tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44224743752628745952024-03-19T16:25:26.471+09:00i'm a wandering soul.a blog to chronicle my experience of moving to and living in south korea.zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-34043222338731513332015-03-12T14:05:00.002+09:002016-03-23T12:05:46.447+09:00The road goes ever on and on...As some of you may have surmised, this blog isn't terribly active anymore. This is largely due to the fact that I left Korea last November, after three wonderful years, and am now living in New Zealand.<br />
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My boyfriend and I headed to New Zealand about a month ago, and are here on working holiday visas. We miss Korea, but it was just time to move on to something new. New Zealand seemed like an amazing opportunity, so here we are!<br />
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Don't worry though, this blog isn't going anywhere -- so all entries will stay up, along with all the info. I'll continue to moderate this blog, respond to comments, and reply to emails. Hell, I may even post in this again someday, since I have so, so much stuff about Korea that's yet to be published.<br />
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And! If you want to keep up with my current travels, add me on <a href="https://instagram.com/zannahrose/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, especially if you really just came here to look at pretty pictures. :)<br />
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Thanks for reading! I hope you keep reading, too, so stick around! <3 p=""></3>zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-91406685233579257312014-11-19T01:36:00.001+09:002014-11-19T01:51:32.615+09:00Korea Bucket List: Seoraksan National ParkSitting high on my <a href="http://zannahtravels.blogspot.kr/p/korea-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Korea Bucket Li</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://zannahtravels.blogspot.kr/p/korea-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">st</a> for the past three years has been Seoraksan National Park. I don't have a single good reason for why it took me so long to make it out there, but I'm definitely kicking myself for putting if off for so long. A couple weekends ago, Corey and I took a trip with <a href="http://www.adventurekorea.com/" target="_blank">Adventure Korea</a> out to this famous park to soak up the cooling fall weather and do some hiking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211" target="_blank">S</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211" target="_blank">eoraksan National Park</a> is located in northeastern Korea, about three to four hours driving distance from Seoul. The park itself is massive -- 398.5 km</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">² (over 98,000 acres!), with <i>so</i> many hikes and trekking courses to potentially follow. The weekend we spent in the park definitely wasn't enough, and I really wish I'd made more trips to the park during my time in Korea. (So let that be a lesson to you, readers! Don't follow my terrible example!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The day we arrived, we hiked the popular <a href="http://english.knps.or.kr/Experience/ParkContent.aspx?SEQUEN=8&ParkDiv=14&HikDiv02=01&MenuNum=1&Submenu=Npp&Third=HikingCourses&Fourth=01" target="_blank">Ulsanbawi course</a>, which is probably one of the tougher hikes I've done in Korea. While being far from being the tallest peak in the park (that would be Daecheongbang, standing at 1,708 meters), Ulsanbawi is known for its unrelenting stairs and the stunning view from the top. The jagged rocks along the ridge of nearby peaks has made the view from Ulsanbawi become one of the <a href="http://d1vmp8zzttzftq.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/famous-ulsanbawi-rock-against-the-fog-seorak-mountains-at-the-seorak-san-national-park-south-korea-1600x1064.jpg" target="_blank">iconic</a> <a href="https://klimbingkoreanmountains.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/imgp3391.jpg" target="_blank">photo</a> spots of Seoraksan National Park. Looking forward to this, we steeled ourselves for the stairs. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">However, as we set off for Ulsanbawi, we looked doubtfully up at the clouds that obscured the mountain peaks. Not only was it threatening rain, but if we did make it to the top, it looked like we wouldn't be able to see a damn thing. The rain held off during the hike, and when we got to the top, this was our surreal view: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRakpVPPXhj-yRD90E0P-dmvpJj_JfSali-FvnWepez4KZnlXjhkRE3SzqffPS8ZqdJS3dHM4IUUk-k4gAwy2DZRp29ZNkln2PaSG6DtrL4_Jcb5UxkIWlB5PLDb8yqJY-RnFlK63R_J7/s1600/zseoraksan3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRakpVPPXhj-yRD90E0P-dmvpJj_JfSali-FvnWepez4KZnlXjhkRE3SzqffPS8ZqdJS3dHM4IUUk-k4gAwy2DZRp29ZNkln2PaSG6DtrL4_Jcb5UxkIWlB5PLDb8yqJY-RnFlK63R_J7/s1600/zseoraksan3.JPG" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">So, no rocks spiking along the tops of mountains, and instead, blue-grey <i>nothingness</i>. While I would advise you to keep an eye on the weather, hiking into a cloud and being surrounded by sound-muffling fog was a new level of bizarre, but also something I'm happy to have gotten to see. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The hike itself isn't very long -- we went all the way up, with numerous rest breaks along the way, took photos, enjoyed our accomplishment, and made it all the way back down in under four hours. The stairs are punishing, especially the steep stretches that are literally affixed to the rock face, but while blogs online will say this hike is a rough one, it isn't impossible, and I highly recommend doing it. </span></span><br />
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Feeling rather jelly-legged after the Ulsanbawi hike, we opted for leisurely trekking on our second day, following the <a href="http://english.knps.or.kr/Experience/ParkContent.aspx?SEQUEN=6&ParkDiv=14&HikDiv02=01&MenuNum=1&Submenu=Npp&Third=HikingCourses&Fourth=01" target="_blank">Yongso Falls course</a> through Jujeon valley. This route took us along a small river that snaked through the valley, showing off the impressive mountains above us. The path to the waterfall was under construction, so we weren't able to see it, but we still had fun climbing on the rocks in the river and taking photos of the scenery. Note the dazzlingly blue sky that would've been awesome for the Ulsanbawi hike... -_-<br />
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Along this course, we also stopped at some of the natural springs to drink the <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1738742" target="_blank">Osaek mineral water</a>. Osaek means five flavors, and drinking the mineral water is said to be good for digestion and upset stomachs. There are a couple spots at the start of the course where the mineral water can be scooped from holes inside of the rocky riverbank. The water had an interesting taste -- very metallic and bitter. The area surrounding the valley also has numerous spas where you can soak in the mineral water to relax aching muscles.<br />
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Seoraksan National Park was stunning, and it's definitely on my list of spots to someday revisit.<br />
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For more information about the park, visit its <a href="http://english.knps.or.kr/Knp/Seoraksan/Intro/Introduction.aspx?MenuNum=1&Submenu=Npp" target="_blank">official website</a>. If you're interested in doing a tour with Adventure Korea, check their <a href="http://www.adventurekorea.com/" target="_blank">schedule here</a>.zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-44129251680685646912014-11-17T13:44:00.000+09:002014-11-17T13:50:37.697+09:00Korea & Its Cafes: Animal Edition<span style="background-color: white;">Do you miss your pet(s) from home? Do you enjoy looking at sheep? Do you have calloused feet? I know these questions might seem a little odd, but read on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cafe culture in Korea is serious business -- I can't spit without hitting a cafe in my neighborhood. In addition to your run of the mill coffee shops, cafes with specific themes abound. In my time in Korea, I've visited a </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">board game cafe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">the Mustoy cafe</span><span style="background-color: white;">, but I have to admit, I've always been the most excited about the availability of a completely different cafe theme: <i>animals</i>. And now that it's starting to get cold here in Korea, it's the perfect time to hang out indoors! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here are the four animal-themed cafes I've visited so far, listed in order of my least to most favorite.</span><br />
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Sheep Cafe</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">This cafe, which is actually called Thanks Nature Cafe, is located in Hongdae, Seoul. It's cute, with sheep-related paintings and decorations hanging inside the cafe. We tried coffee, some ades, and a dessert while we were there, and all were decent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The draw of this cafe, as I'm sure you've guessed, is their sheep. Don't expect a flock -- to my knowledge they only have two. They don't seem to typically be wandering around freely, either. Instead, they're in a small pen on the patio outside the actual coffee shop. You can snap pictures and watch them, but that's about it. Overall: so-so. The novelty is fun for a few minutes, then it wears off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Information:</span> Check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TNcafe" target="_blank" title="their Facebook page">their Facebook page</a> for more info. The cafe is located in the basement of its building, so when you go looking for it, keep an eye out for the sign in the photo above. </span><br />
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Dr. Fish Cafe</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes, your feet are just gnarly and you need a bunch of little fish to munch on the dead skin.</span><br />
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<img alt="korea animal theme cafes" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zanicafe3-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1399817094441" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sensation is a strange one -- it kind of tickles, but it also doesn't. I didn't notice a huge change in the softness of my feet after letting the fish have at it, but that was probably because I couldn't stand to keep my feet in the pool for very long at a time. I also opted for the much smaller fish, as the larger ones (as seen in the photo on the left) just freaked me out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You do need to order a drink to do Dr. Fish, and then the cost for Dr. Fish is just a couple thousand won per 15 minutes. These cafes also seem to always offer a bread buffet (baguette slices, cake-like bread, butter, and jam), complete with toasters to warm up the slices. Overall: weird, but cool. Definitely one to check out, even if the feeling (or general concept) of the fish freaks you out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Information:</span> Of the two Dr. Fish cafes I've been to, the one in Gangnam is the nicest. To get there, walk straight from exit 10 of Gangnam station. You'll walk for about 5 minutes, then the cafe is on the second floor of a building on your left. </span><br />
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Cat Cafe</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not lacking in cat snuggles personally, since my boyfriend adopted a cat from a shelter outside of Seoul, but a cafe <em>full</em> of cats still got my attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before you can pet and cuddle all the cats in these cafes, you're required to purchase a drink, which essentially serves as your admission fee. Drinks are pricier here, usually closer to 8,000 won or so, but it's worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was impressed with how clean this particular cat cafe was, so I feel like they take good care of the cats. You can buy a can of food or little treats for the cats, which will make them swarm you, which is basically heaven for cat lovers. Overall: awesome. Cats are so weird.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Information:</span> Cat cafes seem to be everywhere, so instead of providing detailed directions, I will point you in the direction of <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/?Tag=cat" target="_blank" title="these previous Aclipse blogs">these blogs</a>. In popular areas of Seoul, such as Myeongdong or Hongdae, just keep an eye out for someone in a Garfield costume -- they work for a cat cafe and can easily point you in the right direction!</span><br />
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Dog Cafe</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best for last -- because I do believe that dog cafes are magical places. I'm a dog lover to a possibly neurotic degree, and when I moved to Korea, I had to leave my darling miniature schnauzer with my parents. Spending time at the dog cafe helps fill the canine-shaped hole in my heart.</span><br />
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<img alt="korea animal theme cafes" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zanicafe5-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1399817218460" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While smaller dog cafes seem to be popping up more and more, the most well known dog cafe would be the Bau House in the Hongdae area of Seoul. This cafe operates by the same rules as cat cafes: buy a drink, play with animals. There's also a variety of treats to buy, which will make you quite popular with the dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some dogs only want to hang out with you for the treats you have, but others seem to just enjoy the attention. There are usually a few dogs happy to curl up next to you and have their head scratched. The only off-putting part of this cafe is that it is dirtier, as dogs are wont to be, but the staff is quick to swoop in and clean up. Overall: THE BEST. Because dogs. Obviously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Information:</span> Bau House is located near exit 3 of Hapjeong Station. Make a right as you leave the exit, then walk down the nearest alley to the left, keeping an eye out for the sign to your right. There are also other dog cafes in Seoul, but I haven't checked any of them out yet. For more of my ramblings about my love for dog cafes, check out <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2012/03/korea-bucket-list-bau-house-dog-cafe.html" target="_blank">this entry from 2012</a>.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you visited any of the animal cafes in Korea? Do you know of any that I didn't mention? Leave a comment below! </span></em></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-21382747749013834832014-09-09T23:11:00.001+09:002016-07-30T12:25:23.472+09:00Getting Lost in the Ihwa Mural Village<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>UPDATE: The mural village has been permanently closed, due to tourist traffic disrupting the community. I'll leave this entry up, as it's full of photos and the history of the neighborhood, but its murals have been painted over. :( </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After nearly three years in Korea, I feel like I've managed to see a lot of stuff. Loads of the touristy spots, tons of festivals, and even a fair amount of the quirkier activities. Overall, I feel pretty accomplished. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I now have about three months left in Korea and... well, the "Korea To-Do" note on my phone is absurdly and intimidatingly lengthy... [Seriously, what you see on my <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/p/korea-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Bucket List</a> is just a handful of the mess that is the disorganized list of things I've jotted down in my phone...]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been quite proactive lately, checking out new places weekly. Recently, I was able to cross a slightly-less-well-known spot off of the list in my phone by visiting the Ihwa Mural Village. </span><br />
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My friends and I had decided to head to the <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1850476" target="_blank">Ihwa Mural Village</a> after reading about it online. Murals scattered on the walls of houses in a neighborhood? Sounds awesome. That was basically all we knew as we set out for our sightseeing. Since then, while researching the area for this blog, I've learned quite a bit about its history, and it's pretty cool.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As Seoul has grown over the years, certain neighborhoods have been forgotten in the rapid development. T</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he ones situated on the sides of mountains remained somewhat untouched for a long time due to their undesirable location and poorer demographic. They're called </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">dal dongnae</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, or moon villages, since being on a mountain puts them closer to the moon. While many have been demolished in recent years in favor of fancy, modern architecture, a few have survived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The neighborhood of Ihwa-dong is one of these moon villages, situated on Naksan ("san" meaning mountain), and it houses the murals we went to see. Stepping foot into this area is like a time warp. Steep hills, narrow alleys, and surprising silence. There are no cars or delivery bikes zooming along, and the area is devoid of neon signs, making it feel like you aren't even in Seoul anymore, much less the 21st century. While I do think that the typical row after row of high-rise apartment buildings looks cool (and also makes me think of <a href="http://inception.wikia.com/wiki/Limbo" target="_blank">this</a>), these smaller, old-fashioned homes all stacked right next to each other are far more picturesque and charming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The beautification of Ihwa-dong is similar to the project undertaken in 2010 to save <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103128/Travel-to-3-secret-beautiful-locations-in-South-Korea" target="_blank">Hongje-dong</a>, or the "Ant Village," as well as <a href="http://blog.naver.com/kwwoolim/100092662158" target="_blank">other areas</a> in Korea. Over sixty murals fill Ihwa-dong, painted as part of the "ART in the City 2006" campaign by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a way to rejuvenate the image of these smaller, older neighborhoods. To quote the Seoul Metropolitan Government's <a href="http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004003002006&p=en&art_id=334&lang=en" target="_blank">website about Ihwa-dong</a>, the idea behind this project was to <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">"improve living conditions through practical and financial help and support, as well as giving the area an artistic and cultural makeover." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Artists were hired, murals were mapped out, and now it's a tourist destination.<i style="line-height: 18px;"> </i>Some of the houses have even been converted into restaurants and cafes, seizing the opportunity for revenue from all the wandering tourists. We spotted a lot of other tourists and photographers as we walked around, and we even stumbled (quite literally) onto the set of what looked like a new drama... No clue which drama, but we stopped to watch as one of the actors had a very pensive moment at someone's rooftop door, stru<span style="font-family: inherit;">ggling internally over whether or not he should knock. </span></span><br />
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While we wandered, we got distracted by finding part of the old Seoul City Wall, so mural-hunting was aband<span style="font-family: inherit;">oned for the day as we decided to hike up Naksan instead to catch a view of the city at sunset. But! I'm planning to head back to Ihwa-dong soon so I can get lost in its tiny alleys as I search for the murals that I missed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA8vXrM48o5-aRFUdJ9npPydJHw-C42krPtQ4rYVsmxJFP0b0QtWXNh9oymUeig5hXZdkiOUi4JHb_cwrNtYqkZbEwzMyqnswrkuw-hGwt7JZtOJw9HGRS-QIThy2dITSMJIZ9s9ta-Ry/s1600/zihwa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA8vXrM48o5-aRFUdJ9npPydJHw-C42krPtQ4rYVsmxJFP0b0QtWXNh9oymUeig5hXZdkiOUi4JHb_cwrNtYqkZbEwzMyqnswrkuw-hGwt7JZtOJw9HGRS-QIThy2dITSMJIZ9s9ta-Ry/s1600/zihwa5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Words of advice:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Much like the <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/05/new-favorite-spot-bukchon-hanok-village.html" target="_blank">Bukchon Hanok Village</a>, this is a real neighborhood, so be respectful of the residents. Luckily, the majority of the murals are on walls that line the common areas, so you won't feel like a creep/intruder when you take pictures. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lots and lots of stairs and some areas have uneven pavement (it's on a mountain, after all), so keep that in mind when choosing your footwear for the day! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">While it's called "Ihwa Mural Village," don't confuse it with the area near Ewha Women's University! Very different areas, so follow the directions below so you can get their easily.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">While you're there, check out the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daehangno" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Daehangno</a> area that surrounds Hyehwa station -- it seemed like a really hip and interesting area, and one that I definitely want to revisit. </li>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hyehwa Station, Seoul Metro Line 4, Exit 2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go straight for 200m, then turn left onto the street called Dongsung-gil. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walk straight until you get to the Lock Museum. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">After about 50 meters, turn right onto the street called Naksan Gongson-gil and walk towards Naksan Park. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep an eye out for signs -- there will be some for Naksan Park, including maps that show you the different paths to take around Ihwa-dong. </span></li>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-66369637677074185412014-07-31T22:14:00.000+09:002014-09-06T23:25:31.655+09:00Exploring Korea: Easy Day Trips from Seoul<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots for sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/104233/Exploring-Korea-Easy-Day-Trips-from-Seoul" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">By "day trip" I mean just an hour or two of travel from Seoul, with activities that can be accomplished in one day, and time to get all the way home again before bed. Technically, anywhere in the entire country could be seen as a day trip as it's approximately the size of Indiana, but here are my favorite spots that are really easy to get to and from. </span></div>
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<img alt="nami island gapyeong korea " border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/znami14-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1405266727740" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There's absolutely plenty to keep you busy within Seoul's city limits, whether you live and work there or if you're trekking in for weekend adventures. That said, it's nice to escape from the big city every now and then to see a new area of Korea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some options: </span></div>
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Gapyeong</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just an hour away from Seoul via the ITX, Gapyeong is beautiful, mountainous, and full of cool things to see. Top of the list would obviously be the famous Nami Island, which I <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/07/korea-bucket-list-nami-island.html" target="_blank" title="blogged about last summer">blogged about last summer</a>. Nami is small, though so don't waste too much of your time on the island -- there's more in the area to check out! A shuttle bus, for only 5,000 won, does a giant loop between all the popular spots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nami Island is the closest to the train station, and from there it travels on to Petite France -- a small "French" style village smack in the middle of Korean mountains. I happened to visit Petite France with my sister, who just spent the last year teaching in France, and she said it was truly bizarre. </span><br />
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<img alt="petite france gapyeong korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zpetitefrance-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From there, you can catch the bus again and head out to the Garden of Morning Calm, which is absolutely stunning. This huge flower garden is open all year round, featuring an elaborate light festival in the winter months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">KTO has great info about <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1620926" target="_blank" title="Gapyeong travel here">Gapyeong travel here</a>. In addition, check out Trazy's pages on <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1889/Petite+France+%EC%81%98%EB%9D%A0+%ED%94%84%EB%9E%91%EC%8A%A4" target="_blank">Petite France</a> and the <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1846/Garden+of+the+Morning+Calm+%EC%95%84%EC%B9%A8%EA%B3%A0%EC%9A%94%EC%88%98%EB%AA%A9%EC%9B%90" target="_blank">Garden of Morning Calm</a>. </span><br />
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Suwon</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, I <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/06/suwons-hwaseong-fortress.html" target="_blank" title="wrote about Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress">wrote about Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress</a>, which is absolutely one of my favorite spots to hike in Korea. The architecture of the old fortress wall plus the landscape of new high-rise apartments is just a really striking combination. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span><br />
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<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zsuwon1-resized-600.jpg" id="img-1405310477752" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to the fortress, you can also hop on a bus to the Folk Village. I visited the Folk Village one year during the Chuseok holiday and it was bustling with activities and performances -- all of which are part of their regular schedule. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">See the <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/378/Suwon+Hwaseong+Fortress+%EC%88%98%EC%9B%90+%ED%99%94%EC%84%B1" target="_blank">Trazy page for more information</a>.</span><br />
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Incheon</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously, I'm going to include the city I've called home for the past two and a half years, but that's not just favoritism talking. Check out these <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/06/top-5-must-see-spots-in-incheon-south.html">two</a> <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/06/5-more-must-see-spots-in-incheon-korea.html" target="_blank" title="entries">entries</a> about the top things to see in Incheon. </span><br />
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<img alt="central park songdo incheon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcenpark-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1405310756664" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly, I would recommend the following: eat lunch in Chinatown, walk around Jayu Park while you digest, head over to Wolmido for some amusement park rides and street food snacks, then grab a bus or a cab into Songdo for a walk along Central Park's canal and some dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Travel info from Trazy: <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1882/Incheon+China+Town+%EC%9D%B8%EC%B2%9C+%EC%B0%A8%EC%9D%B4%EB%82%98%ED%83%80%EC%9A%B4" target="_blank">Chinatown</a> and <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1678/Jayu+Park+%EC%9E%90%EC%9C%A0%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90" target="_blank">Jayu Park</a>.</span><br />
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Paju</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paju" target="_blank">Paju</a> is typically known as the city that's closest to North Korea, as it sits on the 38th Parallel. It's also the city that you'll be in if you visit the DMZ. But, there's so much more to see in Paju than just the DMZ (though that is pretty cool, too). </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="heyri art village paju korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/188999_image2_1-resized-600.jpg" id="img-1405307618357" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While this remains on my <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/p/korea-bucket-list.html" target="_blank" title="Korea Bucket List">Korea Bucket List</a>, I've been told by numerous friends that the Heyri Art Village is a must-see spot. It's a community of artists that was built by artists. Cool restaurants, eye-catching architecture, as well as lots and lots of art will keep you busy wandering around and snapping pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, check out <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264537&nearBy=site" target="_blank" title="KTO's website">KTO's website</a>, and Trazy's information on both the <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/533/Heyri+Art+Valley++%ED%97%A4%EC%9D%B4%EB%A6%AC+%EB%AC%B8%ED%99%94%EC%98%88%EC%88%A0%EB%A7%88%EC%9D%84" target="_blank">Heyri Art Village</a> and on <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1305/Panmunjom+%ED%8C%90%EB%AC%B8%EC%A0%90" target="_blank">the DMZ</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, f</span>or the latest travel destinations, visit <a href="http://www.trazy.com/" target="_blank">Trazy</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you visited any of these spots? Do you know of any other great day trips from Seoul? Leave a comment below! </span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-60541922258618132902014-07-24T22:19:00.000+09:002014-09-06T23:10:28.646+09:00Seodaemun Prison<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">Always one for exploring museums and learning about history, I </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">finally</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;"> checked out a spot I'd really been interested in visiting: </span><a href="http://www.sscmc.or.kr/culture2/foreign/eng/eng01.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;" target="_blank" title="Seodaemun Prison History Hall">Seodaemun Prison History Hall</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">. During my </span>time in Korea<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">, I've been very interested in any opportunity to learn more about the country's past, and friends have told me this museum was not to be missed. Now that spring has sprung, it seemed like the prime time to walk around the prison's grounds in Seoul and take in the history of the place. </span></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun2-resized-600.jpg" id="img-1396298259526" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />The first building you'll come to upon entering -- start here! Lots of basic information of the prison's history is in this building, which will help you understand everything else.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To give a brief history lesson to contextualize the photos I took, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seodaemun_Prison" target="_blank" title="Seodaemun Prison">Seodaemun Prison</a> was opened in 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Gamok. As you may know from your history lessons, Japan invaded Korea, and at this point in time, Korea was considered a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan-Korea_Treaty_of_1905" target="_blank" title="protectorate">protectorate</a> of Japan. 1910 marked the official annexation of Korea by Japan, an occupation that lasted until the end of the World War II in 1945. </span><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun3-resized-600.jpg" id="img-1396298290526" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Original layout and size of the prison.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seodaemun, being operated by the Japanese, was a prison reserved primarily for Korean independence and freedom fighters. At the time the prison was built, it was the largest in Korea, with cells to house 500 people. However, over the course of Japan's occupation and the resistance movements by Korean activists, the number of people interned reached more than 3,000 around the time of the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919. </span><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun5-resized-600.jpg" id="img-1396235349843" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the buildings, looking foreboding.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After Korea's liberation in 1945, the prison remained in use until 1987. Then, in 1998, Seodaemun Prison History Hall was opened to commemorate dark history of the prison and its prisoners. 7 of the 15 buildings have been restored and all contain information for visitors about their historical significance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was fascinating, while also saddening, to learn about life in the prison. We were able to see not only an average cell but also look into the cells for solitary confinement. The basement of the main building was the area designated for interrogation and torture, so scenes depicting these have been recreated for visitors. </span><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun1-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1396298258653" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" /><em style="text-align: center;"></em><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun4-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Solitary confinement cells.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun6-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mannequin in one of the cells, showing how inmates would tap on the cell walls to communicate with each other.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun7-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun8-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photos of prisoners line the walls of a room in the main history building.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun9-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Box torture: prisoners were put into the box, which has spikes sticking into the inside, and then the guards would shake the box around.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="seodaemun prison seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zseodaemun11-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">A mannequin Japanese guard oversees the cell block.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the prison's history is irrevocably tied to Japan's presence in Korea, much of the museum focused on the history of the two countries during the prison's operation. Exhibits detail the struggle Korea faced during the time of its occupation, detailing the brave acts of the men and women who dared to stand up for Korea's freedom and independence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, it was a very interesting, albeit somber, experience, and definitely one of the better museums I've seen while in Korea. The organization was tasteful and informative, and we left with a much greater understanding of Korea's history in the first half of the twentieth century. I highly recommend spending an afternoon exploring the prison and soaking up the history while you're in Korea!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions and information: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dongnimmun Station, Seoul Metro Line 3, Exit 5. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Admission cost: 3,000 won. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hours: March-October 9:30am-6pm, November-February 9:30am-5pm.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Closed on Mondays, national holidays.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Official website: <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268143" target="_blank" title="Seodaemun Prison">Seodaemun Prison</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/229/Seodaemun+Prison+History+Hall+%EC%84%9C%EB%8C%80%EB%AC%B8%ED%98%95%EB%AC%B4%EC%86%8C" target="_blank">Trazy website with more information</a></li>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-43424226743043675382014-07-22T20:35:00.000+09:002014-07-22T20:35:00.025+09:00Smartphone Apps You NEED While in Korea<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103969/Smartphone-Apps-You-NEED-While-in-Korea" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We live in a smartphone world. My dependence on my iPhone is, undoubtedly, ridiculous, and yet I just <em>need</em> it. Living in Korea has made my borderline addiction a little bit more understandable, though, because I use my phone constantly to get information about buses, subways, restaurants, and events. Living in an unfamiliar place is made so much easier by the accessibility of information on the internet and through apps, so here are the most useful apps I've found (and used!) while in Korea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Note:</strong> All of the following apps are available in both Apple's App Store and Android's Play Store. AND they're all <em>free!</em> </span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" id="img-1403433791502" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp2-resized-600.PNG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">KakaoTalk</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your smartphone plan will likely have a limited number of texts and minutes, but you don't need to worry about that because KakaoTalk will fill all of your texting (and even calling!) needs. Similar to messaging apps like WhatsApp or Kik, Kakao is Korea's version of free, unlimited messaging. It seems like nearly everyone here uses it, and I've even gotten family and friends back home to install it on their phones so we can text like normal as well. </span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" id="img-1403433785961" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp3-resized-600.PNG" style="background-color: white; border: none; display: block; line-height: 21.897216796875px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seoul Subway</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This particular subway app, by Broong Inc, is my favorite one. I've played with a couple others, but this app remains the best from its accuracy to its overall interface and design. Not only does it cover all of Korea's major cities and their respective subways, but it gives detailed information about routes from the time you have to transfer in a station to the particular doors you should be at for your needed transfer or exit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will say, every now and then I spot a route that is actually faster than the one suggested by the app, but overall, it hasn't lead me astray and it's been a necessity for living here.</span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" id="img-1403433833510" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp4-resized-600.PNG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></h2>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seoul Bus </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Getting around by bus, whether it's just around Incheon or all the way into Seoul, is extremely convenient and inexpensive. I take the bus to commute to work each day and this app has been very helpful. I saved the bus stop number in the app so that as I'm getting ready for work, I can keep an eye on the arrival time of the next bus. The impressive part is it's really accurate, constantly updating should a bus get delayed in traffic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm listing only the Seoul Bus app here since I don't have firsthand experience with the bus apps for other cities -- so <em>please</em> leave a comment below if you have anything helpful for people located in the likes of Busan or Daegu! </span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp5-resized-600.PNG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></h2>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Visit Korea</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of my travels around Korea to various cities and festivals have been planned with the help of the <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto" target="_blank" title="Korea Tourism Organization's website">Korea Tourism Organization's website</a>. All of this information, of course, is also on their app! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Covering the entire country, the app gives you news about what's happening around Korea, activities nearby to your current location, addresses of events and attractions, and all of the admission information you'd need. Definitely worth browsing through when you're planning a weekend trip! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" height="216" id="img-1403433944615" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp6-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none;" width="438" /></span></h2>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Google Translate & iTranslate</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These two are my go-to apps when I need to translate something, and while I use both, I'm sure a lot of people have a preference. Google in particular can be a bit wonky with its translations, but my students have told me they prefer using Google. iTranslate does spoken translation, which isn't too bad. I typically use whichever one gives me a translation that makes the most sense. I will let you decide what you like the best, but I recommend checking both out. </span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" id="img-1403434192259" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp7-resized-600.PNG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">MangoPlate</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This app was actually just recently introduced to me by a friend. We were wandering around in a somewhat unfamiliar area of Seoul, feeling hungry, and weren't sure which direction would yield the most restaurants. She whipped out her phone and this app and voila! Lots of restaurants to choose from. I've used apps like this back in the States but for some (dumb) reason, never tried to find one here in Korea. Definitely going to be utilizing this more!</span></div>
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<img alt="smartphone apps in korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zapp8-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Google Maps / Naver Maps / Daum Maps</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on the requirements for what is needed in a map app and one's ability to read Korean, these are the three top hits for navigation apps. I still prefer Google, simply because it's what I've been using for years. Google's coverage of Korea seems to have improved since I first came here, so for the very few times I actually need to whip out a map, it's handy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I've also had great success with Naver and Daum, which are both Korean companies and therefore <em>much</em> more accurate and detailed. The latter two require you to be able to read more Korean than Google, but that shouldn't stop you from checking them out. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helpful apps in Korea. Do you know of any others? Have any opinions to weigh in on what's good and bad? Leave a comment below! </span></em></div>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-25314445457298014472014-07-21T22:11:00.000+09:002014-09-06T23:27:08.357+09:00Indoor Activities to Survive Summertime in Korea<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots for sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/104146/Indoor-Activities-to-Survive-Summertime-in-Korea" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While Korea's hottest days are still a month or so away, we also have the rainy season, which technically has already begun. So what to do on those weekends when you want to go explore and be social, but between the rain and/or the heat, you don't want to spend time outside? Well, check out this handy list of the top air-conditioned activities to check out in Seoul this summer! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last summer, I wrote a basic <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/08/how-to-survive-korean-summer-heat.html" target="_blank" title="how-to for beating the heat">how-to for beating the heat</a> during a Korean summer. This summer, I'm thinking of finding more indoor activities. When it comes to staying indoors as much as possible, I automatically think of museums. Luckily, Seoul has quite an array of museums to offer to those of us who are looking to enjoy the things Korea has to offer, but also would prefer to limit our time under the hot summer sun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the activities I'm planning to check off my list over the coming weekends: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dongdaemun Design Plaza</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently re<a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/05/dongdaemun-design-plaza-park.html" target="_blank" title="visited">visited</a> this awesome building and allowed myself to get completely lost wandering around inside. Some shopping was done in its quirky, creative stores and delicious food was eaten at one of the Western-style restaurants in the food court. Even better, the DDP has various exhibits running throughout the summer that are worth checking out. </span><br />
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<img alt="ddp weta dongdaemun design plaza seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ztroll-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1404663547185" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We wandered through the <a href="http://wetafantasy.com/En/Pages/Intro.aspx" target="_blank" title="Weta Workshop Fantasy Exhibition">Weta Workshop Fantasy Exhibition</a> and had a good time. Weta is well-known for being the special effects/makeup/costumers/etc. for <em>The Hobbit</em> and <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>. The exhibit features much more than pieces of Middle Earth -- it has sculptures and dioramas and conceptual artwork for many of their other fantastical projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, check out the DDP's <a href="http://www.ddp.or.kr/MA010001/getInitPage.do" target="_blank">official website</a> and <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1403/Dongdaemun+Design+Plaza+%28DDP%29+%EB%8F%99%EB%8C%80%EB%AC%B8+%EB%94%94%EC%9E%90%EC%9D%B8+%ED%94%8C%EB%9D%BC%EC%9E%90" target="_blank">Trazy's DDP page</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Art museums</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've seen some really great art exhibits come to Korea in the past, so I typically keep my eye on what's happening in the museums at all times. Luckily, this summer looks to be a good one for art lovers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seoul Arts Center has two exhibits that just recently started -- <a href="http://www.sac.or.kr/eng/program/view.jsp?seq=20854&s_date=201476" target="_blank">The Great Artists: Renoir to Damien Hirst</a>, and <a href="http://www.sac.or.kr/eng/program/view.jsp?seq=21294&s_date=201476" target="_blank">Edvard Munch and the Modern Soul</a>. I'll definitely be visiting both of these soon and probably writing a full review. The exhibits I've caught <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/?Tag=seoul+arts+center" target="_blank" title="at the SAC in the past">at the SAC in the past</a> have been excellent, so I'm looking forward to these too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is also the <a href="http://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/" target="_blank" title="Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art">Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art</a> that's right next to Gyeongbokgung in Seoul. <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/102199/Museum-of-Modern-Contemporary-Art-in-Seoul" target="_blank" title="Since the last time I was there">Since the last time I was there</a>, the exhibits have changed over, which means I'll be planning a trip there sometime soon as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The War Memorial of Korea</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best part of this museum is that it's totally free. Who can argue with wandering around a huge museum, enjoying the nice air conditioning, and being able to save the money that would typically be spent on admission fees? </span><br />
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<img alt="war memorial of korea seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/398067_10100539671261357_1272285884_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This museum is really quite well-organized and presented. Informative, huge, and really quite cool. Check out some previous Aclipse blogger write-ups of the museum <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103626/A-Teacher-Takes-a-Trip-to-the-Korean-War-Memorial" target="_blank" title="here">here</a> and <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/94226/Free-Weekend-Activity-in-Korea-Korean-War-Memorial" target="_blank" title="here">here</a>. And, should you feel like venturing outside, a sizeable portion of the museum is on the grounds in the form of wartime vehicles. You can even climb inside some of them to look around, so I would recommend saving this museum for a hot day rather than a rainy day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The War Memorial's <a href="https://www.warmemo.or.kr/eng/main/main.jsp" target="_blank">official website</a> and <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1511/The+War+Memorial+of+Korea+%EC%A0%84%EC%9F%81%EA%B8%B0%EB%85%90%EA%B4%80" target="_blank">Trazy's info page</a> have everything you'll need to plan your visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Trick Eye Museum</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If art and history aren't quite your thing and you're looking for something a little more whimsical, definitely check out one of the many trick eye museums around Seoul (and Korea!). An optical illusion technique makes the paintings on the walls three-dimensional, and the best part is they're designed so that you can jump into the middle of them! Expect countless photo ops and make sure your phone's batteries are charged up.</span><br />
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<img alt="trick eye museum hongdae seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/251943_10101207276535037_1300399563_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We went to the Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae, which actually has the freezing cold Ice Museum -- and in the summertime, this might be just what you need. If you're in other parts of Seoul, check out the locations of the Alive Museum, which includes the same kind of illusions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">More information for the Hongdae location: <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1324865" target="_blank" title="here">KTO site</a> and <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/396/Trickeye+Museum+%ED%8A%B8%EB%A6%AD%EC%95%84%EC%9D%B4+%EB%AF%B8%EC%88%A0%EA%B4%80">Trazy site</a> (and a <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/396/Trickeye+Museum+%ED%8A%B8%EB%A6%AD%EC%95%84%EC%9D%B4+%EB%AF%B8%EC%88%A0%EA%B4%80" target="_blank" title="coupon here">coupon here</a>!), including <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/576/Ice+Museum+%EC%95%84%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4+%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%97%84">the Ice Museum</a>, and for the Alive Museum <a href="http://www.alivemuseum.com/" target="_blank" title="here">here</a>, <a href="http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004003002006&p=03&art_id=70986&lang=en&tab=info" target="_blank" title="here">here</a>, orrrr <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/995/Alive+Museum+%EB%B0%95%EB%AC%BC%EA%B4%80%EC%9D%80+%EC%82%B4%EC%95%84%EC%9E%88%EB%8B%A4" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Any museums or exhibits to add to this list? I'm sure there's so much more to do on the weekends that would otherwise be lost to rain or gross humidity. Leave a comment below with your recommendations! </span></div>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-39433254051526788342014-07-20T20:29:00.000+09:002014-07-20T20:29:00.122+09:00Monthly Photo Recap: June 2014Feeling bleh this weekend = finishing and scheduling a ton of backlogged posts. Lots and lots of (sometimes really old) posts will be going up soon, so check back! I think I'm going to even throw a bunch of photos up on Facebook since I haven't uploaded any pictures in about a year... So it'll be a massive best-of type album, I think. My time in Korea is officially winding down, which is totally nuts. I can't believe I'm leaving at the end of November. That's still quite a ways off, but when I sit and count the weekends I have left, it's only 18! I have so many things left to accomplish! My Korea Bucket List is getting a serious overhaul/update this weekend too -- I need to strategize a game plan so I can get all this stuff done.<br />
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But anyway, here's photos from June, which was a pretty relaxed month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvJDFIAIq1Ae_cLN5cN6bz2z5EVVYHEd5f05NlvI7Gm7ZrZ8O4u0lufXDmVNzirfw671UahapWpn_k-UiP9dwk3OQVHByfFJ5lql8fhaiDGldm5Qpqj57zUjihTtVvOojbq_SDK-0x3j6/s1600/IMG_2444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvJDFIAIq1Ae_cLN5cN6bz2z5EVVYHEd5f05NlvI7Gm7ZrZ8O4u0lufXDmVNzirfw671UahapWpn_k-UiP9dwk3OQVHByfFJ5lql8fhaiDGldm5Qpqj57zUjihTtVvOojbq_SDK-0x3j6/s1600/IMG_2444.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This summer hasn't been as hot or as rainy as I remember from previous years. Though we're all worrying that this means the rainy season will just come super late and drag on into August. Fingers crossed. The humidity is pretty obnoxious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua9nvqkRkXxztY_UdwDUYxTrEh5DfdnJhZapxc23vq9hdYCMR4r0kEERmDg7g3Y0cPcsTM9v2dv10TYZHx1Rvuq1T9mtY0D6QzxWLFqVePjS4w5mc5fj2Ofvj3fS5bWxB367aTJMpqS09/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua9nvqkRkXxztY_UdwDUYxTrEh5DfdnJhZapxc23vq9hdYCMR4r0kEERmDg7g3Y0cPcsTM9v2dv10TYZHx1Rvuq1T9mtY0D6QzxWLFqVePjS4w5mc5fj2Ofvj3fS5bWxB367aTJMpqS09/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally finished a doodle that I'd started a while back. Definitely feeling like drawing more lately.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3qI-JDQBn3KHL6EzRo1obJwNKs7tNKAdiSAxitEwTQRCFifJmp6F8efiIjCE9P4ljFFLPNDWXSXGPxlkUZHtaZcG_2y_Jl_vGAqwHwlIJqEpPhegE0__V5xDBDq2kb4_Ihc-8eZ_EdoN/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3qI-JDQBn3KHL6EzRo1obJwNKs7tNKAdiSAxitEwTQRCFifJmp6F8efiIjCE9P4ljFFLPNDWXSXGPxlkUZHtaZcG_2y_Jl_vGAqwHwlIJqEpPhegE0__V5xDBDq2kb4_Ihc-8eZ_EdoN/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Cat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnZfdHGfM7cDfBQV1bLBpjTZmWgmDiO0gabyOGlis7ttf703KUDRVYWG1ExUFWIAAdhoEGX18rKkbFXaLQzqVKFkwyotuwsQzTACdf_a7kuXjplp3NLrqZCqzVd7W30nf8OKI9PPl6v-/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnZfdHGfM7cDfBQV1bLBpjTZmWgmDiO0gabyOGlis7ttf703KUDRVYWG1ExUFWIAAdhoEGX18rKkbFXaLQzqVKFkwyotuwsQzTACdf_a7kuXjplp3NLrqZCqzVd7W30nf8OKI9PPl6v-/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Master Lit class is HUGE this term and I have so many essays to grade... AND I LOVE IT. No, really. Grading papers is seriously one of my favorite things, as weird as that sounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoSITS42cjb2GUkdu8fiVAt0MPpvBspWMyopylNdKtFlWyI2DbgWD25KN4B9U1gGZqYNafG_ttIvRFmphYp7uDAnxAH4k_2RDpbo-LXxzsFwg-zqz-BM086L7TU7M1nS94klfEX_pOK7Y/s1600/IMG_2554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoSITS42cjb2GUkdu8fiVAt0MPpvBspWMyopylNdKtFlWyI2DbgWD25KN4B9U1gGZqYNafG_ttIvRFmphYp7uDAnxAH4k_2RDpbo-LXxzsFwg-zqz-BM086L7TU7M1nS94klfEX_pOK7Y/s1600/IMG_2554.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was given a "Yellow Card" by some of my elementary kids because I was eating chips during breaktime. We have snack rules at my school -- they kids can't eat dry ramen, chips, candy, cookies, etc. Basically anything that's unhealthy isn't allowed. But, even though I had retreated to an empty classroom to get some peace and quiet during the break, they walked by and noticed me eating chips. Feeling like this was deeply unfair, I allowed them to give me a Yellow Card, which I then taped to the wall behind my desk so I can proudly display it. The bottom part is my favorite -- they initially wrote in the reason as "eat swing chip (very many)" but then added "obyte no problem" -- meaning that if I vomited up the chips, I wouldn't get in trouble. It was hilarious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpthCAq9Vfb37DE6xtQxo5P8I4xC9ZKUAbLwf1HrwdKfaQDfp9e5Mr29iv2gXXbN31XtynlGtes-2j_JDWGqrQzNjHVeMKziWyG9jY_FDJrc65l5MjsgQtFLwb_jZDTDiS-rezSxf1n1-/s1600/IMG_2583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpthCAq9Vfb37DE6xtQxo5P8I4xC9ZKUAbLwf1HrwdKfaQDfp9e5Mr29iv2gXXbN31XtynlGtes-2j_JDWGqrQzNjHVeMKziWyG9jY_FDJrc65l5MjsgQtFLwb_jZDTDiS-rezSxf1n1-/s1600/IMG_2583.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious, delicious food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0663l5CzE1qAx-wXJAEA3APIXbAzmd7FYAyodXzRU0EBDuWeLJtVFbTObqrAQa1McCh25K5wx4ojMLKskJsubAcpTkAxpoyno3OtgfpNO6hVGVW_9eG-8uL2Y50iXKc4o30BTW1GPGfUS/s1600/IMG_2612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0663l5CzE1qAx-wXJAEA3APIXbAzmd7FYAyodXzRU0EBDuWeLJtVFbTObqrAQa1McCh25K5wx4ojMLKskJsubAcpTkAxpoyno3OtgfpNO6hVGVW_9eG-8uL2Y50iXKc4o30BTW1GPGfUS/s1600/IMG_2612.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy architecture in Songdo. So many of the buildings are really cool looking over there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq9hOl76CpDc3axUCavvYZJeyC5OeJTTirfJqjCYuFhvjQKayumrpGRv95z9GiMqRwsJUxxaKm0I8-MJh7i0d8anHBC6izEGtX_e85Pupmm3GcoeZf8y6q1orRn3kV-X9shIHirsYl3I/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq9hOl76CpDc3axUCavvYZJeyC5OeJTTirfJqjCYuFhvjQKayumrpGRv95z9GiMqRwsJUxxaKm0I8-MJh7i0d8anHBC6izEGtX_e85Pupmm3GcoeZf8y6q1orRn3kV-X9shIHirsYl3I/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ul9PVEm2Jx5fbwnvIbuca38bJzwpHCOdUFwyxCJ0dsO-OigYuo-7JA352z6I5Bkx6_RERCvOIMW2SLZn1Kq7SQ3TmSlUDVg2wkLLo53icSJzsyzkTj_KqIgFXlUnextyxH7PC1CaIYdm/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ul9PVEm2Jx5fbwnvIbuca38bJzwpHCOdUFwyxCJ0dsO-OigYuo-7JA352z6I5Bkx6_RERCvOIMW2SLZn1Kq7SQ3TmSlUDVg2wkLLo53icSJzsyzkTj_KqIgFXlUnextyxH7PC1CaIYdm/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, this is a mangosteen. It's one of the weirdest fruits I've ever eaten and it's delicious. You have to cut through the thick rind first, then the inside looks weirdly like garlic but doesn't taste like it at all. It's really soft -- trying to pull out one of the segments makes it bruise and ooze juice. But it's so, so good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIjXPUxEDOeycGczbcN491ETo2iS5NmgV-4kQDkwuX6_80gtTuAzy6QrkotjUbS8jhJnwBXnvhVORJ4iGa2ZcnaDztLEAp4Iss-honO-8Q0N1xNjcCZJURylHhpo-npr5gunzlHrgAbXt/s1600/IMG_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIjXPUxEDOeycGczbcN491ETo2iS5NmgV-4kQDkwuX6_80gtTuAzy6QrkotjUbS8jhJnwBXnvhVORJ4iGa2ZcnaDztLEAp4Iss-honO-8Q0N1xNjcCZJURylHhpo-npr5gunzlHrgAbXt/s1600/IMG_2724.jpg" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my middle schoolers made me some friendship bracelets a while back and it got me on an insane kick of making tons and tons of them. I used to make these all the time during the summer when I was a kid, so it's been a lot of fun to rekindle that hobby. And! The internet has so many amazing patterns and tutorials! I'm really jealous of kids today because their friendship bracelet options are so much greater than mine were back in the pre-internet days. This is just a handful of what I've made... I might be out of control. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENdAMBbvTw4m5Y91rEUVwwZs5ffpOkvQPeNliDxKPs9BcXRNCUgv9_l4TcZ5VESkHC6iDU79qpiRIK0_r6XTZiWv68nJQQ9FMYm0X1MlDz_JM2hWKadakP_ImNWbql_M-4CiXLwD_0Z6x/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENdAMBbvTw4m5Y91rEUVwwZs5ffpOkvQPeNliDxKPs9BcXRNCUgv9_l4TcZ5VESkHC6iDU79qpiRIK0_r6XTZiWv68nJQQ9FMYm0X1MlDz_JM2hWKadakP_ImNWbql_M-4CiXLwD_0Z6x/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty lilies on my walk one day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9F_syIcd4RC_9ongs_Auh96V-Kpm6S2PHcyKHgr8jrsAZRn8Q0PjqwkhXNamr_2zSYY2Ha5ac9gB6YrO2mjgAVbrp3RB-IWkh6zQ8PgiDhaDvpKIGQGGhBsEBvMkaNrxrNIENH5Gevii/s1600/IMG_2831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9F_syIcd4RC_9ongs_Auh96V-Kpm6S2PHcyKHgr8jrsAZRn8Q0PjqwkhXNamr_2zSYY2Ha5ac9gB6YrO2mjgAVbrp3RB-IWkh6zQ8PgiDhaDvpKIGQGGhBsEBvMkaNrxrNIENH5Gevii/s1600/IMG_2831.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And last, the greatest article of clothing I currently own: a shirt covered in dogs. Oh, and my bangs are almost grown out to a good length and it's still weird. I constantly fight the urge to chop them back to straight-across. </td></tr>
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<br />zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-13505629808014491392014-07-19T19:16:00.000+09:002014-07-19T19:16:28.004+09:00Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/104071/Exploring-Korea-Suwon-s-Hwaseong-Fortress" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing that I really love about living in Korea is the history that's simply everywhere. With Korea's rapid modernization, fancy cities have sprung up around old structures, creating a really interesting contrast of the new against the historical. One of the coolest examples of this is Suwon's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwaseong_Fortress" target="_blank" title="Hwaseong Fortress">Hwaseong Fortress</a>. It's right outside of Seoul, easily accessible via the subway, making it an excellent day trip that you should check out this summer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hwaseong Fortress was built in the 1790s under the reign of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty. It was designed to be a defensive structure, with 48 structures along the wall, including sentry posts and gun towers. It has four main gates, each facing a different cardinal direction, each of which are still impressive to see. The Korean War damaged the fortress, but in the 1970s, effort was made by the government to rebuild most of what was destroyed, with the current structure being about 75% of what it originally was. Then, in 1997, it was named a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/817" target="_blank">UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site</a>.</span></div>
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<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/485655_10100673082783597_1077324362_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">See all the holes in the walls? All for defensive measures.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What stands today is a fascinating look into Korea's history, juxtaposed with the hustle and bustle of one of Korea's main cities. It really is neat to see cars zipping down the street right next to the walls of the fortress -- just as you forget you're in the middle of the city, you look out from above the wall and are reminded of the stark contrast.</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/398271_10100673084036087_1263867162_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the many lookout spots.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Walking along the fortress wall is what I would recommend doing, which stretches 5.25 kilometers. Though I will warn you that it's a lot of stairs, just like much of the hiking in Korea. Definitely hike all the way up Paldalsan -- the fortress wall snakes up the mountain and leads to a lookout spot that offers a really stunning view of Suwon and its surrounding area. </span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/252663_10100876305808027_1491492877_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">As high up as we could get.</span></em></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/246584_10100876305892857_2077530545_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">City, city, and more city. </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the middle of the fortress walls lies a palace, Haenggung, that was built not only as a place for the king to stay in when visiting Suwon, but also to serve as the king's residence since King Jeongjo supposedly planned to move the capital from Seoul to Suwon. This never happened due to his sudden death, but the palace remains and was a lot of fun to wander through while we were exploring the fortress.</span></div>
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<img alt="hwaseong fortress suwon korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/580078_10100876305658327_258085598_n-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.49908447265625px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Directions and Information: </span></h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; list-style-type: square; margin: 6px 0px 6px 14px; padding: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suwon Station, Seoul Subway Line 1</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exit 4 -- the Tourist Information Center outside this exit can direct you to the city bus that heads in the direction of the fortress. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hours: 9am-6pm, March-October; 9am-5pm, November-February</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Admission: 1,000 won</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, visit the Korea Tourism's site <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264204" target="_blank">here</a> or the official site for Hwaseong <a href="http://ehs.suwon.ne.kr/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Definitely give yourself at least a few hours to hike the whole thing, and maybe plan to pack some food. There are spots all long the wall to stop and rest, so I think this would be a great spot for a picnic while you soak up the history of this old structure that still stands smack in the middle of a modern Korean city! </span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-67461686585541220962014-06-30T23:23:00.001+09:002014-07-01T22:53:44.443+09:00Monthly Photo Recap: May 2014, aka Emma's VisitSO LATE with this recap. However, I was computerless for a couple weeks, so that seriously bungled my blogging aspirations. <strike>Also I'm lazy.</strike><br />
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But! My computer is back and good as new, so it's time to play catch up.<br />
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May was a fun month, largely because Emma was visiting for two weeks of it. Having a visitor is always a nice distraction from everything else. And while it was bittersweet (because saying goodbye was basically a knife to the heart), it was really, really awesome to get to show her Korea and have some busy weekends of running around and sightseeing.<br />
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So, without apology, here's photos from May that are absolutely 90% related to Emma's visit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMoGBN6Xg6suAYR8wlsJ-P_jcg5dgdhUPoPJSqSEP0mjWBFc6daS8IzNZs3deaV0hE0m5lr-h1gzMShn_yko9K_fVMY1vwPbdhcm31ow9WragJU-ocJEcECg3d83I_UxYDhE5m0eCpeHU/s1600/1IMG_1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMoGBN6Xg6suAYR8wlsJ-P_jcg5dgdhUPoPJSqSEP0mjWBFc6daS8IzNZs3deaV0hE0m5lr-h1gzMShn_yko9K_fVMY1vwPbdhcm31ow9WragJU-ocJEcECg3d83I_UxYDhE5m0eCpeHU/s1600/1IMG_1747.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beginning with a picture of the cat! Not Emma.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV9Qx6SSuvImRrgJmjH_spB_inmfnI3Dp-myjHi_ZVwc0yyshYyIXhMO_5brZkluREhCj0T_Hz0J_OYjfe19XgWX-UxaWqakhvDA23-5QlhCgZeMD8wwslQ8eXVPTID57Z6QcNDIkla2I/s1600/2IMG_1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV9Qx6SSuvImRrgJmjH_spB_inmfnI3Dp-myjHi_ZVwc0yyshYyIXhMO_5brZkluREhCj0T_Hz0J_OYjfe19XgWX-UxaWqakhvDA23-5QlhCgZeMD8wwslQ8eXVPTID57Z6QcNDIkla2I/s1600/2IMG_1756.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We took an airport arrival picture, but we both look rough -- her because she'd just stepped off a plane and me because I was an emotional wreck that had been crying in anticipation of her arrival. So here was our first good seester picture of her trip. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg72yc9fyO9RfOoDERAvhjlFwKnUIkt-T_c161B8IvDnRWn6so6FkpgY_ZQcTZrzpHAX0mYA_oshPqFPJoIQ5O7e9rEp8fZICSL9oZp4wpA-edq8toGd3WfRnoNknRZYvEi9FUAw9JlZC/s1600/3IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg72yc9fyO9RfOoDERAvhjlFwKnUIkt-T_c161B8IvDnRWn6so6FkpgY_ZQcTZrzpHAX0mYA_oshPqFPJoIQ5O7e9rEp8fZICSL9oZp4wpA-edq8toGd3WfRnoNknRZYvEi9FUAw9JlZC/s1600/3IMG_1785.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rainy day on Wolmido, with cool clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_GamK0kVOzy0rK2l4YbOpptt15EBR7KkLve3KC1lvNU55x9HhKXhkVpFB83W8mooimFM5m9_YzUgh9kBA2zOgHoDCuNh-o1PnT0GlGDzPqBdv5jjMujUHlYZLL-8kHwVXzCtN62Nxv6n/s1600/4IMG_1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_GamK0kVOzy0rK2l4YbOpptt15EBR7KkLve3KC1lvNU55x9HhKXhkVpFB83W8mooimFM5m9_YzUgh9kBA2zOgHoDCuNh-o1PnT0GlGDzPqBdv5jjMujUHlYZLL-8kHwVXzCtN62Nxv6n/s1600/4IMG_1788.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lotteria, kind of like Korea's McDonald's, even tried to copy McD's little characters by making these creepy-ass ones. Emma wasn't into it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE27cfHJ_D0qm39loYvpYdqyj2758Z7CcCrlWstJYywUeWLlfnEUQrmeRwxCXtl4V1WHeb_TOINLqkb7rBle1ePjdHU4XW54xCzhWoKnOmBwZb8uk8vE44nn_vdT8NLSt2P_zTCAOel4AH/s1600/5IMG_2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE27cfHJ_D0qm39loYvpYdqyj2758Z7CcCrlWstJYywUeWLlfnEUQrmeRwxCXtl4V1WHeb_TOINLqkb7rBle1ePjdHU4XW54xCzhWoKnOmBwZb8uk8vE44nn_vdT8NLSt2P_zTCAOel4AH/s1600/5IMG_2342.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Exploring Bukchon Hanok Village! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76KMJza7voxes_4azDxte2PnL6xgoOM89tHzOBJ3_T3btJgUIiZB58I1ELe0hoFEOteQOJsZQfRXxdlVVLGFNiGZlQiuSXACqHWi6nOWCa0wsB0c1aMEG9Fc__7VKpRlTk7kgJwEDL9O5/s1600/6IMG_2329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76KMJza7voxes_4azDxte2PnL6xgoOM89tHzOBJ3_T3btJgUIiZB58I1ELe0hoFEOteQOJsZQfRXxdlVVLGFNiGZlQiuSXACqHWi6nOWCa0wsB0c1aMEG9Fc__7VKpRlTk7kgJwEDL9O5/s1600/6IMG_2329.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just love Bukchon so much. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl1_oeSPJ1jLjDbCrlvS7wn7Iah5oB2uysCrRMqiICSO1hr4nM6ObOhJgKDOcqmtJElQA6IEH765kh8PsKyHLu7xwC2s1PI0aZ62gFwZYO_ptC5BezD9iSTns48kAjjl3i49mWnkNknT2/s1600/7IMG_1884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl1_oeSPJ1jLjDbCrlvS7wn7Iah5oB2uysCrRMqiICSO1hr4nM6ObOhJgKDOcqmtJElQA6IEH765kh8PsKyHLu7xwC2s1PI0aZ62gFwZYO_ptC5BezD9iSTns48kAjjl3i49mWnkNknT2/s1600/7IMG_1884.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were getting pretty loopy by the end of the night, wandering around Insadong buying as many ice creams as we wanted. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM4Is9DiXxWXIlhk4XgCLQfPRCWlKGHKBYD_Gons_d3eyCVFSjgpLxCYOVEy4ZHgzVHoxuMli7yez1bqs687mFMGrCpkgcviw20RdvI11K4uyz1MsVJAaXtqiMFhyphenhyphenyYUAuteota-gwiJP/s1600/8IMG_2102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM4Is9DiXxWXIlhk4XgCLQfPRCWlKGHKBYD_Gons_d3eyCVFSjgpLxCYOVEy4ZHgzVHoxuMli7yez1bqs687mFMGrCpkgcviw20RdvI11K4uyz1MsVJAaXtqiMFhyphenhyphenyYUAuteota-gwiJP/s1600/8IMG_2102.JPG" height="400" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The beginning of lots and lots of purikura pictures. I could do an entire recap just of these pictures. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kdyl1_hpKW6zQXeOb6REcUMc3HA_FYgoSh6CP7n90RvEvJP2N3GCTG27uJfcYSIpplYdB2p5bTSA3hUuy4AfDk4ZkuHz4-39JYWSk0StL2JAEGictZRylBW2v_KIJiJc652Me-hy7MBO/s1600/9IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kdyl1_hpKW6zQXeOb6REcUMc3HA_FYgoSh6CP7n90RvEvJP2N3GCTG27uJfcYSIpplYdB2p5bTSA3hUuy4AfDk4ZkuHz4-39JYWSk0StL2JAEGictZRylBW2v_KIJiJc652Me-hy7MBO/s1600/9IMG_2103.JPG" height="400" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is known as our Disney Channel Original Movie movie poster. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCgNU2g02iKh3jGq-Jl-7g4l_5lTlqV5UxruK4c2Z_PZTmvMz9p2Uwu536H72Otkq9rOJUSrCjKhqAj_B2ruQCjbkzH3dsTehfs39c2c03MeaU6VGtxBUI12d-cAyBbb0Gb5Yb7eExz4x/s1600/10IMG_2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCgNU2g02iKh3jGq-Jl-7g4l_5lTlqV5UxruK4c2Z_PZTmvMz9p2Uwu536H72Otkq9rOJUSrCjKhqAj_B2ruQCjbkzH3dsTehfs39c2c03MeaU6VGtxBUI12d-cAyBbb0Gb5Yb7eExz4x/s1600/10IMG_2305.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nami Island! We had a good time wandering around.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxZjf-v9rszKI0y9XNGcnCrFbQ_RYurCcgWkqiHXNgXYiWrzaMousZlRvL6xNJbLHZuPM1brMLodcPD9t8UM82w0pxwDiPkBp3h2wpD21btVdIbTTckAFAYIudmro-f0l2DP8aCIQC_Sh/s1600/11IMG_2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxZjf-v9rszKI0y9XNGcnCrFbQ_RYurCcgWkqiHXNgXYiWrzaMousZlRvL6xNJbLHZuPM1brMLodcPD9t8UM82w0pxwDiPkBp3h2wpD21btVdIbTTckAFAYIudmro-f0l2DP8aCIQC_Sh/s1600/11IMG_2306.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a particularly beautiful day on Nami, too. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-i8F8l9x4eFxyHYj94tkL7d0cngmue_7Nn2N7ep9DTiTqez4NUMotyhsQIQEAJ0BMpw7HYBfm3U2-UXENJ_x-8Aoa9MymRg1K1B8T0HgdJVEwlsC02xx9jemnAm8OxSzfmKbTuxDJOAU/s1600/12IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-i8F8l9x4eFxyHYj94tkL7d0cngmue_7Nn2N7ep9DTiTqez4NUMotyhsQIQEAJ0BMpw7HYBfm3U2-UXENJ_x-8Aoa9MymRg1K1B8T0HgdJVEwlsC02xx9jemnAm8OxSzfmKbTuxDJOAU/s1600/12IMG_2326.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While in the area of Nami, we also stopped by Petite France, unable to resist since Emma had just completed her teaching contract in France. It was... weird. And underwhelming. And full of truly terrifying statues and marionette dolls. Full blog coming soon. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xti70rjd7xlelu9vJ6n4j3Y89v4VM0OlWFgdBaj9MD3W6o4kg8lvAnHAlsTvilcYPDaHIj0PT7I9ZewsTZ2ZeFBBmA8Id1aOBrpXqYqFGUYtO-WiF1xnzs3AFtaOOmECU9FPRmbxvJXy/s1600/13IMG_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xti70rjd7xlelu9vJ6n4j3Y89v4VM0OlWFgdBaj9MD3W6o4kg8lvAnHAlsTvilcYPDaHIj0PT7I9ZewsTZ2ZeFBBmA8Id1aOBrpXqYqFGUYtO-WiF1xnzs3AFtaOOmECU9FPRmbxvJXy/s1600/13IMG_2217.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teacher's Day passed sometime in the middle of the month, and some really sweet notes and presents were passed my way from some very thoughtful students. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZnDmvPzExBim4ACkeSmaP0nZhSAp5Ckn4K1pj67Nk9zpVEpBAUyB81F9bl8Gv12V2hgTvYyANY3GpDC23gipd1xM9M2O_uWHT0ST7uvggeS7mBtp5E3vu6R0ya5pXj1XRvIQGH1q0BQE/s1600/14IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZnDmvPzExBim4ACkeSmaP0nZhSAp5Ckn4K1pj67Nk9zpVEpBAUyB81F9bl8Gv12V2hgTvYyANY3GpDC23gipd1xM9M2O_uWHT0ST7uvggeS7mBtp5E3vu6R0ya5pXj1XRvIQGH1q0BQE/s1600/14IMG_2204.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sister funday! Playing in a mirror art installation in a subway station. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aaaaand more purikura. Can't stop, won't stop.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma in Hongdae, looking ~so cool~ in front of this mural. She a day or so after this was taken, which was a tearful goodbye at the airport. I wish she could've stayed longer, and I wish I'd had more time off to explore Korea with her. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LrIFMB9LBvM_Ey5lLFToTnLylk4GO1f5WIsSgtbwFB4jrTPdxsRFjNa2RepuA9jHZg2nIqz-quk3bCrZySgN2DYqxD9nIih-PsZYGFUNv8mcCdP5Wa6Z0yHJbfB4RSBVc5T0o0T8sqBR/s1600/17IMG_2231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LrIFMB9LBvM_Ey5lLFToTnLylk4GO1f5WIsSgtbwFB4jrTPdxsRFjNa2RepuA9jHZg2nIqz-quk3bCrZySgN2DYqxD9nIih-PsZYGFUNv8mcCdP5Wa6Z0yHJbfB4RSBVc5T0o0T8sqBR/s1600/17IMG_2231.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another cat picture, for good measure.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiM72u3IRL4mz-8YRLVZWQGSwvOtYjczH7x8sbUQwh2BvkXbafFP7BBbM9NzMoKnqPDYUEtNykUF1DBQndYL1Xdd9K9QsIxzvwoLMjautdR2nqJmsPPv-eNkwG4I18s7LwPF0T0oRGfsG/s1600/18IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiM72u3IRL4mz-8YRLVZWQGSwvOtYjczH7x8sbUQwh2BvkXbafFP7BBbM9NzMoKnqPDYUEtNykUF1DBQndYL1Xdd9K9QsIxzvwoLMjautdR2nqJmsPPv-eNkwG4I18s7LwPF0T0oRGfsG/s1600/18IMG_2323.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The month ended with the end of a term at work, which meant saying goodbye to a couple coworkers that have meant so much to me during my entire time in Korea. It isn't the same without them, though I know they're having a wonderful time back home. We took this staff picture to commemorate the momentous farewell. <!--3--></span></td></tr>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-2525048213975947752014-06-29T23:05:00.000+09:002014-06-30T22:36:52.557+09:00Korea money questions? Here are some answers.<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a blogger, I've received a substantial number of emails about Korea over the past two years. The common theme among the questions I get asked can easily be guessed: <i>money</i>. Understandably so, of course, as money is an important part of taking a job in a foreign country. So, it is my hope that the information I have gathered from the experiences of a variety of expats in Korea (myself, my friends, and fellow bloggers) will help answer your burning money questions...</span><br />
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<img alt="korea money won" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zmoney-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I get started, <em>here's a general disclaimer</em>: the following information does not, of course, account for every situation in Korea. This info should be used to give you a general idea of what to expect, but remember to calculate for some differences depending on area, salary, etc. Living in Gangnam is always going to cost more than living in Suwon, just as living in Pyeongtaek will be different from living in Incheon.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">That being said, let's get down to the questions...</span></em></div>
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1. Did your school help you set up a bank account? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a universal yes from everyone I've asked. You'll likely have to wait until your Alien Registration Card (ARC) has been processed by immigration, but there are ways around that in case immigration is moving at a slower-than-usual pace. My ARC, for example, took a little under two weeks, so when my first payday rolled around, my Assistant Branch Manager took me to the bank and got an account all set up for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't stress about this one -- someone will be there to help you out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Note: This is the case as a teacher with Chungdahm, so I can't speak to the level of assistance you'd receive at a different school. Though, honestly, I'm sure there will be people to help you because if not... that's just damn ridiculous.)</span></div>
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2. On average, how much do rent and utilities cost? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rent is the biggest variable since it depends on location and the type of apartment you're given. From the people I've asked -- located in Seoul, Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Daegu, and Busan -- you can expect your rent to be around or under $500. In smaller cities, you might be looking at something closer to $300, whereas in bigger cities, definitely closer to $500 or even higher. In Incheon, I pay 440,000 won per month for my single room, loft apartment. Having the loft definitely makes it more expensive than a tiny studio apartment, but all in all, it's still a good deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Utilities depends on the weather of your area (obviously) and also how well you manage it. In months with nice weather, your bills might be miniscule. In the middle of the summer heat, they might be over 200,000 won (roughly $200). </span></div>
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3. How expensive is it to get around via subway or bus? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh man, you're going to love this. <em>It is so cheap</em>. I can get from Incheon to anywhere in the greater Seoul area for under 2,000 won. The base fare is around a buck, and depending on how far you go, they might tack on a little bit more (but no more than another 1,000 won) when you get off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Take advantage of the public transportation -- it's cheap and very convenient. </span></div>
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4. How much do you spend on food in an average week? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday, I stopped by the neighborhood supermarket, Lotte, for some basics. Ground pork, spinach, milk, cream cheese, sprouts, bread, and eggs. The total? Around 20,000 won. Some things are pricey here, like cheese and fruit, while others are more in line with our Western standards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When it comes to food, it depends on how you approach your meals. It's easy to grab something quick from Paris Baguette or another cafe on your way into work. A salad or a sandwich will run around 5,000 won. Or, you can stop by a gimbap house and pick up a gimbap roll (around 3,000 won) or some bibimbap (around 5,000 won).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before coming to Korea, I heard a lot of people tell me it's cheaper to eat out than in, and honestly, it's a 50-50 split. I manage to make cooking at home inexpensive because I've learned to cater my menus to what I can get a good deal on. Grabbing food in a restaurant is also very inexpensive though, <em>especially</em> if you stick to Korean food. There have been many a night when we've stuffed ourselves with Korean BBQ and the total is under 10,000 won a person!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My advice: brew coffee at home, pack lunches for work, and eat dinner at Korean restaurants. When I was on a money saving mission to afford a lengthy vacation back home, I was comfortably living on $100 a week. I've even made it by on $10 a day before! </span></div>
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5. What can I expect for a cellphone plan? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cellphone plans here vary quite a bit. Some are as cheap as 30,000 won a month -- typically those are little flip or slider phones. Others, like mine, are 80,000 won a month. The way it will work if you want to get a smartphone, which is what I have, is you will be paying off the cost of the phone a little bit each month. That's why my plan is so expensive. I upgraded to an iPhone 5S recently, so I'm paying 80,000 won a month. That covers unlimited calls and texts, a generous data plan, and part of the cost of the iPhone. That's just one example, but since the 5S is a popular phone right now, I think it's a good indicator of what you can expect.</span></div>
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6. How much money are you able to send home each month? </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saving money and sending it home is probably a priority for most of us. After all, Korea is one of the best paying countries for ESL teachers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To answer this question, I'll just outline my own financial situation: In Korea, I have to pay rent, utility bills, my cellphone, and my health insurance. Back home, I have around $800+ in bills to pay -- student loans, car payments, credit card payments, etc. All that considered, I am able to send a minimum of $1000 home each month. That leaves me with more than enough money to cover expenses in Korea, eat out in restaurants with my friends most nights, and do more shopping than I need to at the mall down the street. I may not be saving a ton of money due to focusing on paying down debt and enjoying my life in Korea, but I'm still living very, <em>very</em> comfortably.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At a minimum, you should be able to send home <em>$1000 each month</em>, either to pay bills or to put straight into your savings. Not bad, amirite?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When it comes to sending money home, it's really simple and quick. The first time you do the transfer, you'll need the assistance of a teller (bring your passport AND Alien Registration Card!), but after that, you can do it from an ATM! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully those answers are helpful! The money situation in Korea, while stressful while you're in the process of moving out here, is really quite simple and convenient.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have any other questions or any experiences to add to this entry, leave a comment below! </span></em></div>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-38774155263497287632014-06-28T12:52:00.000+09:002014-06-28T12:58:38.786+09:005 Misconceptions About Life in Korea<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103810/5-Misconceptions-About-Life-in-Korea" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i><br />
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So, you're thinking of moving to Korea to teach English. Maybe you already know a lot about the country, maybe you don't. But you hear it's a good place to live and work, and you're absolutely right. However, in your internet research and conversations with family and friends, you've probably come across a lot of sweeping statements about the country and its people that have given you pause. While I'm no expert, let me attempt to mythbust some of the more common misconceptions about living and working in Korea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmbMHaRKfvFICzGHLdd7GmCRwEkYFGUGeSUWJmtdN1J9rrDmQDHTVFc1mcg0ZwaUn6l8f7rnGiI47wNWuNrAO5cwTSNA5YkoOxizHwVks87tnOy31QbLkQItpawtaPJ8mitQEB-a8vqmS/s1600/zmalk1-resized-600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmbMHaRKfvFICzGHLdd7GmCRwEkYFGUGeSUWJmtdN1J9rrDmQDHTVFc1mcg0ZwaUn6l8f7rnGiI47wNWuNrAO5cwTSNA5YkoOxizHwVks87tnOy31QbLkQItpawtaPJ8mitQEB-a8vqmS/s1600/zmalk1-resized-600.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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1. "You're moving to South Korea? Isn't that kind of... rural?"</h4>
This level of ignorance, unfortunately, is really common. There's a surprising lack of information about Korea being taught in schools. Beyond briefly covering the Korean War in history classes, it wasn't until I was looking into moving here that I learned much of anything about the country.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a result, people will automatically liken your experience to the first thing they can associate with the place, which for South Korea, is frequently the TV show "M*A*S*H." As an Oklahoman, I can relate deeply to the frustration of this comparison, as most people think of my state in terms of The Grapes of Wrath or "Twister."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see from the photo above, Korea has very, very developed cities. Obviously, some areas</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">are still rural, as with any other country, but it's absurd for people to think of Korea as a country full of huts with thatched rooftops. </span><br />
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<h4>
2. "Aren't you worried that North Korea is going to attack?!"</h4>
I'm sure you've heard this question approximately a billion times. When I first moved here, I definitely wasn't worried, but I still found myself a little jumpy when my city would run its standard siren tests and the like. After a couple bewildered afternoons of hearing warning sirens and not knowing what was going on, I started asking my Korean friends and coworkers about their feelings on the situation. In short, they aren't worried. It was explained to me that there's basically no chance North Korea would actuall<span style="font-family: inherit;">y try something shady simply because it would mean the end of North Korea, which is the last thing the North Korean government actually wants.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was actually back in the States last year during North Korea's huffing and puffing and it was very interesting (and alarming) to see how Western media was blowing it all out of proportion. South Korea, on the other hand, shrugged it off. Definitely gives some insight into the true nature of the situation.</span></span><br />
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My advice for handling this question? Refer your concerned family and friends to <a href="http://serve.cdnzoom.com/SportsBlogcom/filewarehouse/45089/1562ee101e392fd465cde028b81f2561.gif" target="_blank">this gif</a>.<br />
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3. "You're kind of tall -- you're going to stick out / won't be able to find clothes that fit you!"</h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I'm only a whopping 5'7" (or roughly 170cm), I had a lot of people give me the impression that I, as a woman, would positively be towering over the Korean population The Asian stereotype is that they, genetically, are all petite -- short, small-framed, thin. This isn't untrue, it just isn't the standard by which you should be comparing yourself or people from this part of the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Statistically, I am above the average height of Korean women, but from what I've seen in my own students, that's definitely starting to change. I have numerous middle school students, both boys and girls, who are my height <em>or</em> taller. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As far as clothing shopping goes, there are tons of Western stores that carry Western sizes, so I haven't had any issues with finding pants in my size or dresses that aren't way too short. The same goes for guys and anyone else who isn't petite -- no one I know has had a hard time finding clothing.</span></div>
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4. "Good luck learning the language, I've heard it's really hard."</h4>
This one is really only half misconception, but I'm listing it because I feel like Korean is built up to be exceptionally difficult, which then scares people away. Korean uses sounds and grammar that will be harder for native English speakers, but don't let that scare you off. In addition, the use of non-Latin script is extremely daunting. So, let me reassure you -- <i>hangul</i> absurdly easy to learn and so, so logical. (Trust me, I have a minor in Japanese -- <i>that</i> is a complicated set of alphabets. Korean is a cakewalk in comparison.)<br />
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The first step to functional Korean is to learning the alphabet. This will make your life infinitely easier as you will then be able to read and it is definitely the foundation you'll need for tackling the rest of the language.<br />
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5. "You definitely won't be able to find ____ over there, so stock up before you go!"</h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Be wary of reading this on blogs, especially if the information is even a year old. So much has changed since I came here in 2011. Items that I used to track down in foreign marts in Seoul can now be found in stores like HomePlus, which seems to be constantly expanding its assortment of Tesco products. Even smaller grocers and convenience stores have started selling Dr Pepper and Reese's candy bars -- two things that used to be <i>extremely</i> difficult to find. Deodorant is now widely available not only in the big grocery stores but also in little cosmetic boutiques. Websites like <a href="http://global.gmarket.co.kr/Home/Main" target="_blank">Gmarket</a> and <a href="http://www.iherb.com/" target="_blank">iHerb</a> offer basically everything you would need to supplement what you can find locally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Essentially, there is very little I have to do without at this point, making the move to Korea an even easier transition than before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moral of the story: Do your research well and beware of outdated information. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Anything to add to the list? Leave a comment below! </i></span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-8497878208997740362014-06-08T19:03:00.000+09:002014-06-08T19:03:53.311+09:00A Guide to Grocery Shopping in Korea<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103529/A-Guide-to-Grocery-Shopping-in-Korea" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I was preparing to move to Korea, I kept reading online that it was actually cheaper to eat at restaurants than it was to eat at home. This can definitely be true, but I still wanted to cook at home. It took me a while to fully suss out all of my grocery options without getting discouraged -- veggies and (especially) fruits can be significantly pricier here, as are things like ground beef. But, if you know how and where to shop, it's easy to find good deals and not break the bank while trying to cook at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to break this down into different categories of grocery shopping to give a clear overview of what to expect and what is at your disposal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. Big chain supermarkets: Lotte, HomePlus, and E-Mart</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You will likely have one of these huge stores near your apartment and/or school. Typically open until midnight, they're great for post-work grocery shopping and carry everything from food to clothes to literally anything else you might need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have all three of the big chains within walking distance of my apartment, and I would say that HomePlus is my favorite. They carry a better variety of products, including quite a lot of imported brands, and it just seems to be well-organized overall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shopping tip: Going late in the evening means you might be able to pick up produce and meat that's been marked down. Definitely a good way to save some money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. Small, neighborhood grocers</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I highly recommend frequenting your local grocery stores. Prices can be quite a bit lower on things like fresh produce and you can often get good deals on meat. The butcher who works at the grocery store around the corner from my apartment always gives us way more meat than we actually need, which really helps drive home the bargain and keeps us going back for more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my neighborhood, the large chain supermarkets are actually closed every other Sunday to give these smaller stores a business boost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. Traditional markets</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you a fan of farmers markets? Then definitely keep an eye out for <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/07/visiting-osans-221-year-old-traditional.html" target="_blank">traditional markets</a>. Some of these can be found in large open-air buildings, others are just set up along a particular street. You'll find everything you'd possibly want here, from fish to produce to spices. Don't be afraid to haggle, either -- you might be able to knock the price down a little. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. Convenience stores</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You may laugh at the idea of shopping in these, but convenience stores are a viable option for those times when you just need to run out and grab milk or eggs. If you're lucky, you might even be near a little mart that carries fruits, veggies, and other simple kitchen ingredients. Convenience stores are ubiquitous in this country, so there will definitely be one near you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. Costco</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is possibly the priciest option for grocery shopping on the list, simply because Costco carries a lot of imported goods and they sell in bulk. I usually go with a group of friends and we figure out how to split it all up to save money. I wrote a much more detailed post about Costco last year, which <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/09/tastes-like-home-trip-to-costco-in-korea.html" target="_blank">you can read here</a>. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any other tips for grocery shopping in Korea? Leave a comment below! </span></em></div>
<br />zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-62630952108837793982014-06-06T02:00:00.000+09:002014-09-06T23:27:28.257+09:005 MORE Must-See Spots in Incheon, Korea<div style="background-color: white; color: #7c7c7c; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<i style="color: #1f1e1e; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px;">This blog entry was originally published on the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aclipse Blog</a>, which is produced by current Chungdahm Learning teachers in Korea! The blog features entries on current events around Korea, advice for incoming teachers, and the best spots for sightseeing, shopping, and eating. The original entry can be viewed <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/bid/103628/5-MORE-Must-See-Spots-in-Incheon-Korea" style="color: #831414; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearly a year ago, I covered the <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/06/top-5-must-see-spots-in-incheon-south.html" target="_blank" title="top 5 things to do in Incheon">top 5 things to do in Incheon</a>: the world famous Incheon International Airport, Muuido/Wolmido/other surrounding islands, Chinatown/Jayu Park, Bupyeong Underground Shopping Center, and Soraepogu Fish Market. Now, after trying my hardest to do more exploring in the time since that post, I've come up with 5 <em>more</em> things worth checking out when you come visit Incheon. </span></div>
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1. Songdo</h4>
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<a href="http://www.songdo.com/songdo-international-business-district/the-city/master-plan.aspx">Songdo</a> is Incheon's new up-and-coming area for business. My CDI branch recently relocated to Songdo and I've really been enjoying exploring the area. There's good shopping and tons of great restaurants, so I definitely recommend wandering through this area. Keep an eye out for blog entries about Songdo coming soon!</div>
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2. Songdo's Central Park</h4>
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<span style="line-height: normal;">I recently spend an early evening wandering around </span><a href="http://www.songdo.com/songdo-international-business-district/the-city/lifestyle/central-park.aspx" style="line-height: normal;">Songdo's Central Park</a><span style="line-height: normal;"> and I was so taken with its landscaping and design that it gets a mention of its own. I am intensely jealous of the families living within walking distance of this park because I would probably go there daily if I could. While exploring Songdo, definitely make time to walk along the canal that runs through the park, taking time to rent a little peddle boat or to relax in one of the little gazebos.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">More info can be found <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1660/Songdo+Central+Park+%EC%86%A1%EB%8F%84+%EC%84%BC%ED%8A%B8%EB%9F%B4%ED%8C%8C%ED%81%AC" target="_blank">here via Trazy</a>.</span><br />
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3. Eulwangri Beach</h4>
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I love living near the ocean, but Incheon is unfortunately mostly shipyards. You can stroll along the shoreline in some areas, but as far as lounging on a beach goes, this isn't the place. However, beaches are still nearby, which I'm quite excited to explore as the temperatures climb in the coming months. On <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeongjongdo">Yeongjong Island</a>, aka the island where Incheon International Airport is located, is a pretty, white sand beach: <a href="http://eng.icjg.go.kr/menu03/beach_01.asp#">Eulwangri</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1828/Eurwangni+Beach+%EC%9D%84%EC%99%95%EB%A6%AC+%ED%95%B4%EC%88%98%EC%9A%95%EC%9E%A5" target="_blank">Check this out</a> for more details.</div>
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4. Incheon Grand Park</h4>
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The beautiful spring weather has me somewhat fixated on spending time outdoors right now, hence another mention of a park. <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1749911">Incheon Grand Park</a> is still on my to-do list, but I'm really looking forward to checking it out. The park boasts 727 acres of land that includes a botanical garden, a zoo, hiking, and bike rental -- definitely sounds like a great place to spend a day soaking up the sun.</div>
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5. Sinpo Market</h4>
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<span style="line-height: normal;">I spent an afternoon in </span><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=1244616" style="line-height: normal;">Sinpo Market</a><span style="line-height: normal;"> last summer during my great <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2013/10/my-great-k-pop-adventure-part-one.html" target="_blank">K-pop</a> <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/01/my-great-k-pop-adventure-part-two.html" target="_blank">adventure</a> and really enjoyed it. Largely, the draw is the food, and much like other traditional markets (such as Gwangjang in Seoul), you should enter Sinpo with an appetite. When I visited, I was unaware of the market's specialty food: dakgangjeong, which is fried chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce. Since I'm a sucker for Korean street and market foods, I'm definitely planning to make a trip back just to try that chicken.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1766/Sinpo+International+Market+%EC%8B%A0%ED%8F%AC%EA%B5%AD%EC%A0%9C%EC%8B%9C%EC%9E%A5" target="_blank">More info here!</a></span><br />
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Honorable Mention: The 17th Asian Games</h4>
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Since this is a 2014-only event, it's getting placed as an honorable mention. From the 19th of September to the 4th of October, Incheon is hosting the <a href="https://www.incheon2014ag.org/index">17th Asian Games</a> and it sounds like it's going to be quite the event. I've always been interested in attending a big sports event like this, so I'm looking forward to checking it out this fall.</div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/start-your-application/" target="_blank" title="you">you</a> been to any of these spots in Incheon? Do you know of anything else to do in Incheon that I've completely failed to mention? Leave a comment below! </span></em></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-12319897123943992822014-05-19T00:30:00.002+09:002014-05-21T20:01:36.236+09:00What's your "home away from home?" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was recently contacted by the friendly people at <a href="http://dogvacay.com/">DogVacay</a> to answer a simple question: </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">What is your home away from home?</span></i></div>
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I cycled through endless possibilities -- all of the places that have been important to me over the years. Sometimes it's been the ballet studio, sometimes it's been inside a favorite book.<br />
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But now, after two and a half years on the other side of the Pacific from my <i>actual</i> home, I have to say that my home away from home has become Korea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pPQ1VAurxRvyiWqcW6e0B0TRqaknhlUTq-hFVUumGo7gV1L3xjCZhYHaYbLBrc7o0Ozan4T3ShQLvXQ7RrsFhUMOchFqPH7fR4TApIskL7NQCXTdm0hOXAF65cEZQ9i8sTAX5VLrA0Li/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pPQ1VAurxRvyiWqcW6e0B0TRqaknhlUTq-hFVUumGo7gV1L3xjCZhYHaYbLBrc7o0Ozan4T3ShQLvXQ7RrsFhUMOchFqPH7fR4TApIskL7NQCXTdm0hOXAF65cEZQ9i8sTAX5VLrA0Li/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I moved to Korea, I never thought expat life would be this easy. I found myself settling in quickly and experiencing very minor culture shock. While I'm sure my prior knowledge of Asian culture from years of studying Japanese helped me adapt, ultimately, I think Korea is just an incredibly welcoming and comfortable country.<br />
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The food, the festivals, and all of my students -- they are now home. I thought a temporary move -- one year abroad -- would be it, never thinking I would end up staying for three.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmvP2IM52HU0Wqvq96aqdQfOxGt-1zt4sNA0WjRJC_06lsgwv2ClSaaRNEgvkGdst2oZGOsXpOzQMKZZlGv_HA7TFAF2qaNjJfxgBEXqkX3m9_x6XglrgiyiwPuqdCQvEGApmd0kRROUn/s1600/IMG_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmvP2IM52HU0Wqvq96aqdQfOxGt-1zt4sNA0WjRJC_06lsgwv2ClSaaRNEgvkGdst2oZGOsXpOzQMKZZlGv_HA7TFAF2qaNjJfxgBEXqkX3m9_x6XglrgiyiwPuqdCQvEGApmd0kRROUn/s1600/IMG_3628.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNi5YrkGJCyKsvcpC1RU_qAomdhQ3ud7mGXXFlBUDR_sNyqfvNqWssFmdtrV_I5j4I75Y2yn9syVJ5gXk3721pbk7zkzGT7OLd5yi0UnadQlsO87IfJH1xralWmvs7jUc-Gwshuin5NgB/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNi5YrkGJCyKsvcpC1RU_qAomdhQ3ud7mGXXFlBUDR_sNyqfvNqWssFmdtrV_I5j4I75Y2yn9syVJ5gXk3721pbk7zkzGT7OLd5yi0UnadQlsO87IfJH1xralWmvs7jUc-Gwshuin5NgB/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I only have six more months in this country, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Some days, I'm really ready to go home (I miss my dog! And, my family and friends, of course). Others, I can't imagine what it will be like to leave this place behind.<br />
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But when I do leave, a part of me will be left behind, that much I do know.<br />
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So, now you tell me. What's your home away from home? #HAFH2014</div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-18628637957223179632014-05-18T15:42:00.000+09:002014-09-06T23:24:17.822+09:00Street Food at Gwangjang Market<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Korean street food. Three words that will always, without a doubt, get my attention. As someone who's constantly hungry, the delicious options at the street food carts in Korea won me over instantly. Imagine my excitement, then, when a friend suggested stopping by Gwangjang Market in Seoul for dinner, telling me it offered basically every kind of street food imaginable...</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang1-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1397993422086" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the entrances to the food part of the market.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=790&lang=en&m=0003001005003&p=05" target="_blank" title="Gwangjang">Gwangjang</a>, (or Kwangjang, as it's sometimes spelled,) is one of Korea's oldest markets, dating back to 1905. Like most markets in the area, it's also an excellent spot for shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, we approached the market with the express purpose of eating, having spent the day shopping and wandering aroung the new <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/05/dongdaemun-design-plaza-park.html" target="_blank" title="Dongdaemun Design Plaza">Dongdaemun Design Plaza</a>. As we entered the market, we were immediately overwhelmed with tons of stalls selling every kind of street food.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The little "restaurants" all look about like this -- a tiny kitchen surrounded by a counter with stools.</span></em><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang4-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the main aisles of the market.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We walked the length of one of the aisles, taking in all of our options, before we decided to pick a spot with some empty seats and order. While we were walking, I kept noticing these tiny little rolls of <em>gimbap</em> stacked up. That's when I suddenly remembered that I'd read about this market and this particular kind of <em>gimbap</em>: aka <em>drug gimbap</em>. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang5-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give me all the drug gimbap you have.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, this <em>gimbap</em> doesn't contain any drugs. Its name, <em><a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1818/Mayak+Kimbab+%EB%A7%88%EC%95%BD%EA%B9%80%EB%B0%A5" target="_blank">mayak gimbap</a></em>, which means "drug <em>gimbap</em>," refers to the "addictive" quality of these little bite-sized pieces of <em>gimbap</em> and the mustard-soy dipping sauce it's served with. I'd been curious to try it out since reading about it in a blog, and they weren't exaggerating -- it's <em>goooood</em>. Between the sauce and the small bites, it really is easy to just pop one into your mouth after another. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang6-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're looking for this gimbap in the market, you can keep an eye out for the gimbap rolls themselves, or any sign that reads "마약 김밥" (mayak gimbap), like the white sign behind her head in the photo.</span></em><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang7-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">So many foods to try! I wanted to order everything.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I ate my <em>gimbap</em>, my friends ordered one of Gwangjang Market's other popular eats: <em><a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/1825/Soon-Hee+Bindaetteok+%EC%88%9C%ED%9D%AC%EB%84%A4+%EB%B9%88%EB%8C%80%EB%96%A1%2C+%EA%B4%91%EC%9E%A5%EC%8B%9C%EC%9E%A5" target="_blank">bindaetteok</a></em>, which is a fried pancake made of ground mung beans. Crispy and hot, everyone happily inhaled these.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang8-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The sauce for the gimbap = perfect.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After eating as much as we could, we were shooed along by the women running the stall -- a queue had formed behind us of customers who were waiting to sit down and order food. Definitely approach this market with patience, especially if you go around dinner time as it gets quite busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the way out, I decided I needed something sweet, and immediately began scanning signs for <em>hotteok</em>, which is a simple fried pancake filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. As it's cooked, the filling turns into a sweet, syrupy mess and it's absolutely <em>heavenly</em>. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="gwangjang market seoul korean street food" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgwangjang9-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will find any possible opportunity to eat hotteok.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like most street food, grabbing a meal at Gwangjang Market is cheap. Really, really cheap. A serving of the <em>mayak gimbap</em> and one <em>hotteok</em> only set me back 3,500 won. That's less than $3.50 USD. The <em>bindaetteok</em> were 4,000 won each. There's so much more that I didn't get to try, too, so I'm definitely going to be making future trips to this market when I'm back in the area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">Directions & Information:</span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; list-style-type: square; margin: 6px 0px 6px 14px; padding: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jongno 5-ga Station, Seoul Metro Line 1, Exit 8 -or- Euljiro 4-ga Station, Seoul Metro Lines 2 and 5, Exit 4. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hours: 10am to 9-10pm. Hours will vary from stall to stall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pro tip: Bring cash. Most of these stalls don't accept cards.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, <a href="http://www.trazy.com/spot/481/Gwangjang+Market+%EA%B4%91%EC%9E%A5%EC%8B%9C%EC%9E%A5" target="_blank">check out Trazy's site</a> for the market.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I highly recommend stopping by <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=273761" target="_blank" title="Gwangjang Market">Gwangjang Market</a> if you're looking for delicious street food (and shopping, too!). Not only is it an experience within itself, it's also just a good spot to grab dinner after you've spent the day wandering around Seoul's markets! </span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-58168186494032692362014-05-06T18:31:00.000+09:002014-05-06T18:31:00.209+09:00Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Next to Dongdaemun Gate is an area of Seoul famous for its countless markets. From clothing to textiles to craft supplies -- it has literally everything you might ever want. Ever. Now, in the middle of these more traditional markets and hip shopping malls, a structure that looks like something out of a futuristic landscape has been added to this area's massive to-do list. This spaceship-like building is the new Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and it's really, </span><span style="background-color: white;">really</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> cool.</span></span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp1-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spaceship? Or building?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: normal;">The </span><a href="http://www.ddp.or.kr/MA010001/getInitPage.do" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Dongdaemun Design Plaza</a><span style="line-height: normal;">, or DDP, opened its doors on March 21st of this year, after over five years of planning and construction. According to the </span><a href="http://www.seouldesign.or.kr/eng/plaza/summary.jsp" target="_blank" title="Seoul Design Foundation's website">Seoul Design Foundation's website</a><span style="line-height: normal;">, the DDP is "the biggest three-dimensional atypical building in the world." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Just looking at it from the outside is a trip -- all the curves and silvery panels are just aesthetically pleasing. I'd noticed it being built during previous trips into Dongdaemun, wondering what on earth the giant alien structure was going to be, so I was quite eager to finally take a look around.</span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp2-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">So photogenic!</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The idea behind the DDP is that it will be a center for everything creative in the design community. Not only is it set up to feature exhibits from artists all over the world in its museum and exhibition halls, but it's full of little spots for these artists to actually sell their products. We were a little overwhelmed by the structure and didn't know where to start exactly with exploring the inside. Luckily, a map is posted at each entrance, explaining how the building is organized. Technically, it's kind of three buildings, which have been connected into one giant, curvy structure. Here's the map we found that was immensely helpful:</span></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep an eye out for these on the walls by all the doors!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can kinda tell from the above map, the DDP is divided into three sections that are actually three buildings, connected by all the curvy, fancy architecture. The sections are split into zones that cover six floors. To help explain some of what we saw, I'll use the following pictures and their captions: </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp4-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a photo from the Design Market, which features various retail shops, many of which are chains that you'll see elsewhere in Korea, and a decent selection of restaurants in a food court. This area in particular is open 24 hours a day! Which is pretty perfect if you happen to be in the area to see Dongdaemun's night markets.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp5-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">A couple shops in the Design Lab section. This was my favorite -- so many cool little stores selling products featuring up and coming designers. I feel like this would be a really, really good gift shopping spot. A lot of stationery items, gorgeous art prints, and other decorative items. <span style="line-height: normal; text-align: start;">I had to resist the urge to buy almost everything I saw.</span></span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp6-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aerial shot of a different part of the Design Lab. </span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp7-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even the coffee shop looks all space age! The information desks scattered throughout the building also have bizarre designs, but this little pod cafe was my favorite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We found little cubby holes! Perfect for children, and us, because we couldn't resist. Nearly everyone was stopping to take photos sitting in these little holes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bf70ls9oz4KBC1U-VjYVcfOF-tsXEhtewaHNkn57Z6OLTTlLMyh-lPAg5E5BK8IwZGUa3ZcDfefx0FhNQmZtRN7ArwHjCxfpCRy726bmytANbz32MU0Qju9nBDQc4XHKiRmn-QV3pdNA/s1600/photo+3+copy+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bf70ls9oz4KBC1U-VjYVcfOF-tsXEhtewaHNkn57Z6OLTTlLMyh-lPAg5E5BK8IwZGUa3ZcDfefx0FhNQmZtRN7ArwHjCxfpCRy726bmytANbz32MU0Qju9nBDQc4XHKiRmn-QV3pdNA/s1600/photo+3+copy+4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone hanging out along the weird cubby-bench-wall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77z-1JFtz8H8wZv8D8xHiMOt8HWYwFSDlIybG5WdP_I4W5Ae6RBmZsPLZHs1GFAOjvlncNEHG14vU_02Qq4f873bnesFJZHn0sAl_ByQ_0unYBXaLnbykuXJKI8cX2Mbubg6pcoxMM83O/s1600/photo+4+copy+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77z-1JFtz8H8wZv8D8xHiMOt8HWYwFSDlIybG5WdP_I4W5Ae6RBmZsPLZHs1GFAOjvlncNEHG14vU_02Qq4f873bnesFJZHn0sAl_ByQ_0unYBXaLnbykuXJKI8cX2Mbubg6pcoxMM83O/s1600/photo+4+copy+4.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No clue why there was a room full of balloons, but no one could go in, and the struggle was real for these little kids. (And me too.)</span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun design plaza and park seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zddp9-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Outside (and under?) the building is a large park area, called Oullim Square. While we were walking around, we caught sight of a suspicious number of girls in poofy-skirted dresses. Wondering if we might catch a flashmob, we stuck around, only to see not only an impromptu dance performance but also a magic show! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From its stunning architecture to everything it offers inside, you could easily spend hours upon hours wandering around. In fact, despite the hours we spent there, we didn't see everything! I'm looking forward to going back soon to explore it more and see the building at night. As impressive as it looks during the day, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=dongdaemun+design+plaza+night&espv=2&es_sm=119&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=KEBKU92MG9D88QXj14CIBw&ved=0CEYQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=578#q=dongdaemun+design+plaza+at+night&tbm=isch" target="_blank">in the evenings the panels light up</a>, making it look even more like a spaceship from another world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, after a day of wandering around the markets, or if you're looking to kill time before going to the late night markets, definitely make a stop by the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Great shopping, random performances, lots of restaurants, and countless photo ops! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTzHJmxEeJIV0lJM4i9mjqiCueK9iD67umJsjASUYD-feRwGigIH_NIS7KTEDUTccYSk0IuaUMCTnb7n03IfLBE75rY6I0OjY-iDFbk5y635LLjGA-e07he5wjCssDCOqw04jI50A3MWk/s1600/photo+4+copy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTzHJmxEeJIV0lJM4i9mjqiCueK9iD67umJsjASUYD-feRwGigIH_NIS7KTEDUTccYSk0IuaUMCTnb7n03IfLBE75rY6I0OjY-iDFbk5y635LLjGA-e07he5wjCssDCOqw04jI50A3MWk/s1600/photo+4+copy+3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Directions & information:</span> </span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; list-style-type: square; margin: 6px 0px 6px 14px; padding: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, Seoul Metro Lines 2, 4, and 5, Exit 1. As soon as you go out of exit 1, you'll be in Oullim Square.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hours: Art Hall - 9am-7pm, Museum - 10am-7pm, Design Lab - 10am-10pm, Oullim Square & Design Market - 24 hours! </span></li>
</ul>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-48380679772658367122014-05-04T23:34:00.000+09:002014-05-04T23:34:00.750+09:00Monthly Photo Recap: April 2014I know I seem to say this every month, but how is April already over?! The past few weeks have just flown by, which may partially be due to my excitement over my sister's visit. (She's here now!)<br />
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I've finally got an evening of downtime tonight since it's rainy outside, but we're going to watch a movie and bake banana bread tonight to gear up for the next two days of being busy. (Back-to-back holidays over here in Korea = four day weekend!) Here we go:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxI6tbLoQXKnR0J_YiJIeNfwVCNccT3jXZlzuSzpZ2qIggFG4-SE4VRzzllS8a81Cjp7lFM85LoeJ7oafKEl1_rBL7nPB9ReC-GXMCq8I2fOkaYkUcqlrD4sPV6CuwVFjourBwUmJ5lBQ/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxI6tbLoQXKnR0J_YiJIeNfwVCNccT3jXZlzuSzpZ2qIggFG4-SE4VRzzllS8a81Cjp7lFM85LoeJ7oafKEl1_rBL7nPB9ReC-GXMCq8I2fOkaYkUcqlrD4sPV6CuwVFjourBwUmJ5lBQ/s1600/photo1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This cat is just so photogenic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Cl4BjwfjIZpyeODWsHYDEbse9I6hSWSXP6g7lgYfJa0_xXUBHFXAxUmknduSoDnS15c_RYk_FNIBXUIvIkCbPDLV8RRR4VTfyp2Ov7qHFwMiQlqtUacG68rwatlFRO90HPyECAM72MR/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Cl4BjwfjIZpyeODWsHYDEbse9I6hSWSXP6g7lgYfJa0_xXUBHFXAxUmknduSoDnS15c_RYk_FNIBXUIvIkCbPDLV8RRR4VTfyp2Ov7qHFwMiQlqtUacG68rwatlFRO90HPyECAM72MR/s1600/photo2.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My selfie game is strong. (Mostly because I just centered this shot really well.) I'm pretty proud of this one -- all the lines and layers of reflections are just cool. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3wyO6MLHbM7atAnUCx02LybwPsMtXvsPk-kWkaMIxjODnoTrOpNU7eIDHbPVOKTB3abZtE-t17FAozhKYH7wDePRKBu84ttGqJdEjp6q7l_X03_jBMVHzE707KuxR-oHKwikmSzla6gm/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3wyO6MLHbM7atAnUCx02LybwPsMtXvsPk-kWkaMIxjODnoTrOpNU7eIDHbPVOKTB3abZtE-t17FAozhKYH7wDePRKBu84ttGqJdEjp6q7l_X03_jBMVHzE707KuxR-oHKwikmSzla6gm/s1600/photo3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I took an outrageous amount of photos of cherry blossoms this year. I might throw them all into a photo blog entry because <i>why not.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3o6W1gVCmlsklMIXZCawx3qUXYYQTA5cEwDCVdUMbmBoccki_JATcnD0u16mQxERDLHTTooZU6vYIP9sOy9vZ6v8iznO_UM-QfqpLz7IvJ_zX-BYtFMYLjl8zaX0T3aRbUsHuuJJ_HzT/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3o6W1gVCmlsklMIXZCawx3qUXYYQTA5cEwDCVdUMbmBoccki_JATcnD0u16mQxERDLHTTooZU6vYIP9sOy9vZ6v8iznO_UM-QfqpLz7IvJ_zX-BYtFMYLjl8zaX0T3aRbUsHuuJJ_HzT/s1600/photo4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally got to explore the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which is pretty cool both from the outside and on the inside. I definitely see myself going back and probably spending a lot of money on all the cool things in the shops. Blog entry all about it is scheduled for this week. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx8AcTzkQYg_Q5zm_Y-M300NGvjHGzmn5EYYjLLLuAx4iqKkj_EPcPP-n2OdGnrAClwiPxggrTIrdqWmc4kNF6NJeOg4YNqugHbM1xg2yF6WM3d6S2Ptaxwusaxk23MS3lLb09y8dXmz6/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx8AcTzkQYg_Q5zm_Y-M300NGvjHGzmn5EYYjLLLuAx4iqKkj_EPcPP-n2OdGnrAClwiPxggrTIrdqWmc4kNF6NJeOg4YNqugHbM1xg2yF6WM3d6S2Ptaxwusaxk23MS3lLb09y8dXmz6/s1600/photo5.JPG" height="400" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is also full of great photo spots, such as these cubby holes that were definitely full of children. We did not even hesitate to climb in ourselves, obviously.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKpFMshHNEAFrI6Rab50ZJgAEvk_BdI-55N-sfzNHNqk0TxGYIbAuRSj_c3nikiaY9EHBdZ9e4jgtRPef91zpMjO5apRmxK_mBaS9fHf1M6JbecBqCJr4IeHK6ENNSon-1uN-wWRGzbz/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKpFMshHNEAFrI6Rab50ZJgAEvk_BdI-55N-sfzNHNqk0TxGYIbAuRSj_c3nikiaY9EHBdZ9e4jgtRPef91zpMjO5apRmxK_mBaS9fHf1M6JbecBqCJr4IeHK6ENNSon-1uN-wWRGzbz/s1600/photo6.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit up Gwangjang Market for dinner after the day in Dongdaemun, and I finally tried to "drug gimbap" -- blog entry coming later this week! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhyaqDBUuR4Kj7zq7r8Pb_dUt0TcufjuyyB-XLsOnmSsOM8WoMSrnU5sWgDids9vsDzfpvHPEGRGxq803tUszZ6RKeWkvLt1TMVEFpX3xJ2MM0N8bgGBKnU3tu1yEANpqgPG4CtWDAOmg/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhyaqDBUuR4Kj7zq7r8Pb_dUt0TcufjuyyB-XLsOnmSsOM8WoMSrnU5sWgDids9vsDzfpvHPEGRGxq803tUszZ6RKeWkvLt1TMVEFpX3xJ2MM0N8bgGBKnU3tu1yEANpqgPG4CtWDAOmg/s1600/photo7.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More cherry blossoms. Can't stop, won't stop.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9UpYjIExk_HfSETAnjNE0W_wshzCfositMPj3CJgFbhWrgqJ9Tpn5HxfbbOJ4tZ91YOg7VZD9D55Lt-KoEVKnJXFw7sot3rOi1TijKa4j8O7oQe_QXmKrNJEdXh-gkRUo70v7xIkodSF/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9UpYjIExk_HfSETAnjNE0W_wshzCfositMPj3CJgFbhWrgqJ9Tpn5HxfbbOJ4tZ91YOg7VZD9D55Lt-KoEVKnJXFw7sot3rOi1TijKa4j8O7oQe_QXmKrNJEdXh-gkRUo70v7xIkodSF/s1600/photo8.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So we have a seriously legit Mexican restaurant in Songdo and it's already become a staple of my diet/life/existence. Living without Mexican food has been hard, y'all. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV3XOwiJNkCg4oIv9wIcrZgOhSaSfCq9b2mUmuizAOm8u2OC_T4xGxwgq7iBWcRB2utQzzGSCk7qDG541BIrgrgvvEGefuTtUM4RqNrxcO-2HzJSAan6WHdjsq1lejVvA4RJgC1zUVcSv/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV3XOwiJNkCg4oIv9wIcrZgOhSaSfCq9b2mUmuizAOm8u2OC_T4xGxwgq7iBWcRB2utQzzGSCk7qDG541BIrgrgvvEGefuTtUM4RqNrxcO-2HzJSAan6WHdjsq1lejVvA4RJgC1zUVcSv/s1600/photo9.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lanterns for Buddha's Birthday at Jogyesa! Waaaay more photos will be uploaded later this week once I sort through and edit them. It's my absolute favorite festival and I went nuts with taking pictures this year. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjekb_HEP_tHiwGwfX7fpGmwojeTfFDXTV8d9zY3os0AqFVzcyabNB67x0bHCwQQTsMlxbsAAcHl0KCrEjFmzSNT2-BE_DQfQyjRCxtRm1yFalpHlrpWlaOEdrDMmmyHdSnX0AFKLglpDh/s1600/photo10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjekb_HEP_tHiwGwfX7fpGmwojeTfFDXTV8d9zY3os0AqFVzcyabNB67x0bHCwQQTsMlxbsAAcHl0KCrEjFmzSNT2-BE_DQfQyjRCxtRm1yFalpHlrpWlaOEdrDMmmyHdSnX0AFKLglpDh/s1600/photo10.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More lanterns, being gorgeous.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxzqKw-TKOKWwpT7rmdYDLi36txTJ8HiGMoFlMXijrNe2hMOR-GCVNGSDtyl9SfcF5F-y7MKyc3UtQGqWPmQgEK6VEyjthMVAaL5oxifuners418YT6VPMzJWVsCEUGp7plEPL5OV1AMS/s1600/photo11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxzqKw-TKOKWwpT7rmdYDLi36txTJ8HiGMoFlMXijrNe2hMOR-GCVNGSDtyl9SfcF5F-y7MKyc3UtQGqWPmQgEK6VEyjthMVAaL5oxifuners418YT6VPMzJWVsCEUGp7plEPL5OV1AMS/s1600/photo11.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pre-lantern parade, which will also be covered in the future blog entry.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3bzjvEaRfJCUuziZcDwLKos_MFSGo84aJvUvUL_SFBuX9fP6QcEKG5egaFHDLG_D0nlbOCVLRlkPTJMfRTBjWOJOm_OW4iAWxoioDX-6ZfmWFNZ3KRdpoU2RjeGV-AgUv5sROOtIPs6V/s1600/photo12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3bzjvEaRfJCUuziZcDwLKos_MFSGo84aJvUvUL_SFBuX9fP6QcEKG5egaFHDLG_D0nlbOCVLRlkPTJMfRTBjWOJOm_OW4iAWxoioDX-6ZfmWFNZ3KRdpoU2RjeGV-AgUv5sROOtIPs6V/s1600/photo12.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And last but not least, my Chungdahm branch is finally making the switch to the new "smart" curriculum. Should be interesting -- it's all tablets and smart TVs and stuff, which I think will actually be pretty cool. (Provided we don't have crazy technical issues, of course. Knock on wood...) Definitely curious to see how this'll go over with the kids as well as how I actually feel about it once we implement it in the classroom. </span></td></tr>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-43121269824541870702014-05-04T18:13:00.000+09:002014-05-04T18:13:34.904+09:00New Favorite Spot: Bukchon Hanok Village<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just a short jaunt from my favorite area of Seoul, Insadong, is a neighborhood that's vying for the number two spot. Nestled between two palaces and overlooking hip Samcheongdong is the Bukchon Hanok Village -- narrow winding streets flanked with gorgeous hanok houses. I've taken a stroll through this neighborhood several times now and it just never gets old. Not only is this area ridiculously photogenic, but it also offers a variety of cultural activities and history lessons! </span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok1-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391610345095" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Old and new.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the basic history of the area: During the Joseon Dynasty, when the surrounding palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, were actually inhabited, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukchon_Hanok_Village" target="_blank" title="Bukchon area">Bukchon area</a> served as the residential quarters <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/intro/history.jsp" target="_blank" title="for the upper class">for the upper class</a>, such as nobility and high-ranking government officials. Urbanization, naturally, harmed these neighborhoods, as did the years of Japanese occupation and subsequent war. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the years after the Korean war, Seoul's rapid modernization lead to the demolition of even more hanok houses. It wasn't until the 2000s that the Seoul Metropolitan Government <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/intro/history.jsp" target="_blank" title="created new policies">created new policies</a> to beautify and preserve what was left of the hanok houses. </span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok2-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391609132324" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanok" target="_blank" title="hanok">hanok</a> houses themselves are works of art. The slope of the rooftops is just aesthetically pleasing, and all the intricate patterns on the walls, windows, and doors will keep any photo-happy tourist busy for hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to being a touristy, gorgeous neighborhood, it's actually still just that -- a neighborhood. As you walk around, you'll see signs about the neighborhood's curfew as well as a reminder to respect the privacy of the residents. </span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're hoping to get a glimpse inside the hanok houses, don't worry. They aren't all residential. In fact, many have been turned into mini-museums, showcasing artifacts and "intangible" cultural heritage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My first visit to Bukchon, I was completely unaware that these types of activities existed. Arriving shortly before closing time 5pm, we realized we were missing out on a ton of cultural workshops. I then vowed to go back and try to start exploring what the different hanok houses had to offer. </span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok4-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391609773547" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just look for signs like this outside some of the hanok houses -- it means there's something cool inside! </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was in Bukchon most recently, we wandered into a hanok house that had a sign outside advertising different kinds of alcohol. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by an older gentleman who worked there and spoke excellent English. He told us about the history of the neighborhood, the house we were in, and led us through the different gallery rooms with display cases full of beautiful folk crafts.</span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok5-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391611170804" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After we looked all around, our host told us about what this particular hanok house offered: soju tasting. We all grimaced, as it was around noon, but he assured us that it was just tiny samples.</span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok7-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391611994261" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Only three of our party decided to do the alcohol tasting, and the price listed above provided enough for us to split it.</span></em></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok8-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391611123278" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">From top to bottom: the (very strong) soju, the yakju, and the makgeolli. The makgeolli and yakju were my favorites! </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After sampling the drinks, we made more conversation with our host and were brought free samples of <em>moju</em>, which I had never had before. It's a "folk" liquor that's made from boiling down makgeolli and mixing it with medicinal herbs. It was sweet and warm and delicious -- also with a <em>very</em> low alcohol content. Our host told us that it's thought of as a drink served by Korean moms since it's full of herbs and spices! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We didn't have time to check out any of the other hanok houses on this particular visit, which I suppose just means I'll have to be making another weekend trip over there sometime soon. No complaints here -- I saw signs on other hanok houses for embroidery and pottery museums, which might even include some kind of workshop! </span></div>
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<img alt="bukchon hanok village seoul korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zhanok9-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1391611118644" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information about the attractions of Bukchon, check out <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.jsp" target="_blank" title="this excellent website">this excellent website</a> by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. You can read more about the history as well as getting a preview of the <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/exp/exp03.jsp" target="_blank" title="museums">museums</a>, cultural <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/exp/exp02.jsp" target="_blank" title="workshop experiences">workshop experiences</a>, and a <a href="http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/exp/rcourse01.jsp" target="_blank" title="map for a walking tour">map for a walking tour</a>. As you walk around, keep an eye out for information guides -- they'll have red aprons and are always happy to hand you a map and suggest the best route. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Directions: </u></span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anguk Station (on Line 3), Exit 2. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walk straight for about 300m, keeping an eye out for signs/Tourist Information Center. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I highly recommend spending an afternoon (or four) in the Bukchon Hanok Village. Between the photo opportunities and all the activities, it's definitely a neat, culturally infused way to learn more about Korea's past. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you been to the Bukchon Hanok Village or any other hanok villages in Korea? Leave a comment below to share your experiences or thoughts! </span></em></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-33602670367401865922014-04-30T16:40:00.000+09:002014-04-30T16:40:00.763+09:00Springtime in Korea = Cherry BlossomsMy favorite season in Korea is a toss up between spring and fall. Both feel rewarding because they're such stark contrasts to the preceding season's extremes. Springtime, however, might have a slight edge over fall simply because with spring comes the <i>cherry blossoms</i>.<br />
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To me, the cherry blossoms officially herald the beginning of sunny, warm days, and making time to see them is always on the top of my spring to-do list. I completely missed them last spring while I was home in the U.S., so this year, being as it's my last Korean spring, I was determined to get my fill.<br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch1-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I'd hoped to head down south to Jinhae for <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700520" target="_blank" title="their huge festival">their huge festival</a>, but I learned the hard way that tickets for the train need to be booked <em>far</em> in advance. However, it was for the best because the warm winter caused the trees in Seoul to bloom earlier than estimated this year. The annual <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700464" target="_blank">Yeouido Spring Flower Festival</a> was set to kick off the weekend of April 12th, but it got bumped up one week, beginning instead on the 4th. Since I wasn't going down to Jinhae, the timing was perfect to make the (much, much shorter) journey into Seoul.</span><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch2-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Entrance to the festival at one end of the street.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been to this festival before so I was really looking forward to going again this year. Last time, though, I stuck to the area around the <a href="http://blog.aclipse.net/teach-in-Korea/?Tag=Han+River" target="_blank" title="Han River">Han River</a>. The park that lies between Mapo, Yeouido, and Yeouinaru stations and the river is just lousy with cherry blossoms. Last weekend I spent some time soaking up the sun at the park along the Han River and we saw some beautiful cherry blossoms while we wandered around.</span><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Han River and the park.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While that area itself is beautiful, I didn't realize until this year that I was completely missing a more picturesque part of the festival. If you wander away from the river a bit, you'll find a street, Yeouiseo-ro (or Yunjung-no), behind the National Assembly Building that is completely lined with hundreds of trees. The trees form a tunnel in some areas along the sidewalk, which is just gorgeous.</span><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch4-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Canopy of white and pink.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch5-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bright blue sky really makes the branches of blossoms pop.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The festival was packed when we arrived, with everyone moving at a leisurely pace down the street. Families, couples, bicycles, photographers -- everyone seemed to be out to enjoy the cherry blossoms and spring weather. Luckily, they have the street blocked off to cars, making it easy to wander and pause to take pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lots of booths were also set up, ranging from boutiques selling jewelry to demos of 3-D printers. There were some arts and crafts areas, all charging a low price to make bracelets, paint a fan, or just draw a picture. You could even have your portrait (slash caricature) drawn. One of the more entertaining areas was a stretch of tents full of musical instruments. It was too crowded for us to find out why all the instruments were out on display, so we just watched from afar as kids ran around playing on the drum kits and xylophones.</span><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms spring korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch6-resized-600.jpeg" id="img-1396789298337" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the rows of booths.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch7-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Portraits.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch8-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">New favorite drummer.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch9-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">This magician was a big hit with the kids.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some musical performances were happening as well, from impromptu busking to a band playing on a full stage. The only performance we stopped to watch is one that always catches my attention whenever I see it -- <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pungmul" target="_blank">pungmul</a></em> (which historically has been known as <em>nongak</em>, meaning "farmers' music"), which is a traditional Korean folk music drumline. The dancing and swirling ribbons attached to the hats is mesmerizing.</span><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch11-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pungmul in action.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch10-resized-600.jpeg" id="img-1396790050418" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perched in a tree, watching the performance.</span></em></div>
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Sadly, the cherry blossoms are all gone now. They never last long, which I hate, simply because I want the trees to look like that <i>all</i> the time. </div>
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For future reference, since it's an annual thing, here's the information for how to get to the festival: </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">Directions:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">National Assembly Station, Seoul Metro Line 9, Exit 1. After leaving the station, cross the street, walking towards to National Assembly Building. The cherry blossoms are along the u-shaped road that wraps around the grounds of the government buildings. This map can help as a reference of the layout of the street around the buildings:</span></li>
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<img alt="cherry blossoms springtime korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zch14-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-74005528823480555672014-04-29T16:31:00.000+09:002016-03-23T15:46:10.745+09:00Visiting Ulleungdo: Korea's "Mysterious" IslandContinuing in the vein of Things I Should've Blogged About Months Ago, here's another overdue entry: Ulleungdo. I still dream about this island, and I'm planning at least one photo blog as a follow-up to this entry. It was just so, so beautiful and I kind of wish I could live there. Sigh.<br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">This past year, Korea's Chuseok holiday fell on a Thursday, meaning we would have Wednesday-Friday off from work. A glorious 5-day weekend is a rare thing, so I was resolved to go <i>somewhere</i>. As I watched airplane tickets to international destinations steadily climb in price, I looked to domestic spots. Ulleungdo, an island off of Korea's east coast, was high on my <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/p/korea-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Korea Bucket List</a>, and the Chuseok weekend seemed like a prime opportunity.</span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ulleungdopano1-resized-600.jpeg" id="img-1380462977886" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">I'd been drooling over pictures of Ulleungdo for over a year by the time I finally found the opportunity to go. As it's a bit of a trek away from Incheon, most holiday weekends weren't every quite long enough -- driving across the peninsula takes a good chunk of time, and that's without the ferry ride out into the East Sea to reach the island.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As if to further encourage my decision to finally head out to Ulleungdo, <a href="http://www.adventurekorea.com/" target="_blank" title="Adventure Korea">Adventure Korea</a> had a special holiday trip to the island, which included pretty much everything -- transportation there and back, three nights in a hotel, various activities, as well as most of our meals. It all looked amazing and the price was right, so some friends and I booked our spots and started obsessively Googling the island. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulleungdo" target="_blank" title="Ulleungdo">Ulleungdo</a>, without a doubt, is breathtakingly beautiful, and aptly nicknamed the "mysterious" island because of its stunning scenery. Over and over I've read articles and blogs that claim Ulleungdo is actually better than Jeju. The two islands are similar in that they're both the result of volcanic activity, so both have striking land formations and great hiking paths. <a href="http://zannahinkorea.blogspot.kr/2014/03/my-favorite-spots-on-jeju-island.html" target="_blank">I've been to Jeju since</a> this Ulleungdo trip, and since it was in late January, it wasn't exactly prime weather to fully appreciate Jeju's beauty. I'm reserving my final judgment for a time when I can see Jeju when it's lush and green, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ulleungdo is actually prettier. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz3-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can I just live here?</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our Adventure Korea guides also insisted that Ulleungdo is better than Jeju, largely because they feel like Ulleungdo has yet to be overrun with tourists. While tourism is Ulleungdo's largest industry, it's less developed, so it still feels like a small island full of fishing villages. Island people just seem to move at a slower pace, which definitely makes for an appealing, relaxing vacation.</span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz4-resized-600.jpeg" id="img-1380465035281" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We left for the island on Tuesday night from Seoul, filling a couple buses that drove all night to the east coast. We stopped at a beach to watch the sunrise before heading to the ferry terminal. Our ferry left from Mukho harbor and took about 3 1/2 hours to reach Ulleungdo. Luckily, we had mostly clear skies to and from the island, but be warned that a ferry's voyage depends entirely on the weather. While it wasn't an issue for us, Adventure Korea wisely scheduled the return to the mainland on a Saturday just to allow for the potential delay due to bad weather. Also, should you be worried about seasickness, medicine can be purchased easily at your local pharmacy or in the ferry terminal itself. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz5-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our ride to the island: the Sunflower 2.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz6-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The inside of the ferry felt a lot like an airplane with sections of lettered and numbered assigned seats.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz7-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />First glimpses of the island from the ferry window.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">About 125 people were on the Adventure Korea trip, so they rented out what I assume must've been the majority of a hotel with traditional floor-mat sleeping. Our meals were largely in the hotel restaurant, which served a variety of Korean food buffet-style. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz8-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simple but comfortable. </span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent our days on the island wandering around, following the seaside paths and various hiking trails to points that revealed gorgeous views of the island and deep turquoise blue water. The volcanic eruptions formed some really amazing caves, particularly right along the waterfront, through which walking paths have been built. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz9-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz10-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel like this would be a lovely picnic spot.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also included in our tour package was a cable car ride, which was a really spectacular way to get a bird's eye view on one of the villages. From the peak, we were able to look into some binoculars and see the nearby, and hotly contested, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liancourt_Rocks" target="_blank" title="Dokdo">Dokdo</a>. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz11-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dodong, where we were staying, from above.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On our second morning we had the option of a three hour bus tour, which drove along the coast and stopped at most of the picturesque sites, giving us time to wander around. This was especially awesome because our last day was largely free time, so the bus tour gave us a nice preview of areas that we might want to revisit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I went completely crazy taking pictures -- Korea in general is extremely photogenic with its mountains and palaces and neon lights, but Ulleungdo is on an entirely different level. I feel like it's actually a <em>challenge</em> to take a bad picture of this place. (Sorting through my 200+ pictures to choose a handful for this photo-heavy blog entry was hard!)</span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz12-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Turtle Rock, which was one of my favorite spots.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz13-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />Samseonam Rock sticking up in the distance.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz14-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />Another seaside walking path along/above/through the rocks.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz15-resized-600.jpeg" id="img-1380467547259" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ulleungdo is well-known for two things: pumpkins and squid. Pumpkin candies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin jelly, and pumpkin makgeolli were everywhere, the latter being my personal favorite. Definitely something to hunt down when on the island. It was de-licious, especially when served up with some pajeon.</span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz16-resized-600.jpeg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hobak (pumpkins) as far as the eye can see! </span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their famous squid was literally <i>everywhere</i>. Racks of it were leaning up against every other house or restaurant, stretched out on a popsicle stick for drying. You could also eat squid in nearly every form: raw, semi-dried, totally dried, grilled, in soup... the list goes on and on. We didn't get a chance to sample the raw squid, but we did try a couple different varieties of the dried and had a really delicious squid soup for lunch. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz17-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz18-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melt-in-your-mouth delicious squid. </span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing Ulleungdo lacks is the traditional sandy beaches. The beaches they do have are rocky, which left us really wishing we'd thought to bring water shoes. The rocky beaches did not, however, stop us from jumping in and swimming around. The water was cool and salty and felt <em>amazing</em> after a warm day of hiking around the island. (Though keep an eye out for jellyfish!)</span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz19-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a few spots where you can even jump into the water from a bridge or dock!</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ulleungdo is a small island, but there are so many <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309428#1" target="_blank" title="other attractions">other attractions</a> we didn't get around to doing. There's a monorail, more seaside paths, tons of hiking, beautiful forests, and quite a few other rocky beaches. You can even take a ferry out to Dokdo and see it in person, should you care about that kind of thing. (I don't... Sorry, Korea.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My typical go-getter approach to a vacation in a new place was heavily curbed by my need to relax -- I wanted to stroll along the shoreline, eat good food, collect bits of seaglass, and just soak up the sunshine and nature. </span><br />
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<img alt="ulleungdo korea mysterious island" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ucz20-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Posing with Ulleungdo's happy little pumpkin and squid mascots.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I have a decent amount of time left in Korea and a lot of places left to check out, I already know that Ulleungdo is one of my favorite places that I have seen <em>or</em> will see. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">I think that going without a tour group wouldn't be as difficult as I'd initially thought from what I've read online, but it was definitely nice to have transportation and activities all arranged for us. (Though if you can go to Ulleungdo and have a car, you'll be golden. We had buses that drove us around and we used taxis a couple times, but being able to drive yourself would be ideal.) If you're looking for a pre-organized trip, I highly recommend Adventure Korea's annual Chuseok trip, so if you're already planning for this year's holiday, keep it in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Between the rural, quiet fishing village vibe and the awe-inspiring scenery, I can't emphasize enough that you all <em>need</em> to go visit this island. You won't regret it. </span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-77017079608056958302014-04-28T16:14:00.000+09:002014-04-28T16:14:00.160+09:00Cave Exploring: Hwanseongul in Samcheok<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I'm terrible at remembering to finish and publish blog entires, I have a lot of catching up to do... So, let's rewind to last fall when Dinah and Marley came to visit and we took a trip over to Korea's east coast...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A trip to Samcheok on Korea's east coast isn't complete without a visit to one of its best tourist destinations: Hwanseon Cave. I'd never been in a large cave before, so I was seriously excited to check out one that boasted being not only the "largest limestone cave in Korea," but also one of the largest in all of Asia. Last fall, I took a weekend trip with some friends who were visiting from the U.S. and the cave was just as awe-inspiring as we were hoping.</span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave12-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1381767657702" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Samcheok" target="_blank" title="Samcheok">Samcheok</a> area is full of activities, such as a very, ahem, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haesindang_Park" target="_blank" title="special park">special park</a> (photo blog coming soon of this gem...), gorgeous beaches, delicious seafood, railbiking, and great hiking. They have two caves, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwanseon_Cave" target="_blank" title="Hwanseongul">Hwanseongul</a> and Daegeumgul. We only had time for one cave, so we opted for Hwanseongul. It sounded the most impressive with its 6.2 kilometers of <em>known</em> passages. So, we bought tickets and hopped on a bus from Samcheok Intercity Bus Terminal, ready to do some cave exploring.</span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave1-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bus from the bus terminal drops you off in a big parking lot, with the bat-shaped ticket booth ahead, which is where you purchase tickets for the cave for ₩4,000. </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to get up to the cave, since it's inside a mountain, you have two options: a short hike or a ride up a little monorail. Since we were looking to conserve energy, we chose the monorail. A roundtrip ticket is ₩5,000, which is what we opted for, but you can also do a one-way for ₩3,000. <em><br /></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave2-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before going up to the monorail platform, stop at the little ticketing booth to purchase your ticket.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Strange little boxy monorail car, with the track ascending in the background.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave4-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">My view from the monorail window as we went up. </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave5-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">The entrance! </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The mountain air was already crisp and cool, but as we approached the cave, we could feel the temperature dropping. We stopped for some pictures and marveled at the map of what we get to explore vs. the sheer size of the entire cave and its tunnels:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave6-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1381768098232" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, this cave is HUGE. </span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave7-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>And in we go.</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Walking inside, we were immediately hit with sounds of rushing water. This cave, as you'll see in my pictures, is very, very wet. It has quite a few small lakes and waterfalls. There's something about the sound of water echoing through gigantic chambers of rock that's just <em>cool</em>. </span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave10-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave11-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photos just don't do it justice.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave13-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tons of really strange looking rock formations.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave14-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Took this leaning over the side of a bridge -- the pit below is of unknown depth. Meaning it's too deep for anyone to be able to tell. Crazy!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave9-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lots of rope lights in this place...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, the entire cave was pretty well lit. They've set up small spotlights on the various features of the cave, along with names and little information signs telling you about how it formed/what it is/etc. It was all very interesting, so if you go, try to make the time to read as you walk through. </span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave15-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1381768870626" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave18-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">More crazy looking rocks.</span></em></div>
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<img alt="hwanseongul samcheok cave" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zcave17-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just incredible.</span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tips for visiting Hwanseongul:</span></strong></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; list-style-type: square; margin: 6px 0px 6px 14px; padding: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get there super early. We caught the 8:20am bus from Samcheok Intercity Bus Terminal, arriving at the cave around 9am, and it was nice and quiet. We were able to wander through at a leisurely pace, not feeling rushed by crowds of people behind us. When we made it back to the bus stop to leave around 11am, floods of people were getting off tour buses. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dress warm! Even in the summertime, the cave stays a cool 12-24°C (53-75°F), so plan to always have at least a light cardigan on you. In the winter it's obviously even colder, with the average being 8-9°C (46-48°F). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wear shoes with a good tread. As you can see in the pictures, the paths through the cave are all metal, including the grates that make up the flooring. Also, the cave is quite wet. While I was wearing decently grippy shoes, I was anxious to watch my footing because it did feel like it could easily be slippery. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of water, beware of drips. If you're coming into the cave with a nice camera, be ready to shield it from dripping water -- it's pretty much everywhere.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your overall travel time to and from the cave will look something like this: 40 minute bus ride from Samcheok Intercity Bus Terminal, about a 15 minute walk up the base of the mountain to reach the monorail station, about 15 minutes on the monorail itself, and about an hour to meander through the cave. If you actually want to hike to and from the cave, budget in about an extra hour or so. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, check out <a href="http://eng.samcheok.go.kr/" target="_blank" title="Samcheok's website">Samcheok's website</a> and <a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264551" target="_blank" title="Korea Tourism Organization's Hwanseongul website">Korea Tourism Organization's Hwanseongul website</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I highly recommend a trip to Hwanseongul. Samcheok is a beautiful area and well worth a weekend getaway, and while you're there, definitely make the time to see this massive cave! </span></div>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-58295725021670324292014-04-27T16:11:00.001+09:002014-04-27T16:42:38.809+09:00Crafty DIYer's Paradise: Dongdaemun Fabric & Craft Market<span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine a warehouse with tiny booths packed so full they look ready to explode. Imagine each booth fill with fabrics and yarn and beads. Imagine narrow little aisles stretching out into an impossible maze. Multiply this by a thousand and put it into one six floor building. Voila, you have Seoul's Dongdaemun Fabric and Craft Market. It's a total sensory overload of colors and textures and people, but for the crafty DIYer, it's basically heaven.</span><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm1-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382972430976" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Living in Korea, I often miss the giant craft superstores from home. I've always been artsy, and the latest DIY trend that's been facilitated by the likes of Pinterest has kept me busy with dreaming up all the amazing things I want to make. Unfortunately, supplies are limited in my area -- if craft stores exist, I have yet to find them. Stationery stores abound, so anything paper-craft related isn't hard to track down. Art supplies are also easy, so I haven't had to go without good paints or drawing pencils. One thing that was notably missing, however, was any form of textiles and jewelry-making stuffs. I like to tell myself each winter that this is the year I'm going to finish knitting that scarf and maybe learn a fancy (beginner) pattern. Honestly, the lack of yarn availability was really harming my grand daydreams <strike>of starting scarves that I never get around to finishing</strike>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enter Dongdaemun's fabric and craft market, with both of these things (and many others) aplenty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not exaggerating when I say <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongdaemun_Market" target="_blank" title="Dongdaemun">Dongdaemun</a>'s Fabric and Craft Market has pretty much anything craft-related that you'd be looking for. Any kind of fabric (including a massive section just for hanboks), endless skeins of yarn, giant carts of ribbons, all the pendants and charms and beads you could possibly want... That's just the beginning. In addition to all of that, you can buy things already made. They sell clothes, little decorative lace collars, leather belts, blankets, dishes, embellished hats and jackets... <i>It's insane.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm3-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">See? I wasn't kidding. They have -everything-.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last time I went on a craft supply run, we arrived around 11am and the place was already bustling with shoppers and supply deliveries. We had to dodge quite a few delivery men as they plowed down the narrow aisles with giant bolts of fabric on their backs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm7-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearly all the stalls are packed full like this.</span></em><br />
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<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm11-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382974047321" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The prices at Dongdaemun are great -- definitely cheaper than what I would expect to pay back home. I needed fuzzy white fleece for my Halloween costume last year, and when I finally found the right fabric, I was happy to hear that a yard (the smallest amount they would give me) was only ₩7,000 (~$6.60 USD). To make it better, the amount given to me was definitely more than a yard.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm6-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382973354206" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Need to replace any buttons? I'm 99% sure you could find any button ever here.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm8-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382973780925" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest draw of Dongdaemun for me, however, is all the jewelry-making supplies. I used to have a fierce obsession with seed beads and even had a small bead loom for making bracelets. As I got older, I was way more into buying chains and charms and stringing things together. Not only am I able to make basically the exact same necklaces as I would find at Forever21 or Urban Outfitters, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent a really, really long time searching through the little trays of charms and beads, carefully picking out ones we wanted. About ₩15,000 (~$14 USD) later, I had everything to make several pairs of earrings and new charms for some chains I already had at home. Not bad! </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm9-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382973778659" style="border: none;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm10-resized-600.JPG" id="img-1382973840193" style="border: none;" />Overwhelming, but awesome.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm13-resized-600.JPG" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />My jewelry supply haul! </span></em></div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
To get to Dongdaemun:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dongdaemun Station, Seoul Metro Lines 1 and 4, exit 9. Walk straight out of exit 9, the entrance will be on your left. See the photos below as a reference: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm2-resized-600.JPG" height="248" id="img-1382974336996" style="border: none; height: 248px; width: 248px;" width="248" /> <img alt="dongdaemun craft fabric market seoul" border="0" class="alignCenter" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/ddm4-resized-600.JPG" height="246" id="img-1382974392858" style="border: none; height: 246px; width: 246px;" width="246" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
Tips and information:</span></h4>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px; list-style-type: square; margin: 6px 0px 6px 14px; padding: 0px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm, though be aware that many shops start to close by 5pm.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring cash, as most vendors prefer that / don't accept cards.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shop around -- a lot of the vendors sell similar products, but some definitely offer lower prices. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The building is divided into four sections, lettered A, B, C, and D, so keep an eye on those are you walk around. (It <em>might</em> also help you not get too lost...)</span></li>
</ul>
zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4422474375262874595.post-59606451317647917722014-04-27T02:56:00.001+09:002014-04-27T02:56:43.227+09:00My Favorite Korean Palace: Gyeongbokgung<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.897216796875px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">The weather is finally getting warmer and in anticipation of the prime sightseeing and out-of-doors season, I've been revisiting pictures from my past springs and summers in Korea. I can't wait to get out and take full advantage of my upcoming weekends -- there are so many festivals coming up! One of my favorite spots that I'm looking forward to revisiting this springtime is the grandest of </span><a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=561397" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">the five palaces</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">So here's a glimpse into this palace's grounds through photos I've taken over the past couple of years...</span></span></div>
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<img alt="gyeongbokgung seoul palace korea" border="0" class="alignCenter" height="400" id="img-1396099001643" src="http://blog.aclipse.net/Portals/74331/images/zgpalace-resized-600.jpg" style="border: none; color: #7c7c7c; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.897216796875px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon_Dynasty" target="_blank">Joseon Dynasty</a>, which began in 1392 and lasted nearly five centuries, is responsible for the construction of the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul: Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgeyonggung, Gyeonghuigung, and of course, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gyeongbokgung</a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">. It's on my Korea Bucket List to visit each of these palaces, but I've only seen two of the five so far because something keeps pulling me back to Gyeongbokgung whenever I get the chance. </span></span><br />
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Gyeongbokgung was first built in 1395 and served as the main palace for the Joseon Dynasty. Its time as the king's primary residence was disrupted, however, by its destruction in the 1590s due to Japanese invasion and war. Beginning in 1868, the palace was restored and expanded, only to take serious hits in the first half of the 20th Century under Japan's occupation.<br />
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Since 1990, the Korean Government has been working on restoring the palace to its former grandeur, with it being approximately half completed at this point.<br />
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So why do I love this palace so much? Well, basically, because it's just gorgeous. The palace grounds are absolutely massive, so with each trip, I find an area I hadn't fully explored the time before. The whole place is just outrageously photogenic and wandering around aimlessly is relaxing and peaceful.<br />
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If you like museums, also be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.gogung.go.kr/fgn/jsp/en/html/index.jsp" target="_blank">National Palace Museum of Korea</a>, which is located right outside the palace walls, and the <a href="http://www.nfm.go.kr/language/english/main.jsp" target="_blank">National Folk Museum of Korea</a>, which is within the palace grounds. (Definitely something to keep in mind if you're visiting the palace during the summer heat!)<br />
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Something else that I love about the palace are the cultural programs and events that it hosts. A couple years ago, some friends and I went to Gyeongbokgung during the Chuseok holiday because we had read about the variety of performances and activities that had been designed for the holiday weekend. We saw traditional dancing, did some arts and crafts, and ate good food. If you're ever in need of somewhere to go for a holiday weekend in Korea, look into what the palaces are hosting!<br />
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Directions and information:<br />
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<li>Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station, Seoul Metro Line 3, Exit 5. </li>
<li>Admission cost: 3,000 won.</li>
<li>Hours: Opens at 9am year-round; closes at 5pm November-February, 6pm March-May/September-October, and 6:30pm June-August. </li>
<li>Closed: Tuesdays.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp" target="_blank">Gyeongbokgung Official website</a>.</li>
<li>For more information about the palace, <a href="http://jikimi.cha.go.kr/english/royal_palaces_new/Gyeongbokgung.jsp?mc=EN_05_01_04" target="_blank">here's an interactive map</a> of the palace grounds from the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and the <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337" target="_blank">informational website</a> from the Korea Tourism Organization.</li>
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zannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05490708263955783939noreply@blogger.com0