Went to the Han River and got the opportunity to enjoy these Jet Skiers enjoying themselves
Took a trip down the Han River with the Hangang River Cruise today, and it was just as wonderful as I remembered. The sky was pretty foggy, so my pictures weren’t as crisp, but in real life it was just mind-blowing. I think I truly fell in love with Seoul the first time I took this cruise. Before then, I was enjoying my visit and I had started to get used to my surroundings and the excitement of the trip. But it was after this cruise that it really felt like home there. There is a difference from feeling like a guest made comfortable and feeling like this is where you belong. The Han River makes me feel like I belong.
Perhaps it’s because I was raised alongside the Mississippi, but there is just something truly magical about floating down a huge expanse of water, listening to the bobbing waves mixing with crooning lyrics from the radio as you are encompassed by the dark, lit only by the cityscape on either side and the multi-colored lights lining the bridges. It’s hard to explain, and photos (which fail to encompass sound, or smell, or feelings) can never even come close to doing it justice. With the moon above you, and the world passing by on either side, you just feel awed. Yes, that’s the word I”m looking for–Awed. So much so that I put my camera down for the last half of the trip, and just sat there. Quietly, alone with my thoughts and with the world on pause. Maybe I”ll go back tomorrow.
Yes, all you English Majors in the world out there, be very, very jealous. For today, I was placed into a HUGE auditorium filled with books, and authors, and publishers, and it just keeps going! It was reader’s heaven! So many books out there that I had never heard of (mostly because the vast majority were in foreign languages 😛 ).
First opening in 1995, the Seoul International Book Fair has been going strong ever since. Every year the Korea Publishers Assn. hosts the event, which this year is at the COEX Exhibition Hall from June 19- June 23. You can by your ticket at the ticket booth next to the exhibition hall, and then enter into a book-lover’s (and child’s) wonderland.
Instead of being one of those places where children with sticky Continue reading
I’m Back!
Yes, it’s me, the Procrastinating writer. Once again I fail to keep this up-to-date with my travels. But today, you are in luck! I come with fresh photos and news about my venture into the Seoul Rose Garden Festival today.
To clear up some confusion (I admit to being one of those bewildered), there are two names here to take into account. The Rose Theme Garden is the name of the location/garden. It is open 365 days a year and can be viewed at any time. It boasts of 20,000+ Roses in nearly 300+ varieties, but there are many other kinds of flowers as well. You can find dozens of little ponds, Continue reading
I have been blessed over the last few weeks to see lots of examples of really great dads. So here, in honor of all those great men out there, are some of the pictures I’ve collected. ❤
I’ve never been to an unfamiliar place. It’s true. In spite of all my travels and the many changes that I ran into along the way, I always feel right at home when visiting new lands. Admittedly, I’ve never been to the heart of wild Africa. Or the jungles of South America. Really, I’ve only been to pretty advanced locations. But still, when asking me about a foreign country, people always seem surprised when I say it was easy to adapt to.
They point to the difference in religion, food, and styles of clothing. And then comes the big sentence: “But the language is different!” they respond as though this summarizes everything. And to them, it does. That little change in means of speaking makes foreign countries seem like planets in a far away galaxy. Something exciting and exotic, but entirely unfamiliar. And to go there is to enter the land of OZ, where roads are made of yellow and everything is new and (shudder) different.
So I’ve taken to explaining it like this:
Well, I hate to have to tell you this, but I can never, ever live in Korea. It’s impossible. It’ll never work. For one thing, I’d never stop getting distracted by so many cute guys. And real gentlemen too! I fell full onto a dude on the subway today (and I’m no lightweight) and he didn’t say anything even remotely close to Ooomph. Instead he had me hold onto his shoulder straps for his book bag and talked with me the rest of the trip. Smiling. With gorgeous eyes. Did I mention he was hot?!?
See! I told you I would get sidetracked. Back to what I was saying. I just cannot make a home here because my head would be so big there would be no living with me. Seriously. I was stopped 6+ times today (no exaggeration) for people wanting to touch my hair (I’m blonde in a sea of Black-headed people) and tell me how “shiny” and “yeoppuda” (pretty in Korean). That or they wanted to feel my skin (I’m pretty much pure German and extremely fair) to tell me how “pure” and “white” and “oohhhh” it was. People kept telling me how beautiful I was all day long. And let me tell you, boy did I eat it up. Kinda put a bounce in my step and I can’t stop smiling. That would never happen in the US.
I even got felt up! I went to the Dragon Hill Spa today (where you are naked in the women’s rooms) and wasn’t looking while putting my stuff in the locker. Suddenly this hand grabs on to parts better left unmentioned. I look down and see the cutest kid. A 1-2 year old boy had gotten away from his mom and was staring back and forth between me and her. He had a hold of me and just wouldn’t let go. 0_0 I think it’s cause I”m blonde and he’s not used to it? The Mother died of embarrassment. I’m pretty sure she’s still red in the face. So was I. Talk about Awkward! But the grannies in the room cracked up and couldn’t stop rolling on the floor laughing. At least he blew me kisses goodbye so he’s not a total grab and run. Lol!
Two days ago, I officially made my sad goodbyes to the wonderful people I met in Kyoto. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing folks, both in the program (like my absolutely fabulous roommate) and on the streets of the city itself (like our totally sweet and awesome hair cutter/stylist at the Noel Salon on Shijo-dori near the corner of Shijo and Senbon–you should definitely check her out). I got some amazing pictures and great adventures were had by all 🙂 Everything from washing our hair in Shampoo and then Body Wash because it looked like Conditioner (stupid look alike bottles) to finding a restaurant that offered Beef Tongue and Grilled Horse meat (true story–it also served beef gristle; you know the stuff you cannot eat off your steak?!?). We got lost so many times, but every time met someone or ran into some awesome landmark that made up for it. We found new favorite restaurants (Anri in Porta at Kyoto Station is DELICIOUS!), favorite hang-outs (loved wandering around the riverside at Arashiyama), and new best friends.
“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city” ~ Roman Payne
Language Translation
Deceptively Blonde 