As it was getting later in the day, we decided to leave the palace. We found a "love motel" (more on that later) and took a quick rest/re-freshen moment. Then it was on to dinner. We were meeting one of Emily's friends. They went to high school together (in Alaska) - but he now studies in Korea. He brought two friends with him, and we all ate at a Japanese noodle place. Here's the wild 'n crazy (not so much) bunch:
We met the guys by a building with a BIG clock.
Seoul at night is bright. Full of lights. Lots of buildings. Some people.
After dinner, we took Emily back so she could rest. (she was still a bit sick) Anna and I ventured out to see what we could see... Walking around Seoul, here is the Red Cat. We just took a picture:
Quick break at a neat coffee shop. Anna had coffee and I had gilato. Yummy!
We were a bit tired from traveling, walking around the palace, etc.
However, we were also all wound up with excitement.
Then it was on to more walking around. Here we found
the "brothers" - which we also have in Gwangju. Weird.
These are all over Korea, but I can never resist the picture when
I'm on a mini trip. I think they mean "by" the way? Ha.
It still seems weird to see so many "western" things around Asia.
Especially when they are "behind" a few decades.
Here we saw a "seventies" place:
As I took that picture of Anna, I saw this guy on the wall.
He seemed to be inviting me to sit by him.
Hmmm. Upon closer inspection, that guy is inviting me into
a cute little wine cafe... Let's take a look inside:
Wait'n on food...
Anna, thrilled with the tasty treats.
CHEESE!!!! REAL CHEESE!!!
Cheese is one of the things I really really
miss about America. (other than my Eric!)
Quite the feast: Pretzels to start with;
then cheese, bread, chocolate truffles, some fruit...
After the late-night snacks, it was time to mosey back towards
the motel. We saw more of Seoul's night life as we returned.
They have a "glitter alley" street, just like at home in Gwangju:
Korea loves glitter and neon.
Why does that sign say, "Oregon Trail"?
Wood work and pumpkins? Interesting.
We went back to the "love motel".
This is what it looked like the next day:
Love motels are interesting. Basically, one has to remember that this is a culture where people basically live with their parents until, and even after, they are married. Even married couples do not move out until they can buy a house - and they don't really use credit. Also, families live in one or two rooms.
So, if you are married - you might be sharing a sleeping room with your mother and father, maybe your grandmother and little brother... and even people dating might just want a little privacy, like to snuggle up and watch a movie together (or other things) -- so they have these motels all over Korea where couples can go for some privacy.
These motels are still on the "up and up." If you look a little, you mostly see legit ones. They are clean and safe, and (with three people just traveling), cheaper than hostiles. When I travel, I chose a love motel. Also, hostiles have communal bathrooms/shower facilities, and I'd like to think that I am past that phase of my life; so love motel it is.
Love motels are great when I travel - because we mainly just want to sleep and get ready for the next day's adventures, so we don't need anything super fancy. However, SOME things are a little "fancy" - which makes love motels even more interesting.
The bathroom here wasn't the best, but it will do:
Hmmm. Where are the robes that are usually there? I don't ever use them, but it seems weird that they aren't there. Maybe these are just hangers to hang up your other clothes? Strange.
Friday's plan was to return to the palace to tour the temple
and maybe a museum, then to grab some food and get back
on the bus to return to Gwangju. We were going to try to go camping
the rest of the weekend, in the opposite direction from home.
After a bit of sleep, it was time to get ready for Friday:
Some of us were having a bit of a slow start...
When is check-out time again?
Girls, really, they are gonna kick us out of the room in a bit.
No, really, up and at 'em! It's vacation. Let's go!
When we finally got outside, we saw this.
It's how they do parking here - pretty neat to see.
We also liked the "foreigner market" in this neighborhood. (not pictured) We has spotted it the night before, but it was closed then. It was NOT organized well and did seem slightly expensive for some things; but it is always nice to see familiar things. Anna and I both opted for Tic Tacs of the orange variety. They are the best! As we walked back to the subway, this street clown on stilts found us.
Hmmm. This makes me miss my Eric even more!
He was tall, on stilts. However, when he saw we were taking pictures, he ducked down.
Yes, my shirt has a picture of Cookie Monster and says, "Grand Canyon".
We don't get it, either - but it is def. Korean. I love it!
The clown gave Emily a balloon flower.
I still think clowns are creepy!
Back to the super clean subway.
We couldn't figure out this ad.
It rained off and on. We got a later start. Emily was still pretty sick. Now Anna, too, was having some health concerns. (HOW is it possible that I am the healthy one here?) We got lunch at Quiznos (because we could!) and took a bit of a rest. The girls decided to find a cozy coffee shop and rest for a few hours. We didn't know if we should be getting on the bus this afternoon or not. (4 hour trip + bathroom needed...)
I was on my own for a few hours - did a bit of window shopping. I also got some gifts (for friends and family for like the next 3 years, ha!) and some cigars for a friend who desperately wanted them. (You can't get them in Gwangju and I wanted him to quit whining.) Mostly, the best part of my shopping adventure was bartering. I have honed in my bartering skills, well, with one exception.
So then I found this guy. He makes name stamps - in Korea, one's official signature is actually a stamp. (usually in red ink) It has your first and last name and is totally accepted as legit. I've been wanting one.
I had him make me one with Hannah in English and in Hongul, so it's not really my "signature" (no last name). I chose the little carved elephant. Now, I know that elephants aren't really native to Korea, but I like them so I don't care. He makes it while you wait. It takes about 10 minutes.
As he worked, he talked with me. He even let me go around the counter and help make it myself! SO fun.
When he was finished, I asked if I could take his picture:
Then, he took the camera. I thought he was going to check
the picture of himself, but instead, he wanted to do this:
When I found the girls chatting at Starbucks, Anna said I paid about 2.5 times more than the signature stamps should cost. Oops. It's okay though. It was still fun, and I really like this one.
The girls were feeling better, but we wanted to stay another day in Seoul! They had devised a "plan" for how to spend Saturday - one of the main things people told me NOT to do when they heard I was moving to South Korea.
We walked around a bit, looking for a public access computer with Internet. We needed to research and arrange Saturday's activity. As we walked, I noticed this sign. Do YOU see what looks a bit off?
I do like the architecture of Seoul.
I think this is a fancy motel.
Ladies, we aren't in Gwangju anymore.
Soon it was time for dinner. We debated a bit, and finally picked a French restaurant. Anna said she was up for it, and Emily could just eat bread. Anna was THRILLED with her dinner, mussels. She got a whole little pot and said they were delicious!
Anna said that being in this restaurant was "just like" being in France. She was amazed and happy!
I was excited for my salad (oddly, difficult to find here in Korea) - complete with potatoes. Yummy!
Of course, THIS is why we really came...
I love vacations! It's when getting desert just seems more acceptable.
Anna and I - we know food. I love to eat! We make amazing food ourselves.
This passes even our tests; and the creme brulee was incredible!
We are tough critics, but we were happy:
Time to put on a smile for the camera.
Emily was a bit of a trooper.
After our delicious dinner, we walked around Seoul a bit.
We were looking for our next love motel.
More lights, more night life:
We saw these statue people:
They light up, too!
Traffic! This looks like part of Gwangju.
Oooo, pretty flowers! I love yellow flowers! They are so cheerful!
The streets were already lined with lanterns.
This is because Tuesday will be Buddah's birthday,
and there will be lantern festivals all over Korea.
We see lanterns above the river by the river walk.
Beautiful. Exciting. Festive.
This is like a down-town area with stores and restaurants.
One of the trash carts. People wheel these around and collect trash.
YES! Pita Pit!!! Really, in Korea? Ha ha.
Suddenly, it feels like home again.
Am I back on Devine Street in Columbia?
We looked down the first alley. It was too bright.
We looked down the second one, a bit darker.
Dimly lit and a bit dreary, yes, this one is perfect!
As we walked in, I "made" Em pose next to the soldier guy.
Yes, she was as thrilled as she looks here:
We sent Anna to check out the room before we paid.
As we waited, I noticed that there was a TV on the water machine. Crazy!
Welcome to Love Motel #2 for this trip.
We had a few things to unload.
This bathroom had a nice tub, but lots of clear glass as the bathroom walls.
It was big though.
This room had a large on-the-wall tv.
It also had two computers, with Internet.
Emily and Anna thought it was so funny to sit and type together:
Often the love motel have "cutsy" things, like heart-shaped hair dryers.
I did like that there was a sink outside the bathroom, as well.
This is just nicer for three girls traveling together.
The wallpaper in Korea is often interesting.
This one didn't even have glitter.
I liked the computer chair and footstool.
Too bad I can't buy it for my house, I need a chair!
After dropping off our stuff (and Emily again), Anna and I left to go to the mini mart for a few items. As we departed from the motel, I convinced Anna to take my picture next to the solider guy, too:
We walked through the open night markets. I liked this flag banner thing.
Anna stopped to smell the flowers. She would.
We walked some more. This Cowboy wanted to take a picture with me:
This building looks interesting. Is it going to rain?
Across from this building were a few people working on this stage.
We thought that they were disassembling it.
Guess we missed some sort of concert or other festivities?
LOTS of lanterns.
One more of the big bell tower.
This was the end of day two, and it was time to get some good sleep before Saturday.
Can you guess what we were gonna do Saturday?
Oops, guess you'll have to wait for the next post. Tee he he.
Wow...what spectacularness! what fun! I love foreign uses of English words on shirts and stores and such; so amusing. :-) Glad you found a few little tastes of home! Is the "off" thing on that one photo the word "Corea"? My friend who lived in Korea for 3 years says that it was originally spelled that way, and the Japanese changed it to the K when they took over because their language doesn't have a character for C. She said that sometimes people still spell it the old way in protest.
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