Tag Archives: Seoul

Head In The Flowers

2012_04_28 Wondering around Seoul

2012_04_28 Wondering around SeoulApr 27, 2012Photos: 39
 

Saturday morning I was out the door before the sun peaked the horizon behind our apartment. I had a train to catch for a hair appointment in Seoul. I could already tell today was going to be a good day. The air was much warmer than most mornings in April.

I couldn’t get over how green everything was from the rain we had over the week. I literally walked around with my head in the flowers. Snapping pictures every few feet. I would have drove Mr. B completely batty. To say I took full advantage of my day alone is an understatement. Days like this are what I live for, why I fell in love with living abroad. I can’t really explain the feeling that comes over me, it’s just a strange comfort. Whatever it is, I hope to always hold on to the feeling within me.

After my appointment I sought out to find the kimchi pot lady and her little shop located near the US Army Yongsan base. I was so proud of myself finding the location on my own, however, the shop was closed! No dice on this plan. You have to know by now that I typically always try to have a plan B in the event of such luck.

Ajoshi, to Insadong! I caught a cab and went to Insadong. Stumbled upon homemade vanilla bean soft serve ice-cream. Found the little somethings that I was looking for and a summer scarf! Mission accomplished.

On my way to locate subway line 1, I found a vegetarian restaurant. I saved the menu you to share with you all. Again, totally taking full advantage of my alone with me time, of course I ate there.

maoz menu

As you can see the restaurant is called Maoz, and I must tell you this was my very first experience with trying a falafel. what’s the verdict? Pretty tasty! For those of you unfamiliar with what a falafel, it’s a deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Usually served in a pita bread, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. Maoz served their falafel balls in a nice fresh pita. The best part is after they fry and stuff your pita with the falafel, you head to to the topping bar and create the rest your way. You top with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. MMmmmm!

The only disappointing and confusing part to me is that the menu serves kimchi and bulgogi. I’m not certain but the last time I checked these two foods were not vegetarian friendly? Also, the toppings bar didn’t include a typical eggplant or tahini option. Otherwise, loved it!

After my late lunch I decided it was time to catch the subway back home.

When I got home I decided to check on our patio garden I believe we mentioned it few postings back. It had taken me a little time to find a long window box to grow all our veggies. Finally, after endless searching I gave up, did some improvising, used Mr. b’s handy work, and atlas I had something to work with. I was delighted to see that We now how little sprots poking up. I’ll keep you all posted as our garden continues to grow.

Happy weekending!

Catch Up

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Sorry, I’ve been MIA a few days… I’ve been a bit under the weather. Oh! speaking of weather…

Forecast:
It’s raining, it’s pouring….
Mrs. B:
Happy, yes! Everything’s turning beautiful shades of green. Not to mention the weather is soothing when I’m a feeling a bit under the weather.

You see, often rain brings a certain sentimental longing of the past…
Slowly driving home, the wet pavement, the little Korean school kids dressed in cute rain boots and matching umbrellas, Elderly Korean couples out strolling (a little rain doesn’t keep them indoors) tree’s bark soaked and black.

Crisp air, land of the morning calm fog.
Snuggled up in our big comfy over-sized chair reading a book, listening to the rain lightly tap against the window.
I just can’t get enough of it.

A Rainy Spring Night

Is there anything better than…
enjoying a delectable chicken breast topped with mushrooms and onions cooked in sherry
sipping on a new white wine

on a rainy spring Saturday night

while watching Julie and Julia with the love of your life?
I think not.
Bon Appétit!

Blossoms

Today, while most of Korea was still sleeping (including Mr. B), I snuck out into our apartment complex and snapped a few photos of the cherry blossom trees before the rain forecasted for today and all of tomorrow set in.

2012_04_21 Cherry Blossoms at home

 

Yes, I graced the world with my bare shins for the first time in at least six months.
While snapping I realized that my legs were as white as some of the blossoms I was capturing.
But, I didn’t care. (Don’t worry no scary photos included!)

Honestly, I am not sure what my obsession with these trees are. I know I drive Mr. B crazy when we are walking under them and my head and eyes are pointed straight up to the sky with my feet barely shuffling. I’m mesmerized by the beauty of the blossoms. When the wind blows, the delicate flowers fall from their branches, covering the earth like a blanket of pink snow. It is such a magical experience that I look forward to each Spring.

(Hmmm…another lost in translation shot?)
I made it in just enough time, as I was wrapping up I felt tiny spritzes of rain starting to fall from the sky.
Happy Weekend & of course Happy Spring!

 

Crannies

Just some crannies of our South Korean life
according to that little iPhone of mine 😉
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1. Can it really be?! Bits of green and teeny flowers springing up!

2.These two obviously up to no good...

3. From the snow storm this week

4.The snow-covered mountain view from my work

5.Peaceful sunset over the subway station

6.mMMmm Chilsung Cider. We may or may not be a little overly obsessed. Plus it's still served in a glass bottle what's not to love?!

7. Always a blast sharing our favorite chicken place with good friends

8. Hmmmm.....

9.Miss Beanicus Maximus go-to position, laying on anything I'm working on

10.No post can be complete without including a picture of the light, fluffy, Korean strawberry cream cake I enjoyed this week

Unexpected

You know that unexpected moment when a dear friend text’s you to see what you are doing, they are in need of a girls day, you end up meeting them while out doing your casual Saturday randomness? Of course they are looking smashing…and you on the other hand woke up that morning not thinking you’d run in to anyone you knew because let’s face it…your in Korea! You left the house basically keeping it real. Forget about really trying to tame your frazzles, that never even crossed your mind. Then, you are having so much fun chatting, warming up over some 20,000KRW Budae Jjigae,eating od’ing on sweets (come on folks FREE Krispy Kreme’s you know you can’t pass that up), walking around finding strange boutique with doll heads, arms, and legs detached, odd Engrish statements, and just plain laughing that you feel like you need to document it…no matter how hideous you look? Yeah, that happened to me today. Love you K! Thanks for the unexpected girls day!

2012_03_31 Ladies Weekend

2012_03_31 Ladies WeekendMar 31, 2012Photos: 17
 

I was scolded for taking pictures in the Too Cool For School cosmetic boutique. Reasoning was that this was their brand….no comment. Check out the oddly shaped mushroom puff to apply BB Cream.

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We walked almost ran home once off the train because the sun set and the temperature dropped.

It took me very little time to snuggle into the rest of my Saturday night with a hot cup of chai spice black tea and some Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

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Good Night Loves!

Scenes From The Weekend

Whew! Weekend recap…. Sitting here with a nice cup of tea (complements to our friend Katya and her mother for sharing her garden herbs) and enjoying a tasty piece of toast with strawberry jam.

Rainy Friday, snow squall Saturday, and a Sunny but windy Sunday…

2012_03_24_Weekend Fun

2012_03_24_Weekend FunMar 18, 2012Photos: 22
 

What are the Bees to do with themselves when their original plans fell to the wayside because of mother nature’s indecisiveness?

Well, of course we just don’t let it get us down! Ha, that’s right! (Enter in a judo-chop) Take that mother nature! 😉

We celebrated our good friends birthday this weekend with dinner and drinks at Zelens (Bulgarian cuisine). We walked around Itaewon, where they showed us a hidden little gem called the Hidden Address (no pun intended). The Hidden Address is a vintage shop with a little coffee shop too. It really is a hidden address, located off the beaten path of the main street flowing through Itaewon. We loved it! Everything from the look of the building on the outside to the clean style inside called out to us. Thanks for sharing with us guys!

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Our group

 

Throw in a morning waking up and seeing snow on the mountain! Yes! Snow! Comeeee on paaaallleeeaaasseee! Where is Spring?! The grandparents told us it’s been in the 80’s (and don’t forget this is central PA we are talking about).

Back at our place, we met up with some more of our friends this weekend and filled our bellies with some Budae jjigae. We couldn’t not think of anything more perfect to eat with the craziness of the weather. (Double negative-our high school english teacher’s ears are currently burning). The soup was awesome! However be prepared to smell like garlic the rest of the day. It worked out well for us Bees, we both smelled pretty ripe, however we smelled ripe together so it didn’t matter. If you remember from an earlier post Mrs. B ate Budae Jjigae in Uijeongbu, where the soup is pretty famous. This soup is MMmmmmm Mmmmm good!

I hope your weekend was as great as ours!

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We’ve Got One….

Thats right! After one missed highway exit that caused us to have to pay two highway toll fees, an hour standing at the little rest stop Hi pass office dealing with a sweet ajumma telling us she needed a business number confused by a US social security number, a teenage Korean Hollys coffee Barista translator, major props to our Russian Korean translator, and a very helpful little adashi that walked us through the Hi Pass paperwork and process AND let us drive out the back gate of the Seoul Hi Pass place to avoid toll charges, we Bees FINALLY have a Hi pass!! (breathe)

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(Our neat little Korean Hi Pass)

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(Now the Korean Navi has some Korean technology company on the dash)

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(Seoul Hi Pass building located on Highway 1)

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(Woot-woot!! Hi Pass lane!!)

We know what you are thinking. Honestly, why all this excitement about a toll pass? We had one in the states called an ez pass. In Korea they are basically the same. Well, they serve the same purpose. You don’t have to stop and physically had money at each toll booth. The pass allows you to sail right on by charging your pass.

The Korean Hi-Pass comes in different models all telling you one way or another just how much you have left on your pass. The model we purchased is solar powered so it doesn’t need to be charged or have cords dangling from it. It can be pre paid and recharged at any rest stop, or directly linked to your Korean credit card.

Pretty neat!!

We’re excited because now we can use the blue Hi Pass lane and keep on our merry traveling way.

Seoul-Some Saturday!

Its Saturday! Wowie plans have certainly changed a few dozen times!

Finally, we were able to lock in some plans. Mr. B’s friend was in Korea for work a short time too! We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take him around. Off to Seoul we go.

2012_02_25 Bog Visit Korea

2012_02_25 Bog Visit KoreaFeb 25, 2012Photos: 21
 

First, we went to Namdaumun market. We walked around and let Bog experience some of the korean marketplace craziness. You know..yelling, getting body checked by teeny tiny ajumas, trying the kings beard candy, eat hoddeok, and check out the tourist goodies.

After walking around a bit we hailed a cab and told the cab driver to take us to Dongdaemun. Once inside he basically laughed and said that we needed to walk because it was only a few blocks away. So we got back out and walked a few blocks down and arrived. More shops and sights to see…and crowds to fight!

By now it was time for dinner. Again, hailed a cab. This time successful! Headed to the Maple Tree House (Danpungnamujip) located right behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon.

This was the first time we ate at the Maple Tree House. However, this was not the first time we Bees tried to find this restaurant. Ha Ha! Longgggg story.

After a nice dinner we walked back around the Hamilton Hotel in search of some dessert. We all agreed Paris Baguette. Ahhh!! In other words…heaven! Mr. B’s friend treated us to scrumptious Vanilla lattes and cookie cream puffs.

What a perfect way to end our Saturday night! We eagerly look forward to Mr. B’s visit again to Korea sometime soon!!