+Jan+Sun+(35).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKUOfnLMD2VnDLsNFsIrYh2k6KaLqoXY396UCl181T-hqdvKxWqYruG388tLsABMHyhkZMvez0cWgwAhddHG2UN_cOoW6cM4cSxXP6XNgTyJRccCxKJPaslIcs5lqouKRNKnl5z9-BoA/s640/29th+Jan+Sun+(35).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrible photo, but these red bean stuffed fish HAD to be included.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt8XrOyFKELoN-97fMJ3EaGL5jE79k2z1OFz_Osz-0wKQ0vJhcqXSZQ9XmJ7JuRT-TnUlaLsYp1KYEPcExaqBfr7Vv4-n499Oyzmn0zR7pLgjFwx5RE20YhyphenhyphenaRQi6FupPZLFy9rthp8w/s1600/28th+June+Tues+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt8XrOyFKELoN-97fMJ3EaGL5jE79k2z1OFz_Osz-0wKQ0vJhcqXSZQ9XmJ7JuRT-TnUlaLsYp1KYEPcExaqBfr7Vv4-n499Oyzmn0zR7pLgjFwx5RE20YhyphenhyphenaRQi6FupPZLFy9rthp8w/s640/28th+June+Tues+(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy pork served with rice and leaves to eat them with (you put the meat and rice in the leaves).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfch-q4Gy1zuACDtJfIBiaLmgqhIdBd2ci0U-chjiUJfLnq4axdPiUEjK9YHMogEP4Nmt5q_RQpgjOg5x_z4vpYyg3t_R56iW9C1I35wZzLqnu4jSDlhK9pzYdRybWguj0lk27RhpDtU/s1600/29th+March+Tues+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfch-q4Gy1zuACDtJfIBiaLmgqhIdBd2ci0U-chjiUJfLnq4axdPiUEjK9YHMogEP4Nmt5q_RQpgjOg5x_z4vpYyg3t_R56iW9C1I35wZzLqnu4jSDlhK9pzYdRybWguj0lk27RhpDtU/s640/29th+March+Tues+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginseng chicken soup, that whole chicken (stuffed with rice) was all for me. Classic summer dish, believe it or not, as it gives you lots of energy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPYBiBM6N_57CY3laE0Ql3z0EQt_YSdbbcaXegHM-tPjlKw6qkHpqjmDuJ_Yf4GH8q5LurY2419ChPmLfJywfbwV9_tk5HZPkfbLPc24R4C4n7IEzmm4wcyvzBRZgSVwuh3cgLnqbuTg/s1600/2nd+April+Sat+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPYBiBM6N_57CY3laE0Ql3z0EQt_YSdbbcaXegHM-tPjlKw6qkHpqjmDuJ_Yf4GH8q5LurY2419ChPmLfJywfbwV9_tk5HZPkfbLPc24R4C4n7IEzmm4wcyvzBRZgSVwuh3cgLnqbuTg/s640/2nd+April+Sat+(15).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice noodle fried dumplings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5NzqLskRRNnfqtlTJPxSzefYYwRdhTf5sAOA_zxR7U5l_ggl8QLhhnA-zetfqavx3iILTXw-v4z06-wBdNtFoQ90uB0LupLEaMaNTMDg8IgN3GwGCj-P3_csH8kLvyo2BoMkIglaq5c/s1600/2nd+July+Sat+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5NzqLskRRNnfqtlTJPxSzefYYwRdhTf5sAOA_zxR7U5l_ggl8QLhhnA-zetfqavx3iILTXw-v4z06-wBdNtFoQ90uB0LupLEaMaNTMDg8IgN3GwGCj-P3_csH8kLvyo2BoMkIglaq5c/s640/2nd+July+Sat+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think this was called jimdak, and those scissors you see in the top left corner are used to cut up the noodles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs_aLAaI1fF1J8c-8cKpc0MIKpfxeMRzaE-8xJNv2Tie2MAOcpJTm5pAn_Y934umrE-m0UEFZpqc7zXS-Eunf_UW2sUgRlm4E-x3ubd5V21zo7JPntdUjocre_1xicXEBvdyxYP_SmDw/s1600/2nd+Mar+Fri+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs_aLAaI1fF1J8c-8cKpc0MIKpfxeMRzaE-8xJNv2Tie2MAOcpJTm5pAn_Y934umrE-m0UEFZpqc7zXS-Eunf_UW2sUgRlm4E-x3ubd5V21zo7JPntdUjocre_1xicXEBvdyxYP_SmDw/s640/2nd+Mar+Fri+(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More BBQ, complete with egg ring omelette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-yi20AyFYME51qKKD-vbV6jCJIdgVZR8F4HQF5BJVBN3bqrCAWUQOvlPVUZHpwI1yFtplU9NTi2ed_viHDutuRq0iRSkxhOuzSnl73LPARPy8Er_lUeBdFn4V0KltCI_YGDgVYFsx5M/s1600/2nd+Oct+Sun+(86)+Sokcho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-yi20AyFYME51qKKD-vbV6jCJIdgVZR8F4HQF5BJVBN3bqrCAWUQOvlPVUZHpwI1yFtplU9NTi2ed_viHDutuRq0iRSkxhOuzSnl73LPARPy8Er_lUeBdFn4V0KltCI_YGDgVYFsx5M/s640/2nd+Oct+Sun+(86)+Sokcho.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kimbap, Korean version of sushi (California roll style) preparation station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qBlDo5eBSPbR1jfulMIeOpER4tAm8vEa88Gx6hVY0k0WDfkq166GmnzWK0MmqVf3ZvDHXk4BYp-mtpCebVIZF7nrKWd9Lk8EcikHIoZCbNurEs2enFFESfk_tYSCEqXWW96g4j6ZuII/s1600/30th+June+Thur+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qBlDo5eBSPbR1jfulMIeOpER4tAm8vEa88Gx6hVY0k0WDfkq166GmnzWK0MmqVf3ZvDHXk4BYp-mtpCebVIZF7nrKWd9Lk8EcikHIoZCbNurEs2enFFESfk_tYSCEqXWW96g4j6ZuII/s640/30th+June+Thur+(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was from a soup, beef back bone or something similar. It was super tasty but fiddly as you had to take the meat off of the bone (with chopsticks).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNX7dJ2tbB4VCj7kmv5km89YQZdBjeKsiPwBsZJKz8fSo9ktOYf5gAYF7D0aCLzCl4VEuHwZv7NRYortGjhhqkoqJeFdjiWwt_OqIYeBdo8TMDqiJUlU3Lm9gJgrzmpGfZWmgLVRBGOg/s1600/3rd+Mar+Sat+(28).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNX7dJ2tbB4VCj7kmv5km89YQZdBjeKsiPwBsZJKz8fSo9ktOYf5gAYF7D0aCLzCl4VEuHwZv7NRYortGjhhqkoqJeFdjiWwt_OqIYeBdo8TMDqiJUlU3Lm9gJgrzmpGfZWmgLVRBGOg/s640/3rd+Mar+Sat+(28).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instant noodles, purchased at a convenience store by the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNg6Am9XTC_x9BXjXFfOqsZjRRgkIjrknADIx_jrFxarBwlNhNMFpA5ZUdSFSJRYcpMyRqO6_TFGSjSx3FMUQkeSTJ1aBrchWLzUaW6Q41fXTGwZyOqMfdOjAdTrRGJ56o92FaZrBgXQ/s1600/6th+Jan+Fri+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNg6Am9XTC_x9BXjXFfOqsZjRRgkIjrknADIx_jrFxarBwlNhNMFpA5ZUdSFSJRYcpMyRqO6_TFGSjSx3FMUQkeSTJ1aBrchWLzUaW6Q41fXTGwZyOqMfdOjAdTrRGJ56o92FaZrBgXQ/s640/6th+Jan+Fri+(4).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They LOVE waffles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMkfa5de6j5T8qFRc0R-8noeDndrXPRQ1BXoJv2-1XW9PiUdnzALJVHm4OkUltv1QvSKWd2Ou04WqSRBhnBBn32_mFmT9N-VIGSSGI6MJN5xFt7TGWuzheBeJxgDk-lIyy6kxscnLYB0/s1600/4th+Mar+Sun+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMkfa5de6j5T8qFRc0R-8noeDndrXPRQ1BXoJv2-1XW9PiUdnzALJVHm4OkUltv1QvSKWd2Ou04WqSRBhnBBn32_mFmT9N-VIGSSGI6MJN5xFt7TGWuzheBeJxgDk-lIyy6kxscnLYB0/s640/4th+Mar+Sun+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potatoe pajeon, pancake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWy1rsQCkA9YfFNxoQ1kYwwzKuwtJuZniZgDhO5YS6N3qQGJ6TeIqC_3nVpgavn82rtRWK1_SDwZSIPrAADOTFvQ7AR2qwWs8zm15XTdQ9w6p7qEvE_FxzhncHcuVn7Uod4YUZOIe_68/s1600/7th+Feb+Tue+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWy1rsQCkA9YfFNxoQ1kYwwzKuwtJuZniZgDhO5YS6N3qQGJ6TeIqC_3nVpgavn82rtRWK1_SDwZSIPrAADOTFvQ7AR2qwWs8zm15XTdQ9w6p7qEvE_FxzhncHcuVn7Uod4YUZOIe_68/s640/7th+Feb+Tue+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was delicious! Cannot remember the name, but it contained chicken and potatoes. Mmmmmm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YHIHgJxp8bGZVQlYmbaoizqNPoRzZg9RCq_DBtfsf91JhRQJODyB7RRA1Rtm4BqYX2wEnEyuqJFBIxNbIXmarb78ZSlMcJ1hIgwO0vwNwFE0XQBWSFjWbDy6mrJkFbO-Ff6YDtCB1hU/s1600/7th+March+Mon+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YHIHgJxp8bGZVQlYmbaoizqNPoRzZg9RCq_DBtfsf91JhRQJODyB7RRA1Rtm4BqYX2wEnEyuqJFBIxNbIXmarb78ZSlMcJ1hIgwO0vwNwFE0XQBWSFjWbDy6mrJkFbO-Ff6YDtCB1hU/s640/7th+March+Mon+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More side dishes.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXagaVzVCAZ2bSlncHgI531TvRV_eGjp9824XKURXRmCENb3hzWTqmJ41DBzU2x57mYKR7saqj12skyI_ogpBWehlC599pi4yPptN5pdM682hJSPp21LbiP_t6YXe26bEzTohMwq-P_S4/s1600/8th+Dec+Thu+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side dishes purchased at the local street stall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean BBQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady making mung bean pancakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q_gVjxC9uimw2mkdCuxwSwedTcO0rrXrgy5xzvuY0yeswWggG3-vhzPsTYHTZxXqPtG7jxBv-FQOLIt33bf-3wpU_uIOgo9gKy6z5Ke7TsQORtDJFmefJzrbblGLvVDw_bD3JXwuqkY/s1600/13th+Sept+Tue+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q_gVjxC9uimw2mkdCuxwSwedTcO0rrXrgy5xzvuY0yeswWggG3-vhzPsTYHTZxXqPtG7jxBv-FQOLIt33bf-3wpU_uIOgo9gKy6z5Ke7TsQORtDJFmefJzrbblGLvVDw_bD3JXwuqkY/s640/13th+Sept+Tue+%252846%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing dinner, before it was cooked. It was delicious and looked so pretty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied9Y4GWGWBOAqI7uGKfoGtJdaOuObAm9X3TgNBn84BywvLiD-pGVkGsFZf-PYzGEaAwFSpieBsQyavGaafsC_kQhVf6shW0_BWttHOz8dtbmmWwJNZEHPPmWENorTUrHoEAOvZWJSyzw/s1600/10th+March+Thur+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied9Y4GWGWBOAqI7uGKfoGtJdaOuObAm9X3TgNBn84BywvLiD-pGVkGsFZf-PYzGEaAwFSpieBsQyavGaafsC_kQhVf6shW0_BWttHOz8dtbmmWwJNZEHPPmWENorTUrHoEAOvZWJSyzw/s640/10th+March+Thur+%252820%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end piece of some kimbap. In there you can see Radish (the bright yellow), spam (the pink), crab stick, egg omelette thingy, odang (fish cake light brown thing) and I think carrot?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special apron for eating Dak Galbi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potatoes on a stick, covered in cheese powder. Tasty and another example of street food, especially what can be found in the Myeongdong shopping district.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrzrauC3nhto0YJnqaqamtAN2xjAgfEdu8CczFvSWYMMn_pY_7JkfXlT_14It0c1_32iJJMubVb9bnXTmWg8T1YgTTLplS9IoZMgtymZMMTtWPhl85q94WjsgZlYL-ppAAnDIsOk2N7c/s1600/19th+June+Sun+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrzrauC3nhto0YJnqaqamtAN2xjAgfEdu8CczFvSWYMMn_pY_7JkfXlT_14It0c1_32iJJMubVb9bnXTmWg8T1YgTTLplS9IoZMgtymZMMTtWPhl85q94WjsgZlYL-ppAAnDIsOk2N7c/s640/19th+June+Sun+%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn dogs covered in chips.fries and deep fried. Looked amazing, tasted okay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktraf48hWJrxqGW4XXiuSvInMRmtVMgd6YDtk-VATBfCCogRNoHJ6vsqgqMBhuXguWhv559P9m0bhG84Z3ltQtajB8D5hkzBPF29F1mSTgVDemEIpbyhlkzVg_BX-9bqw5hyyUn-iISY/s1600/26th+March+Sat+%252868%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktraf48hWJrxqGW4XXiuSvInMRmtVMgd6YDtk-VATBfCCogRNoHJ6vsqgqMBhuXguWhv559P9m0bhG84Z3ltQtajB8D5hkzBPF29F1mSTgVDemEIpbyhlkzVg_BX-9bqw5hyyUn-iISY/s640/26th+March+Sat+%252868%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut butter roasted squid, to die for.</td></tr>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-19841122437159740692013-04-04T19:01:00.000+01:002013-04-04T19:01:55.781+01:00D is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dog (and cat) caf<span class="st">é</span>s!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, you read that right. Shortly after arriving in Seoul, a friend took me to one of the local dog caf<span class="st">é</span>s in Hongdae. It is exactly what it sounds like. A caf<span class="st">é</span> that is home to a load of dogs, or cats, or both. You go there, order a drink and stroke a dog. Sometimes, it is a waiting game of seeing which dog will mosey on down to see you, sometimes people cheat by buying treats, and, every now and then (depending on the caf<span class="st">é</span>), a dog may walk across your table. It is both delightful and sad at the same time. Delightful because you are living in a small apartment in the middle of a bustling city and there is no chance that you may own a pet any time soon, sad because it's not really the life a dog should have. Some caf<span class="st">é</span>s act as holiday homes for dogs, and so that tenants/play pals can change between visits, and sometimes people bring their own dogs with them to socialise with other dogs. I went to the same dog caf<span class="st">é</span> three times, but upon the third time the buzz of seeing all the dogs run riot came to an end and, upon seeing one of the workers at the caf<span class="st">é</span> poorly handle a dog, the reality of it sank in a little more. That is not to say that all dog caf<span class="st">é</span>s are like this, I have a very limited experience to speak from and that one employee was the only person guilty of treating the dogs with a lack of respect. I would not rule out visiting another caf</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span> in the future, I just wouldn't go back to that one or make a regular habit of it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHmF8l0nRXCpspx0URIr4-guYxJoNa5NjHIajiQxa5BBTaHQfAqEin9YVJLqOEHpPPgfAombzQOOvgRQz1NPvpNUPdLWvUvlyL2nlvWrwDOuT4J2CM8olf2fP5l6EF_5EdwKSjn3YKU0/s1600/199749_10150166846535149_1118392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHmF8l0nRXCpspx0URIr4-guYxJoNa5NjHIajiQxa5BBTaHQfAqEin9YVJLqOEHpPPgfAombzQOOvgRQz1NPvpNUPdLWvUvlyL2nlvWrwDOuT4J2CM8olf2fP5l6EF_5EdwKSjn3YKU0/s640/199749_10150166846535149_1118392_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken on my first visit after being in Seoul only a week or two. This dog came over almost as soon as I sat down and decided that my lap would be a good place to go to sleep.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few months later, I visited a local cat caf<span class="st">é</span> and that was much better. I believe it was called <a href="http://aliensdayout.com/2012/10/toms-cat-cafe-in-hongdae.html" target="_blank">Tom's Cat</a>, and it was a cat heaven complete with climbing frames lining the ceiling and walls. The good thing about the cat caf<span class="st">é</span> was that the owners had had the foresight to organise a system of coloured bibs that told you the temperament of each cat. Upon arriving at the caf<span class="st">é</span>, you were handed a leaflet and asked to read it (whilst they fetched the drink you had ordered). The leaflet explained the bib system and explained the rules for people behaviour whilst visiting the caf<span class="st">é</span>. Under no circumstances would pestering of the tenants be tolerated. I thought that place was brilliant, and the atmosphere was a lot less manic than that of the dog caf<span class="st">é</span>. Another blog post about the caf</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span></span>, with photo of the outside of it, can be found <a href="http://www.jamieliew.com/2012/03/toms-cat-cafe-hongdae/" target="_blank">here</a>. Again, it is not a dream life for a cat, but life could have been a lot worse for those moggies.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio80fNaI4uqOGdX-MUvYX_L77swIHWIXpGBTExUAAhq3GJVV6drwtn3lyGKv2KEfo9gJFgjb1GBokmYOe5tK_03K4zQ0teGo2CpeV1DJwgh1YTBbenY2M7sDSJx1-M08WGrHrQgIjzsWI/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio80fNaI4uqOGdX-MUvYX_L77swIHWIXpGBTExUAAhq3GJVV6drwtn3lyGKv2KEfo9gJFgjb1GBokmYOe5tK_03K4zQ0teGo2CpeV1DJwgh1YTBbenY2M7sDSJx1-M08WGrHrQgIjzsWI/s640/IMG_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climbing frames and hidden beds for the cats were really impressive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywmKsa63BIdtjPF37uM0M56cJtVqyy6EMfDrbDKHmbFQJHBA0juPUTX-UAAt_IlJ9ClrN-Cpc915KbXHjRVIbGV4MZ1GfjwTNon6YrFFio_u_h_of3ArxbiXJrJeaRhKfhINURmMzKNQ/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywmKsa63BIdtjPF37uM0M56cJtVqyy6EMfDrbDKHmbFQJHBA0juPUTX-UAAt_IlJ9ClrN-Cpc915KbXHjRVIbGV4MZ1GfjwTNon6YrFFio_u_h_of3ArxbiXJrJeaRhKfhINURmMzKNQ/s640/IMG_1109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensible cat, getting some alone time up high.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Hongdae, home of everything weird and wacky, there is even a sheep caf<span class="st">é</span>! It's called <a href="http://helloaperture.com/sheep-cafe-in-hongdae/" target="_blank">Thanks Nature Caf</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://helloaperture.com/sheep-cafe-in-hongdae/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span></a> and it is a great little escape from the madness of Hongdae. You go down some steps to the lower level of a restaurant complex and there you find a small sheep pen and enclosure (including a large fake tree) outside a caf</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span>. The sheep are incredibly well cared for, and are possibly the softest sheep you will ever touch (they MUST be groomed). They change yearly, when I last visited they were called Bebe and Nino, and the previous ones were Caf<span class="st">é</span> and Latte. The owner is this great chilled out guy who checks on the sheep often, and draws their pictures. You sometimes see him walking them down the street or loading them onto a sheep trailer to go home. The caf<span class="st">é</span> is great too, a really nice and chilled place. Of course, this is not the ideal life for a sheep, but selfishly I enjoyed going there very much. <a href="http://rawrkorea.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/charlie-brown-cafe-nature-cafe-comic.html" target="_blank">This</a> blog post will show you the location of the caf</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcle2fxcRUN29BjKD364SUO4XniewMw_KSaHbca8c9W-hc_00jPAD5hNy2fqyxSgyNcJtQqmZW_TFceoGg_PWekIIqHFGo_d48OMJzq2L6PlIcbpAdE5Sx0_kpvUpz51YsgVEgiGQEFk/s1600/25th+Oct+Tues+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcle2fxcRUN29BjKD364SUO4XniewMw_KSaHbca8c9W-hc_00jPAD5hNy2fqyxSgyNcJtQqmZW_TFceoGg_PWekIIqHFGo_d48OMJzq2L6PlIcbpAdE5Sx0_kpvUpz51YsgVEgiGQEFk/s640/25th+Oct+Tues+%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidStThP57myE4pCZ8eAHgZgI0mHYNHF7yfhcRjorKFeEYWC0pxx36m1W0mlUEuHXueqYxRMDKEexW2WiQ1jB4AUMxQ_F6YLy0QunbWQmZHyLB9Zy7YHN3mgYOaveoUBNMNnwiiqLbbzYo/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidStThP57myE4pCZ8eAHgZgI0mHYNHF7yfhcRjorKFeEYWC0pxx36m1W0mlUEuHXueqYxRMDKEexW2WiQ1jB4AUMxQ_F6YLy0QunbWQmZHyLB9Zy7YHN3mgYOaveoUBNMNnwiiqLbbzYo/s640/IMG_0698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last animal related caf</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é I can think of, that I visited, is the <a href="http://thetoohugeworld.com/2011/05/22/on-dr-fish-in-gangnam/" target="_blank">Dr Fish caf</a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><a href="http://thetoohugeworld.com/2011/05/22/on-dr-fish-in-gangnam/" target="_blank">é</a> in Gangnam. If you've been to a fancy spa, or just any city in Asia, you may have heard about the treatment for getting dead skin removed from your feet that involves sticking your feet in a pool of water filled with fish? Well that's what Dr Fish is. It is a great big caf</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é that you can visit. It has nice drinks and food, free unlimited toast and biscuits (but you must eat everything you take or else you get a fine) and then, for a measly few thousand won (it's roughly 1,420 won to £1) you can get your dead skin nibbled away by fish (<i>Garra rufa</i> fish to be exact). I think there were a whole host of treatments (not all of a fishy variety) available, but this was the reason we went. It's been about two years (how time flies) since I was there, so excuse any rusty information.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia77S6H8N1JyQy6oNhIwc1EJvb6kL6CcAHwx1wvB1fswLnAL47n7ZB9cL78hL-ekrHvXMRKJeJM45w5GDar1ty4FLlPrQH6GHYRSGoTADDd6HR-ku9we3Re5QWs7FbRO9fqXsyaMF0VOY/s1600/195933_10150166848260149_1439783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia77S6H8N1JyQy6oNhIwc1EJvb6kL6CcAHwx1wvB1fswLnAL47n7ZB9cL78hL-ekrHvXMRKJeJM45w5GDar1ty4FLlPrQH6GHYRSGoTADDd6HR-ku9we3Re5QWs7FbRO9fqXsyaMF0VOY/s640/195933_10150166848260149_1439783_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish varied quite a bit in size, but there were no really big ones in there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It REALLY tickled...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">That's it for now, I was only meant to write about the dog caf</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span></span> but look what happened! The one thing I loved about Seoul was that you would constantly stumble upon, or hear about, a new quirky place to go try brunch, eat waffles, drink bubble tea or try a green tea latte. They really go all out with their caf</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">é</span></span></span>s and each one tries to have something different about it to draw you in. I could write a whole book about them, so I will stop myself there. Thank you to Jenny and Yenny, from whom I have borrowed some photos.</span></span></span></div>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-44042197601947726352013-04-03T18:45:00.001+01:002013-04-03T18:45:49.238+01:00C is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cherry blossom!</div>
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Korea does not boast the amazing cherry blossom that can be seen in Japan, but it doesn't do too badly either. Every April (in fact March - May), hoards of people swarm to the locations known for blossoms. I really wanted to go out of Seoul to some of the more southerly and rural cities to see the blossoms, they are supposed to be beautiful in places (I think it was <a href="http://discoveringkorea.com/090324/jinhae-cherry-blossom-festival/" target="_blank">Jinhae</a> that was supposed to be great). Alas, I only made it to the Hangang River Park by Yeouido. Take a look at <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=957144" target="_blank">this</a> site to see what the Official site of Korea Tourism recommends this year.</div>
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Here are some snaps from April 2011:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As at any festival, there were masses of street vendors and people!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYUeDlY41uMLcadHHsS-H6iW_lzyZ5w_0tq8eZIM2DIZkcCVNWSkQJ0CkJcNa9VKsy7E1yDpSxQMPL2nIAwrum1vXBYrrvAobjcJ_D03XB9uvaHy_UYRzlEcwJuwsG6_HWMkMS-Y_xNs/s1600/BeFunky_16th+April+Sat+%252848%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYUeDlY41uMLcadHHsS-H6iW_lzyZ5w_0tq8eZIM2DIZkcCVNWSkQJ0CkJcNa9VKsy7E1yDpSxQMPL2nIAwrum1vXBYrrvAobjcJ_D03XB9uvaHy_UYRzlEcwJuwsG6_HWMkMS-Y_xNs/s640/BeFunky_16th+April+Sat+%252848%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best photo, but proves that I was there!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NzVoGFS1h8o1f4ZaNgIIB8U4IY5BMhDXQhWVHlcMjw1D8N9lbD-VUZD1rFNdilpR2SrVImgZUIo7g4Z0prirnATR4mFOJPzNnaCzT4FCPVNHzEXRp2_17ongF_SIovToc-g17lhb3gE/s1600/BeFunky_16th+April+Sat+%25281%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What all the fuss is about.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDHgv3CYdg_smJ-Y69q_FZ4Gbp8kDo9OFogKTNPaWmNoP18i0w4p_wla7ckZqCsoeSioMY1LWqUIowQ2XUXFRoLjPtsOSFerh_K0M7jKyW-gz7bXe7W9fR6ITB05S3A2DQLpD4EagSP0/s1600/BeFunky_16th+April+Sat+%252850%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDHgv3CYdg_smJ-Y69q_FZ4Gbp8kDo9OFogKTNPaWmNoP18i0w4p_wla7ckZqCsoeSioMY1LWqUIowQ2XUXFRoLjPtsOSFerh_K0M7jKyW-gz7bXe7W9fR6ITB05S3A2DQLpD4EagSP0/s640/BeFunky_16th+April+Sat+%252850%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, all those people had the same idea of getting the subway home....</td></tr>
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Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-79749262624858369502013-04-03T18:13:00.002+01:002013-04-03T18:13:39.980+01:00And the nominees are...<br />Before I write my post for the letter C in the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank">A-Z Challenge</a>, I needed/wanted to share this!<br />
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It appears that the lovely Katy at <a href="http://justpirouetteandcarryon.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Just Pirouette and Carry On</a> has nominated me for a Liebster Blog award!<br />
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Now, I'm not 100% sure how this works, but she's listed some questions that I need to answer, so here it goes:<br />
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1. What was the first single or album you owned?<br />
Well, this is both an excellent and a cringe "yes, I really bought that" story. One day, many moons ago when I was maybe 15/16, I was in a shopping centre when I ended up being asked a question in front of the WHOLE shopping centres by a local radio personality. It was a really simple question, literally "what did Little Miss Muffet eat?" Well, (duh) "curds and whey" was my answer. And, as a reward for turning a truly beautiful shade of scarlet, I received a voucher for HMV. So, off I plodded, to the music store and purchased two CDs. One was Bon Jovi Crossroads and the other was Meatloaf Bat out of Hell 2. And, you know what, I loved them, still love them and think they were a fine choice. In fact, it was after those that my musical taste deteriorated rather rapidly....<br />
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2. What do you have recurring dreams about?<br />
Oh lordy. I don't have any of those cool dreams, you know the ones where you're flying. I also rarely have nightmares, phew! I do, however, have recurring anxiety dreams whereby my teeth are either simply falling out or I am pulling them out. The dreams are not hugely distressing, I think I have gotten used to them, but I do wake up checking all my teeth are still in their correct places...<br />
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3. What was your nickname at school, and why?<br />
This links back to a post I did a while back, a "<a href="http://thegoodthebadthequirky.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/5-random-facts-about-me.html" target="_blank">5 facts you don't know about me</a>" post. At school, certainly for the first 2-3 years of secondary school, I was that girl that the boys teased and then ran away from (all the while glancing over their shoulders to make sure I was chasing them). What usually happened was that I caught up and then kicked their shins... Yes, I have a brother. Now, I had several nicknames during this period. The ones I can remember are as follows; Terminator (I know), Lambo (as in Rambo, get it), Hamlet (I held up a skull in art class and there was a poster from the play, blah de blah...), Abigali (something to do with garlic somehow) and A-big-whale. There were no doubt others. My favourite nickname ever was the one my kindergarten children gave me when I was in Seoul, simply because they couldn't say Abigail. They called me Alligator teacher and I loved them for it.<br />
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4. Have you ever had road rage?<br />
The real answer to this is probably no. Disappointing I know. This is not to say that I have never gotten miffed at another driver, or even worse a cyclist, but I could never remember where my horn was. So, usually, by the time I had figured that out (on the end of my indicator stick, how useless is that) and my car had made a pathetic attempt at a beep, all the fire had gone out of me and the offending driver would be long gone. Highly unsatisfactory. Now, road hysterics is another matter entirely...<br />
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5. What can't you leave the house without?<br />
Gosh, I would have to say either my headphones for my ipod/Blackberry (new fangled phone means I can have music on it and carry one less item) or my camera. Actually, the former is probably the more important at the moment. I am a classic Walkman/Discman generation child, I cannot bear walking around without something to distract me from my surroundings. I have that paranoid "everyone is looking at me, do I have something stuck to my face?" feeling otherwise. I am also a classic "walk really fast to loud music when angry" person.<br />
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6. What song can you sing from start to finish without checking the words?<br />
Easy peasy. "Someday I'll be Saturday night" by Bon Jovi. I love this song, it is my theme tune, and it was my go to Noraebang (Karaoke) song in Seoul. It is guaranteed to cheer me up and relax me. I hasten to add, that I can't sing at all and it probably sounds atrocious, but in my head I'm a rock star.<br />
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7. Ever chatted up a stranger? Dish!<br />
This question is so you Katy! Is it really sad that I can't think of a good situation where I made the first, bold move? The only time I can think of resulted in a major mistake in the affairs of the heart. I did, however, end up chatting with a guy for an hour or so, in the middle of the night on a train going to Scotland. I was going on a field trip with my uni, our first, and we were making the mammoth journey from Cambridge to the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides. This guy came up to me, because he liked me hair, and we had this really random, and cute, conversation via notepad (as in pen and paper as this was 2003). His name was Marc. I actually ended up going to see him in Liverpool a few months later. After he got off the train that night, must have been 2am or so, we kept in touch by email and then he disappeared. Me being me, I got super annoyed at being ignored and sent a ranting email (yes, I do feel the shame) but it turns out he had been in Iceland with no internet? Nothing came of it in the end, but it was all very daring and random at the time.<br />
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8. What's your Wu Tang name?<br />
Okay, I need to click on the link you gave for this as I am at a loss! Apparently it is Victorian Cow?<br />
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9. Have you ever danced on the tables?<br />
No, I haven't lived! I have danced rather "enthusiastically" to Beyonce "Crazy in Love" whilst grabbing on to a pole (fully clothed and a tad intoxicated). Had it been a table it may have ended with more than just embarrassment the next day... <br />
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10. Where's your happy place?<br />
Golly, that's a good one. Right now, these last few weeks, all I have wanted to do is return to Germany and to an alpaca farm I worked on last May. I went there with <a href="http://www.workaway.info/" target="_blank">WorkAway</a> and stayed for 3 weeks. Everyday I cleaned out and fed alpacas, ate food, enjoyed sunshine and watched countless episodes of Friends on DVD. The people were the friendliest and kindest you could ever hope to meet, the alpacas were cute and amusing and their pet dogs were gorgeous. It was located near a small town about an hour from Frankfurt, among rolling hills and grapevines. I long to go there now and clear my head, it was wonderful.<br />
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11. Can you do the Macarena?<br />
In a word, no. I think I know about half of the moves but then I get muddled with "Saturday night" by Whigfield...<br />
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I've run out of time for today, but I will post my list of nominations and random questions over the next day or so, going to get my thinking cap on... Thank you so much Katy, I am loving reading your blog!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhkR2ILJuJXW2m4dZDdBAh4mXtXLQSkf7qNX_ItfpXiPy7tYgLrBak1-aJGWDOdtp0Cqs_MacsAddPORU9znkViQDVu3aZR8NJ6q1HK6wSY4oR_yKaxUC0DXkHW8auP8hz7TiUZjen8g/s1600/liebster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhkR2ILJuJXW2m4dZDdBAh4mXtXLQSkf7qNX_ItfpXiPy7tYgLrBak1-aJGWDOdtp0Cqs_MacsAddPORU9znkViQDVu3aZR8NJ6q1HK6wSY4oR_yKaxUC0DXkHW8auP8hz7TiUZjen8g/s1600/liebster.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
Okay, I am going to ask these lovely people some questions:<br />
Tabetha at <a href="http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Closet Intellectual</a><br />
Jenni at <a href="http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Story of my life</a><br />
Casey at <a href="http://www.wetooktheroadlesstraveled.com/" target="_blank">We took the road less travelled</a><br />
The writer of <a href="http://lifeonleroy.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Life on LeRoy</a><br />
Elle at <a href="http://cuteinkorea.com/white-day-korea/" target="_blank">Cute in Korea</a><br />
<br />
1. What is your favourite snack when feeling peckish?<br />
2. What is your favourite season and why?<br />
3. What place is the top of your holiday wish list and why?<br />
4. Do you have a song that simply forces you to smile/tap your toes/get up and shake your thing, no matter what you may have been feeling before it came on?<br />
5. Describe one of the best, or most interesting, meals you ever had.<br />
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<br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-55430158944511335442013-04-02T18:54:00.000+01:002013-04-02T18:54:08.852+01:00B is for...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Buddha's birthday.</div>
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In Korea, as in many countries in East Asia, <a href="http://cuteinkorea.com/buddhas-birthday-in-korea/" target="_blank">Buddha's birthday</a> is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese Lunar calender (click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_Birthday" target="_blank">here</a> for some more details). Last year, and every year I believe, in Seoul they had a hoard of celebrations for Buddha's birthday, including their annual<a href="http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1002416" target="_blank"> lantern festival</a>. Buddha's birthday is a great time, firstly you get some extra days off (it's a national holiday), secondly you get to see pretty lanterns and the such, and, thirdly, it is one of the rare times when you get to experience a really traditional celebration in Korea. There is a wonderful atmosphere at this festival, helped by summer starting to arrive I'm sure.</div>
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I was in Seoul for Buddha's birthday in 2011, here are some of my favourite photos from the long weekend.</div>
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Parade preparation: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDyBBF56kYKRur1iKjuoUNH7UuAz2Oo7Nzra4yQ1POUJ7qMysXvD75n_sUKclWCNYJZeW63IFIU7TFImL5vN8kMDb4GF_8y015_jMuBMZ0LnbjR-jZp5XYDpMdIccMzbuM2CVU2hv1oQ/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+(16)+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDyBBF56kYKRur1iKjuoUNH7UuAz2Oo7Nzra4yQ1POUJ7qMysXvD75n_sUKclWCNYJZeW63IFIU7TFImL5vN8kMDb4GF_8y015_jMuBMZ0LnbjR-jZp5XYDpMdIccMzbuM2CVU2hv1oQ/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+(16)+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stumbled upon people preparing for the parade and discovered this cute umbrella cart.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmPzj03awRJslGbkfUi7t_i8cPsofyDt4gjc0OSN4RrMXdToYy_lIQJKTGZoVRBfR8YBYR16tRLlY5s5i5UbbfeeQ642L8eLaEiNJkQYSc39thMwmKGzofuVpt48coL3ZpiuwuNdiQGI/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252817%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmPzj03awRJslGbkfUi7t_i8cPsofyDt4gjc0OSN4RrMXdToYy_lIQJKTGZoVRBfR8YBYR16tRLlY5s5i5UbbfeeQ642L8eLaEiNJkQYSc39thMwmKGzofuVpt48coL3ZpiuwuNdiQGI/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252817%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns ready to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NgmyyxzCaz3Jy6w3HRl_Gk0O4zuxXsYd_QZlBpV8v31c8w9ijUy467emgLUrYFshbxWqpmwFJ48P71Jjm6NB116T5qpSuHVNqke2cROt2gTJKJfvEXv7bkES-M9H7sFqLvPFFGj3fPw/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252836%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NgmyyxzCaz3Jy6w3HRl_Gk0O4zuxXsYd_QZlBpV8v31c8w9ijUy467emgLUrYFshbxWqpmwFJ48P71Jjm6NB116T5qpSuHVNqke2cROt2gTJKJfvEXv7bkES-M9H7sFqLvPFFGj3fPw/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252836%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People getting some children ready.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EsKwsMps4w2HTNa1HsCpPXPA90tfIwi2jAHk9KY5kAj5xsQJ9QbLX_NJX8-6X5iE0AyWNre8WUcmiDpmu0lvtu-7Y5pwoUrU-xGfHFu0kgRpLiDzar2-B7KefRIbyt-bhI0vNbWqXpA/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252847%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EsKwsMps4w2HTNa1HsCpPXPA90tfIwi2jAHk9KY5kAj5xsQJ9QbLX_NJX8-6X5iE0AyWNre8WUcmiDpmu0lvtu-7Y5pwoUrU-xGfHFu0kgRpLiDzar2-B7KefRIbyt-bhI0vNbWqXpA/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252847%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing, testing.... Yes, the smoke works!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPyza5uyH1yyGzOWXBdY45T2r_W4Vem8h4Qi2rCqNF7A9tuMa5Kq7Cfwsj9q4f4vszsApolEvDmluS6u4bZhZjU6zY6L-yfglMm32H-Amn7TwAPlLJe_m8WfMKnDPwtqDwan9IuSxPU/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252857%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPyza5uyH1yyGzOWXBdY45T2r_W4Vem8h4Qi2rCqNF7A9tuMa5Kq7Cfwsj9q4f4vszsApolEvDmluS6u4bZhZjU6zY6L-yfglMm32H-Amn7TwAPlLJe_m8WfMKnDPwtqDwan9IuSxPU/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252857%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional band getting ready.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnVYMnDsExIrOgeVPss7vzhyphenhyphenP6sf-J1j7eMUgfa4Zj0az7mMBe97G6Xx7jYTVYSu5JU3mNyHSJC19daIXbY_oVznRbFWdPPboBIMyWX1VGha9mYgrZXtRJbGK3b019VjQVmvCAL1R7Hw/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252853%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnVYMnDsExIrOgeVPss7vzhyphenhyphenP6sf-J1j7eMUgfa4Zj0az7mMBe97G6Xx7jYTVYSu5JU3mNyHSJC19daIXbY_oVznRbFWdPPboBIMyWX1VGha9mYgrZXtRJbGK3b019VjQVmvCAL1R7Hw/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252853%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaB2MN2AHeZk98C51ms2Pi-rODR0yiQEwNGRXSsVqDRKC8KmC_f0foDV1rvU3uYx09Cj9rdJzsG6BMeqLvcG0No-gqMMcb_oF4HtVsbaZUaBL6Qf8cfev8kF_kDaB3AN7i4zZZECODa0/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252871%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaB2MN2AHeZk98C51ms2Pi-rODR0yiQEwNGRXSsVqDRKC8KmC_f0foDV1rvU3uYx09Cj9rdJzsG6BMeqLvcG0No-gqMMcb_oF4HtVsbaZUaBL6Qf8cfev8kF_kDaB3AN7i4zZZECODa0/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%252871%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These old gals were getting their lanterns ready.</td></tr>
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And the parade begins....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDm0G9BLOhEOV9g6KFz9K9Lk0zN7JsuferNzmN12N_Y1zzjvG61ZkPiSlLlCUBRMf3UuwYCerMt2C5E929Do9ePpeSTVJtbfmqYFg1z4JsFErPnZiXULzCw4LDVhI7K8q-LbKg_2at5U/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528135%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDm0G9BLOhEOV9g6KFz9K9Lk0zN7JsuferNzmN12N_Y1zzjvG61ZkPiSlLlCUBRMf3UuwYCerMt2C5E929Do9ePpeSTVJtbfmqYFg1z4JsFErPnZiXULzCw4LDVhI7K8q-LbKg_2at5U/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528135%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved seeing monks EVERYWHERE in Korea.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lAo_0l2wY5xlr-D_LWlJryzJQXeeZwNixBQiYvShMNFurBzmEXythso6FPom05k8VD5zF8eCaou0u34YCYM_77z87anAguqefquf9jGSEkBPgBv2nYWHUD2OaTmBca6gABnwnCFh_88/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528243%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lAo_0l2wY5xlr-D_LWlJryzJQXeeZwNixBQiYvShMNFurBzmEXythso6FPom05k8VD5zF8eCaou0u34YCYM_77z87anAguqefquf9jGSEkBPgBv2nYWHUD2OaTmBca6gABnwnCFh_88/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528243%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKkWtRUFAWNIZ0xuBdegswoLdWqphLSwtdyBZCt9h2CB-EFJ8Zk5Yd6GkFayPQjs1TCcGlsB5Pvws1CKWjm8lW8UkGbQLE5jgQRVVQg_F3NtRvt2v98w7Ix-yf-aIZUF0eMaZMD2e5ww/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528248%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKkWtRUFAWNIZ0xuBdegswoLdWqphLSwtdyBZCt9h2CB-EFJ8Zk5Yd6GkFayPQjs1TCcGlsB5Pvws1CKWjm8lW8UkGbQLE5jgQRVVQg_F3NtRvt2v98w7Ix-yf-aIZUF0eMaZMD2e5ww/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528248%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floats were many and spectacular, alas my camera was not worthy. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59FNbVihEE9e83ye1OoPwRkMALraaUNorE64q0UmJ8nZBD6PyRTz5OrhS_NhFv1tSiMr8lCGaJn3TPJSnhKpBGygPqIszCTJ7LDHa8HPGnvTyGjMkFdfwkLSJRBlzPRSFhUUyVXcj70A/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528149%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59FNbVihEE9e83ye1OoPwRkMALraaUNorE64q0UmJ8nZBD6PyRTz5OrhS_NhFv1tSiMr8lCGaJn3TPJSnhKpBGygPqIszCTJ7LDHa8HPGnvTyGjMkFdfwkLSJRBlzPRSFhUUyVXcj70A/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528149%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdB98lJTuIe8dVnFy6NobP11Ddvf-ezc74_S70Apv2CPq8CkKIyYQ1nTVb0Pc-2RkaeONgjqexyZCGGhhtbudXc0HJVcuuPoKXEVAKaBfeffOJVN4bHELteryt9o7tTlaAxmQ2DP84Mc/s1600/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528252%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdB98lJTuIe8dVnFy6NobP11Ddvf-ezc74_S70Apv2CPq8CkKIyYQ1nTVb0Pc-2RkaeONgjqexyZCGGhhtbudXc0HJVcuuPoKXEVAKaBfeffOJVN4bHELteryt9o7tTlaAxmQ2DP84Mc/s640/BeFunky_7th+May+Sat+%2528252%2529+new+camera.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady in a lotus flower.</td></tr>
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The following day, my friends and I wandered back to the historic/tourist area of Insadong. It was ram packed with foreigners and Koreans alike, all eager to soak up some culture and enjoy the festivities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPN3UdjTG3c3NmbV-Zlvo6YkQWf6T8zn9M3KtdrFnxFZmnWCEb8j2q1KZOE-ZTCq3HKBR83569518tJpp316dkav0NiM0o-8FPs9ueYgxz76PV6uinhzLoiLLIaYPffpEpIz8ppuRVIsM/s1600/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%25288%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPN3UdjTG3c3NmbV-Zlvo6YkQWf6T8zn9M3KtdrFnxFZmnWCEb8j2q1KZOE-ZTCq3HKBR83569518tJpp316dkav0NiM0o-8FPs9ueYgxz76PV6uinhzLoiLLIaYPffpEpIz8ppuRVIsM/s640/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%25288%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They really like to get foreigners to join in and learn about Korea. My rosary is on my bedroom door handle back home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZCs99BPeracc8ooW-XTck1unPYtnBHfC56fQl6wETpTUdXlKsPf8shMCFsbdDm931G5LifSa9uuPLojUqJnGG8OUVZZhdWe7kGVBQ0Jkz_Lbold82T_WlxJOKmbNi-62Dnf0BljTMw/s1600/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%252831%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZCs99BPeracc8ooW-XTck1unPYtnBHfC56fQl6wETpTUdXlKsPf8shMCFsbdDm931G5LifSa9uuPLojUqJnGG8OUVZZhdWe7kGVBQ0Jkz_Lbold82T_WlxJOKmbNi-62Dnf0BljTMw/s640/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%252831%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random child with people in traditional royal outfits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbRmrgyB_9xGlrPMAsQbLrq9RVtdGmMOTkXUC76Wx1y7wKhjumaBcwWnSPOv4iw2XAr2Dd_JUzUPZ9Q_vpKZlvhTP7wIiEhAE32pL0cb5uJB_seJHuk-1Fux-G5gZgXyx9qRF6ZJaA1Q/s1600/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%252865%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbRmrgyB_9xGlrPMAsQbLrq9RVtdGmMOTkXUC76Wx1y7wKhjumaBcwWnSPOv4iw2XAr2Dd_JUzUPZ9Q_vpKZlvhTP7wIiEhAE32pL0cb5uJB_seJHuk-1Fux-G5gZgXyx9qRF6ZJaA1Q/s640/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%252865%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns at a traditional temple. They created ceilings out of lanterns, it was spectacular.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeP-Ey33h15Q7f0u0jkeiubH3NhpjoKn0fLkO7OHEDD-2axkn8mYfCUj2B6LeEWv-X5idWAvpxduSahj8q0fUENBsQ-9NGC_p-FQHRIDYUfu7JSQ4kJwhu6JuaY1OBDd5jOXtgkETCk0/s1600/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%25281%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeP-Ey33h15Q7f0u0jkeiubH3NhpjoKn0fLkO7OHEDD-2axkn8mYfCUj2B6LeEWv-X5idWAvpxduSahj8q0fUENBsQ-9NGC_p-FQHRIDYUfu7JSQ4kJwhu6JuaY1OBDd5jOXtgkETCk0/s640/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%25281%2529.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People crossing the Cheonggyecheon stream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0P8OcLDxM0SZdMhiZtSQtMn6da22EDdyALEgbYpUyc0GwPVyfLHOGqFDBpeyHZ9Es26_8BglqavryjUV1KK8gbMju7GANxeLDdpBbFsoj1T-XPHXVnN1ZVoV5R321-0HGCohTM3C3hM/s1600/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%2528165%2529.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0P8OcLDxM0SZdMhiZtSQtMn6da22EDdyALEgbYpUyc0GwPVyfLHOGqFDBpeyHZ9Es26_8BglqavryjUV1KK8gbMju7GANxeLDdpBbFsoj1T-XPHXVnN1ZVoV5R321-0HGCohTM3C3hM/s640/BeFunky_8th+May+Sun+%2528165%2529.jpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same stream, further down. It's one of my favourite parts of the city, the lanterns are all in honour of the festival.</td></tr>
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A day later, I went hiking in a nearby mountain. There was a buddhist temple covered in lanterns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYt6KSIyCyl3_nrVXAXQbz862dneQz2MdUOZg5_ZKFa9jcdWhx6Jq2_rSj5AK35hJ1K8IClPiy5rbwl6gavuZbwDh60ppGXzGxdnWAzrTSMg9MZ12PRF93A0SuOylVeS8LQmV6vnqodw/s1600/BeFunky_15th+May+Sun+%252839%2529+Gwanaksan.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYt6KSIyCyl3_nrVXAXQbz862dneQz2MdUOZg5_ZKFa9jcdWhx6Jq2_rSj5AK35hJ1K8IClPiy5rbwl6gavuZbwDh60ppGXzGxdnWAzrTSMg9MZ12PRF93A0SuOylVeS8LQmV6vnqodw/s640/BeFunky_15th+May+Sun+%252839%2529+Gwanaksan.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you ever go to Seoul, go in the spring to see the blossom, and if you can, wait around and be there for Buddha's birthday. Just looking at these photos brings back wonderful memories for me, I hope you enjoyed them.Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317474061440241737.post-89591738359635361982013-04-01T20:40:00.001+01:002013-04-01T20:40:43.260+01:00A is for....Welcome to my first post for the 2013 A-Z challenge. My posts are going to be a mixture of things, mainly based on my travels (including a large proportion about things I learnt during a year in South Korea).<br />
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So, A is for<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> AN<span style="font-size: x-large;">N</span>YEONG-HASEYO 안녕하세요</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the way you say hello in Korea, in Hangeul to be exact. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangul" target="_blank">Hangeul</a> is a fairly simple language, in that it is comprised of only 24 vowels and consonants. Compared to other languages in Asia, Japanese, Cantonese etc, it is pretty easy to learn<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">There are things to learn, like what sounds are produced when cert<span style="font-size: small;">ain characters are put together or doubled etc, <span style="font-size: small;">but all in all it's a clever system.</span></span></span> Here's a glimpse of what the alphabet looks like;</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="full-hangul" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-895" height="452" src="http://josefwigren.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/full-hangul.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on this blog, worth a look if you want to learn a bit of Hangul! http://josefwigren.com/hangul-in-20-minutes/</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">That said, after a year of living in<span style="font-size: small;"> Seoul I <span style="font-size: small;">knew only a handful of words, but that was purely down to being lazy on my part. I coul<span style="font-size: small;">d sound things out, enough to read a menu or the <span style="font-size: small;">name of a place. Like many countr<span style="font-size: small;">ies, Korea has a lot of words influenced by the West<span style="font-size: small;">. These words are <span style="font-size: small;">referred to as Konglish, when a<span style="font-size: small;">n English word is written in Hangeul. <span style="font-size: small;">I would feel all excited and p<span style="font-size: small;">roud that I had fi<span style="font-size: small;">gured out the word, only to realise it was <span style="font-size: small;">Eng<span style="font-size: small;">lish! Classic words you see written in Kon<span style="font-size: small;">glish are simple things like camera or hamb<span style="font-size: small;">urger.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, and if you are ever <span style="font-size: small;">in Korea, they refer to <span style="font-size: small;">mobiles/cell<span style="font-size: small;"> phones as hand phones...</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.omniglot.com/soundfiles/korean/goodbye3_kr.mp3">안녕히 가세요</a> Annyeong-hi gaseyo (Good<span style="font-size: small;">bye to <span style="font-size: small;">a person when <span style="font-size: small;">they are leaving but you are staying, meaning something like <span style="font-size: small;">go</span> in peace)</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05138263800095955111noreply@blogger.com4