I feel like TOMS and potbingsu pretty much sums up a spring or summertime dream here in Korea.
You know, I’ve been thinking about friendships again lately. With life, friendships come and go. In an expat community this is rather typical and pretty much the norm. One of the best parts about being an expat with a new-found friendship is that you have another connection to a different world. A world that you might not be familiar with and luckily you get to experience that little piece of the world through your friend.
What about you, do you think that each of our friendships with individuals represents a world in us, a world still forming or possibly not even born until they arrive?
This past weekend I met Kelsey at Namdamun Market. Unfortunately it was Sunday and I failed to realize that the buildings where we really wanted to go were closed. Oops… sorry Kelsey.
It wasn’t a total bust, we picked up some kumquat, watermelon and Ya-chae Ho-tteok stuffed full of jap-chae noodles. After walking around the market a bit, we headed to Myeongdong because it was so close to walk to. Kelsey showed me a few little boutiques that she visited the week prior and wanted to share, and then I shared the Artbox store with Kelsey. The Artbox is a cute little store with all sorts of stationary and wacky little gifts. Kelsey was on the hunt for a hot water tea kettle and she was able to pick one up in the Artbox for only 11,000W practically $11US Dollars. Score!
After visiting the markets, Kelsey asked if I wanted to check out a park that she also went to the prior week with a friend. The sun was shining and the day was absolutely gorgeous, so of course we went! We ended up at Yeouido Hangang Riverside Park 여의도 한강공원. Also known as Korea’s Manhattan, or the financial district. A very clean well-groomed part of Seoul. It was very easy to see why this area is so popular with its lush parks and attractive riverfront area.
We grabbed drinks and a potbingsu to go at a local convenience store/cafe. We found a nice quiet spot where we kicked back, slipped of our TOMS, dipped our feet in the cool water, took photos, talked and people watched (prime people watching territory… check out all of the couples wearing matching outfits, or riding tandem bikes!). All ranking high on my top list of things to do! We’ve made plans for a near future picnic too, now all I need is to locate a good picnic basket. Guess you will have to stay tuned in until next time.
Addresses:
Namdaemun Market
49, Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Subway Line 4 at Seoul Station → Exit No. 5 in Hoehyeon Station
Closes every Sunday/Open 09:00 ~ 19:00
Namdaemun Market Tourist Information ☎ 02-752-1913
http://www.namdaemunmarket.net/
Myeongdong Market
Transfer to Subway Line 4 at Seoul Station → Exit No. 2 in Myeongdong Station
Myeongdong Tourist Information ☎ 02-774-3238
Yeouido Hangang Park
330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 330 (여의도동)
Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2 or 3.
The flowers are breathtaking and the scenery as well…so glad you and Kelsey are having such a great time.
I cannot wait to show you too! Kelsey is such blast and soooo sweet! We are truly blessed to have her here with us. Happy Easter to you guys too! We miss and love you all!
Thanks…did you get our card yet?
I don’t believe so… I will ask Larry tonight. We will let you know right away. Thank you in advance for the card!!
Oh my goodness! All of your pictures are incredible, but I’m dying over those tulips! There’s still snow everywhere here, it’ll be quite some time before we get our own tulips 🙁
Glad to see you enjoying a newfound friendship with Kelsey, and I hope you have a happy Easter!
Awe! Thank you Laura! Your comment is too sweet. I really hope that you guys get some Spring and warmth sometime really soon. That weather on the East Coast is just crazy! Happy Easter to you as well.
Looks like fun! And I want your snack like WHOA.
Canada has been having some crazy fun weather lately (it was 20 degrees a few days ago, -10 the day after). Looking at all these photos makes me long for a spring that will apparently never come.
Ohhhh no! That 20 degree weather stuff is the pits. Not fun at all. I am sorry! I hope that Spring is on the way for your sake in the arctic of Canada. 😉
wow, nice photo and nice info! yeah, in may i’m going to South Korea, but just for a few day (T-T)