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  • Unknown's avatar

    AG 6:20 am on February 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    Adventure #5: Deoksu Palace and 8 Course Japanese Dinner 

    Photobucket

    I planned to go to the Seoul Museum of Art on Sunday to scope out the Andy Warhol exhibit with a friend. However, by the time we got there, the museum was closed. Luckily, we were near a palace and with the entrance fee being only 1,000 won (less than 1 USD), we decided to check it out. The palace is called Deoksu, and it was built in the mid fifteenth century. Out of the all the palaces in Seoul, it is the smallest. This was perfect, since it was close to getting dark out. So we were able to walk around the grounds before it was dark. If I could figure out how to post pictures on here, I would do so. But I’m technologically challenged…You can read more about this palace here http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/65.

    Photobucket

    After the palace we stumbled a upon a pricey Japanese restaurant, but since we were in the mood for fish we decided to treat ourselves. The dining area was fun in and of itself. It was a private room with a sliding door and chairs on the floor allowing for your feet to stretch down about 2 feet below the tabletop. The meal started with tea and soup. Following came about 7 courses of fish. The first 2 were raw. I have taken a liking to raw fish more than ever since residing in Korea. I honestly don’t know what kind of fish it was, but I tried all of it. This was an adventure on its own. It was all very tasty and fresh. Again, if I knew how to post photos, I would, but…The bill came to 50,000 won each, which is probably the most I’ve spent on a meal since I’ve been here. Wait, it’s probably the most I’ve ever spent on dinner for myself!

     
    • Kimberly Hula's avatar

      yearof52adventures 8:01 am on February 8, 2010 Permalink

      sounds delightful. If you want to email me your photos I can upload them to your post and/or send you instructions in how to do so. I need to see this palace. and this meal! (Kimberlyhula@gmail.com)

  • Unknown's avatar

    AG 10:32 pm on January 31, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    Adventure #4: Taking the long way home 

    In the hustle and bustle of life in Seoul, I typically take the shortest route possible to and from the subway station. However, on Saturday afternoon, I decided to practice patience and take an alternative route. I actually got lost in the moment or maybe I was so fully present in the moment, so alert, that it was as if I was rediscovering the neighborhood that I’ve lived in for the past 8 months.

    I actually experienced a quietness in my mind that is foreign to me as I, like many of us, am constantly absorbed in the repetitive thoughts that pollute my brain. I felt content with my surroundings and the new discoveries I had made in this spur of the moment stroll. Some things I stumbled upon were two apartment buildings side by side, one titled Romeo, the other Juliet. How perfect for a culture that is marriage obsessed! I also found a small Mom and Pop grocery store, which made me happy because it’s closer than the chain that I usually visit. Other things I spotted were a few small coffee and sandwich shops and a lingerie store, which was random but classy. Throughout the duration of this trip, there was a meowing cat who followed me almost to my destination, home.

    I have been wanting to practice meditation and yoga for some time now. And while these things are healthy and beneficial, I realized that I can find the stillness that I seek through meditation by simply taking a walk in my own neighborhood.

     
    • Kimberly Hula's avatar

      yearof52adventures 6:14 am on February 1, 2010 Permalink

      I feel a very real need to go explore my neighborhood now. Way to live-it-up lady!

  • Unknown's avatar

    AG 10:13 pm on January 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    Korean Adventures 

    The first adventure was celebrating New Year’s Eve/Day in Korea. The best thing about New Year’s Day in Korea is that everyone changes age on this day. So it’s everybody’s birthday in Korea on January 1st. The worst part is that I turned 30 (Korean age). Or maybe that is the best part because so far 30 is great!

    Adventure 2 involved going to a Korean person’s home. This was a first. I have been in Korea for 8 months but had never entered anyone’s home here aside from friends’ apartments. My friend, Tommy, invited me over to his house, and I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I was impressed with the luxuries of his residence, including a Kimchi regfrigerator! His mom served us food such as oysters, sushi, octupus, kimchi (of course) and many other Korean side dishes. His brother and mom spoke to me in the little English that they know, asking my name, saying hello, etc.

    Adventure #3: Korean Wedding

    It was short and sweet as weddings here are not so formal. The bride wears a white gown, which is the only similarity between Korean and American weddings. The ceremony was about 30 minutes and following was dinner accommodated by Soju. So you see the show, you eat, you leave.

    I’m not sure what my next adventures will be. I think that since adventures just happen to me here, I’m going to go with it and just report them here. Some things I would like to do this year include playing piano again, taking a yoga class, sewing/knitting class, and probably the most important: love. Love has always been my motivation. But the challenge will be to learn to accept it in whatever form it enters my life rather than changing it into what I think it should be. Because I’ve learned…it really never is what I think it should be. So love…the ultimate adventure. I might have found it, and I’ll post more on that next time.

     
  • Unknown's avatar

    AG 2:45 pm on January 19, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    Since my life in Korea over the past eight months has been a series of random and unexpected adventures, I thought it would be a nice twist to actually plan some adventures. The unplanned adventures I have experienced since the start of 2010 include celebrating my first New Year’s Eve/Day in a foreign country and being a guest at the home of a Korean family. Adventure #3 will be to attend a Korean wedding this weekend. I will share more details about Adventures 1,2, and 3 next post!

     
    • wip78's avatar

      wip78 4:27 am on January 20, 2010 Permalink

      I’m so glad you joined:) Can’t wait to read more!

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