South Korea is the new Japan (con't)

December 31th:

Woke up hot from the heat of the bathhouse. The sleeping room was like a sauna. Spent the day on a tour bus to see the famous sites of this tourist town.

Korean pyramids from the Silla period:

Oldest observatory in Asia:
Seokguram Grotto with famous Buddha (a truly impressive sight):

After the grand tour, Juliana and I met up with Juiliana's friend's friends and went to a sushi buffet. I had been sour because of the cold but warmed quite well in the restaurant and ate everyone under the table. Afterward, Juliana and I had to go to the restroom but only the men's was available to we fought over who got the toliet and who was stuck with the urinal. Dinner was followed by donuts and then we headed over to another Korean bathhouse, this one quite nicer. We managed to snag coves in which to sleep which gave us more privacy than the last place where were were stuck in a room full of women on the floor.

I saw a teenage boy walking by with a towel on his head wrapped in a fashionable manner and was determined to copy it. After pathetic attempts, the Korean man we were with (the friend's friend) hailed the boy over to show me. Afterward I proudly made hats for the three of us. As I did so, a Korean girl was watching with interest. I hailed her over and with gestures communicated that I was going to make her a hat as well. She was adorable.

If that wasn't enough, a mother and her two/three year old daughter came over and she asked the Korean man if I wouldn't make her baby girl a hat too? Of course I complied, showing off my newly-aquired skill: the Ram hat. I promptly fell asleep as the New Year rang in.

January 1st:

The gang. Doesn't Juliana look cozy?

I woke up in the tunnel and drank freshly-squeezed kiwi juice. We met up with the other friend's friend and the friend herself (finally!). We had a traditional Korean brunch and headed off for a day of crafts. We made traditional paper and pottery crafts. We also went and carved a tea set. Then came gift shopping and we received delicious bread as a parting gift. Juliana and I quarrel in the car and end up not speaking for the rest of the night. The trip was over and I was tired of the same face every waking moment.

January 2nd:Us at Incheon International Airport, voted best in the world. We seem to have made up.

South Korea is the new Japan

December 26th:

Took a bus to Matsuyama (2 hours) then another to the airport. It was Juliana's 4th flight in life and she can't handle take offs. I was stuck in the middle seat. It was funny because we were in the emergency exit row and we couldn't read how to save the plane in case of disaster. We land at Incheon airport, #1 rated in the world, and take a bus to our all-female hostel in Seoul (the capital). We get into a small fight and Juliana later tells me just how "Puerto Rican" I am when I'm angry. We went out with another ALT who happened to be in S. Korea as well. We retreat back to the hostel early and Juliana hits her head on the ceiling 3 times because we'er both stuck on the top bunk.

December 27th:

Wake up to a warm room and heated floors. Korean technology is amazing. At 10am we met up with our tour guide Kim Tae Woo, the brother of her friend from college. He showed up with his girlfriend, Kim Eun Mi. She was adorable. We went to Itaewon Market (famous foreign market), Seoul Tower, and a traditional Korean market. Lunch was traditional Korea food with free kimchi. Highlight: on one of my subway rides, a Korean woman sat down and tried to teach me about Jesus.



December 28th:

10am we only met with Kim Eun Mi. Apparently the boyfriend was sleeping in. We headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace. We were able dress in traditional Korean clothing:

Then the National Palace Museum of Korea. There we met Kim Tae Woo. Deoksugung Palace:


Art Museum. Lunch was a horrifying experience of octopus chopped up in front of us. COEX - largest mall in South Korea. There I bought my first CHANEL lipstick! We walked around that night and ate kimchi for dinner at a stall. Met some old disney friends...


December 29th:

Wake up and realize that it sucks to room with all women with one bathroom. The woman took a shower until 5 girls had to use the toilet. Went to visit the April 19th Memorial. Myeongdong shopping district. Bought me some snazzy sunglasses and shoes from Converse. I told the clerk size 7. He brought me size 5. I was like, "I wanted a 7." He replied that a 7 for women equals a 5 in Converse shoes. I shook my head and told him I was a size 9 in women's. The look on his face... it plummeted right to my feet.

December 30th:

Went to the DMZ. Demilitarized Zone. The border between North and South Korea. Very dangerous. No photographs in certain places and South Koreans cannot visit the DMZ without 6 month notice. Quirky English translator with surprisingly good English. Saw Freedom Brige and Peace Bell. Walked through part of the 3rd Tunnel . The afternoon was spent on a 5 HOUR busride to Gyeongju. Met up with Juliana's Korean friend's friends. Had a late dinner and spent the night in a Korean Bathhouse.


to be continued...