No, no thank YOU Nature!

Thanks Nature Cafe in Hongdae is just one of many many little cafe shops around Seoul. We were trying to look for a small little “hole in the wall” but in the end settled (or more so Jessica’s stomach..) on this coffee and waffle specialty cafe on the main road leading to Hong-ik University. While service was a bit on the slow side (one waffle maker?!?!?) and Kalia could always go for more syrup, one thing was certain: the waffles are soooo very very good.

Kalia's simple waffle ala mode

My salad and waffle. Yes, that's chocolate sryup around it..

Jess' espresso waffle dinner

I should explore and compile a list of the best waffle cafes in Seoul. Oh why America are you not on Korea’s waffle-loving bandwagon??

In the Flower Garden 꽃밭에서 Art Exhibit~

“In the Flower Garden”: 63 Sky Art, the world’s highest art museum, is displaying about 50 flower-themed paintings, interactive installations and actual flower works by 40 Korean and foreign artists like Kim Whanki and Andy Warhol. The exhibition is divided into four parts. While the first division, “Beauty Garden,” shows relatively ordinary flower paintings, the second and third, “Fantastic Garden” and “Re-creation Garden,” exhibit abstract and reinterpreted paintings, plus installations featuring flowers. The final part, “Play Garden” is the most unique with many interactive installations that react to the viewers’ voices and movements and make beautiful images. The exhibition runs through Nov. 15 at 63 Sky Art in Yeouido, southwestern Seoul. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 11,000 won for adolescents and 10,000 won for children. For details, call (02) 789-5663 or visit www.63.co.kr

Sorry for the poor quality of pictures, but I wasn’t completely sure whether or not I was allowed to take photos of the art work. I did, however, find a few pictures to my liking, two of which I knew for sure I wasn’t supposed to take pictures of.. none the less, Roberto Britto:

The rest are an assortment of a few favorites, but if you have the time and are in the area, I would definitely suggest taking a day trip to 63 Building and having a look around. For 28,000원 you can go to the aquarium, art gallery, and view a showing at the IMAX! Not too bad~

**A few suggestions: Stop at Yeouinaru, not Yeouido via Line 1 on the subway. Exit 3 has a few buses that take you straight there (362, 261).

63 Aquarium 요의나루, 서울~

So rainy Korea.. what’s there worth doing on a rainy Saturday afternoon?

Rather than waste the last of my few weekends left in Korea, I spent the day traveling to Korea’s ever famous 63 Building in Yeouinaru. It can be a little troublesome to travel in Seoul rain, but we made it to the building without getting too soaked. The 육삼빌딩 itself is the 3rd largest building in Korea and is well known as a sky scraper overlooking Han River. As there was no way we could enjoy the beautiful view (all thanks to a our friendly rain clouds and thick fog), we spent a few hours roaming the indoor “Seaworld” aquarium, and taking the trip up to the art gallery on the top floor. This first set is just a few pictures of the aquarium.

Just a cute family moment taking pictures inside open fish tank tube thing

Apparently their 15:00 Children's fish show includes fairies who sing and tell stories.. hm.. interesting concept

I’m actually a huge fan of aquariums (as my friends should know). I’ll be traveling to Busan in a few weeks and heard the aquarium is just huge. Anyone know about this place?

감사합니다~

Quick Feet, Jazz Beat (*more Akaraka)

As mentioned, Akaraka is a huge event filled with various games, foods, and performances. Two of these events included a boxing match between Yonsei’s boxing club and Korea’s military school, and the other performances from Yonsei’s jazz dance group, Jazz Beat. See, Koreans do do more than just study all day in the library (then again, I wouldn’t have been surprised to find the library full during any given hour of today…)

My friend Marvin kicked ass today..unfortunately I wasn’t there to witness it (I know, bad friend, did see a video!). The boxing ring was right outside the Central Library for all to watch. I heard Marvin’s was one of the better matches. Pretty sweet considering they went again military school trained boys…and like Marvin said, their stamina is no joke.

Marvin sizing down the competition..after he’s already gone up

Next was Michele’s performance with Jazz Beat, including a number to Candy Man and Mambo #5 (yes, yes.. my thoughts exactly…). I saw dance performances throughout the day, and I have to say her performance was quite good. Ah, I’m so proud to have such talented friends..

Michele workin’ it Christina Aguilera style

And finally, just for kicks, the token Korean boy band look (too bad they were no Shinhwa..)

*제사진을 좀 봐주셔서 고맙습니다!

Falling Love with Yonsei Akaraka!! + Park Jin-hee!!

It’s that time of the year, Yonseians! This Friday marks Yonsei University’s annual Akaraka pep rally, an all-day event that includes cheering, dancing, and singing to an assortment of Korean and Engrish music. It’s similar to 영고전, the end of year sports rally with our rival school Koryo University, just without the sports…or Koryo. Spring is actually the beginning of the academic year for Korean students so I guess you can call this the official kick-off to school event.

So you may or may not know, but Korean students love to cheer. And I really mean that. Akaraka is a huge thing here, filled with week-long events of drinking, gathering, playing games, and even more drinking. Today I spent the day around campus where there were performances taking place all around, food vendors, and several ajummas and ajusshis getting there drink on. Let’s call it a preview for what’s to come Friday.

Yoo-won and Brian reenacting the Korean War

This was cute. Ever play those arcade games where the alligator or groundhog popped out of the hole and you had to hit it with a hammer? Yeah, think that but with cute Korean boys.

너무 싸지?

Oh, and this was my favorite performance of the day, 사물놀이 (Samul-nori, “sa-mul” for four instruments). I love traditional music and dance and this was just entertaining. I want to learn to play the 장구 so bad!

It's Shu!! : )

And finally, guess who we found selling pastries and other goodies at one of the booths? Famous Korean actress, Park Jin-hee of Love in Magic and Since We Met! She’s so pretty in person and super thin too! I felt so Korean being so star-struck, and my friend Jin-suk was willing to buy bread just to get a picture.

박진희

Oh dear, what am I going to do with myself when Super Junior comes to Yonsei Friday…

Rain in Seoul, Cakes in Paris

It seems we’ve caught a bit of Japan’s raindrops, thanks a lot Allison, haha..

Thanks to the rain, our Korean class postponed our after-midterm day trip to Lotte World amusement park. No matter since I would much prefer an extra day in to enjoy the spring showers and catch up on some homework and reading. 내일도 비가 올텐데 우산을 꼭 갖다가 오세요!

My borrowed umbrella is falling apart (Thanks Park!!)

Nothing like a rain shower to get you craving something sweet to pair with a warm cup of tea. This is from the Sangam-dong Paris Baguette, a french-style bakery franchise made popular by all those 김태희 commercials. God, I have to stop going here..

Kalia's favorite

Nikko's favorite : )

She Moves She

*Four Tet song

Boom boom boom goes 한강 난지지구

Tonight we headed to 한강 난지지구 Han River Park where Hi Seoul hosted the 3rd Annual Seoul World DJ Festival. To be honest, it was a great concept and the fact that Koreans were actually dancing was a phenomena given my experience clubbing in Hong-dae (basically, doing more than just standing there awkwardly). But since neither Kalia, the boys, or myself knew what to expect, I was expecting less techno/house music/Oriental Funkster music and more..well, you know…소녀시대/Super Junior/보아-wannabes. It really wasn’t much my scene, and definitely not Kalia’s at the least. I guess it was just too crazy for the sober American girls, ha ha. I saw Hongdae students (eclectic/artsy/music-loving wild childs, I love it) dressed in costumes and comic characters and partying the night away. And all the foreigners seemed to be having a blast running around the booths, drinks in hand testing their Korean. There were three different stages, promoters, drinking flowing, the works. For the country’s largest dancing event of the year, it seems worth the mention for ravers.

So there, it was okay. And yes, sorta cool. Just next time, you need to warn the girl wearing slippers and carrying a shopping bag of all the crazy, sweaty, rowdy jumping Koreans before you throw her into the mash pit.. that’s all I’m going to say..

I see Sailor Mercury... (sorry for the drunk Korean boy blocking the rest of the gang)

The Transformers booth

Yes, a grown man in a cow costume. I wish I got the lion and crocodile..

Ha ha, did I forget to mention how close the park is to our apartment? We actually passed DMC on the way the festival! That explains why I can still hear the vague boom boom boom…

I love my roommates

I was feeling sick the other day and decided to take a day in to heal my throat. When I woke up sometime later that afternoon, I found this:

Just one more to add to the hundred reasons why I love them..

Nikko Goes to America

..and gorged herself on Tex Mex. Oh man

I am dying here you guys. I just returned with Becky, Michele, and Yoo-won from the military base near Itaewon where we spent 3 hours at an all-you-can-eat American/Mexican fusion restaurant. And of course, as we are talking about American cuisine here, it’s the works: tacos, pulled pork, salads, cakes, ice cream. I don’t think I can ever put myself through all of that eating again, but it was definitely worth the trip.

To be honest, being on base made me slightly homesick for the first time in a while. My dad was in the Navy for 20 years and I loved going on base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In fact, the base in Korea itself looked a lot like Pearl Harbor. And I just liked the atmosphere. We only made it to dinner, but I’m hoping for another chance to explore again soon.

Looks like the NEX

I can't believe I fit this all in me..

..oh yeah, and this, ugh

Becky feeling disgusted with herself

I had no part in the consumption of this dessert, but doesn't it look ridiculously good??

Round 4 for Yoo-won

And this is on the way home. Once again, adorable…