Oh Seoul - The City Life

I thought these buildings were cool. The city is so lit up and different from anything I have seen back home. This really doesn't do it any justice compared to what we say in the middle of the city on New Years Eve when we were in our taxi on the way to the ball. If it wasn't so cold out that night, I would of had the taxi stop to take pictures.



This next picture is a picture of a Hooka. Yes, you can go to certain bars in Korea and smoke out of a Hooka, which has just fruit and tobacco. It was quite interesting and different, especially considering that I don't smoke cigarettes.








These are jeans that cost 10,000 Won, which is about $8 US dollars for a pair of jeans in an underground mall in Seoul. This mall spans for miles and it seems to be endless when you are in it. the distance between the stores are very small and I even got a little clausterphobic while shopping, but you can find some really good deals. These are pictures in the mall and me waiting for Joanna to finish shopping.






This is the cool hair salon that we got our hair done at before going to the ball. If you haven't noticed in the pictures yet...I cut about eight inches of my hair.

Food In Seoul - New Years Celebration

We ate some amazing food in Seoul and we took pictures. The first three are from a small burger joint near the base that just blew us away with the size and juicy taste called "Jacobys", perfect hangover food from the night before of clubbing. It had to be one of the best burgers I have had in my life, who would of thought I could say that in Korea.

The other pictures are from an authentic Spanish restaurant in the heart of where the bars are in Iteawon, Seoul, called "La Plancha." We just happen to walk in this place when trying to decide where to get a good meal and boy, were we surprised. One of us had steak, one had salmon, and the other two girls had shrimp and chicken pallela. The entire meal, including the appetizers, the wine, the beer, and the waiter were divine and to be remembered. We are already planning our return this next Friday, when we will all be in Seoul again.

New Years in Seoul

My four day, three night adventure in Seoul for New Years had to be the most fun that I have had since coming to Korea. I went with my Canadian friend, Joanna, and we met up with two of her girlfriends that she met at her orientation who live and teach in other cities in Korea. Ashlea, the blonde, is originally from Canada and teaches in Wonju and Hope, the Asian, is originally from Texas, but speaks some Korean, and teaches in a small city outside of Seoul. Seoul is the capital of South Korea, has 22 million people residing in it and there probably was another 2 million there to ring in the New Year. It was like being in New York City. Since it was way too cold to take in the festivities and lights of the city, us girls chose to join a party, which was a New Years Eve Ball held on the military base. We had an absolute blast, especially being the prettiest girls at the party and having all the guys drool. The ticket was only 45,000 Won, which is about $40 US dollars, and it included party favors, DJ and dancing until 4am, appetizers until 1am, champagne toast at 12am, and a five course breakfast at 2am.

Field Trip to Jeonju

My co-teacher took me on a field trip to show me her hometown, which is Jeonju. Jeonju is about 40 minutes away and is the closest big city to Gunsan. It has about twice as many people and is a lot more congested than Gunsan. It is supposedly one of the oldest cities in Korea, still holding many of the original buildings built 400-500 years ago. She took me to a small museum that depicted the old buildings and then we actually saw some.









These were some flowers made out of old Korean paper, also found in the museum. The art of making things out of paper goes back a long ways in the Korean culture, really pretty.



I thought this place was pretty historical and even took a picture of the description of what these houses were used for. They were basically where many rituals were performed and where people prepared themselves to be inhabited by the spirit, kind of creepy if you ask me. If you click on the description picture, you can read for yourself. That is one of my co-teachers in the picture in front of these ritual houses that are just closed down and there for show now. Supposedly one of the Queen's of Korea lived in them after they weren't used for rituals any more, but I am sure she had a few rituals of her own.