This could seriously become a non-photo vacation...:S Hopefully in Japan I can upload them...
Note #1: S. Korea is land of the FREE for shopping in beauty shops! They constantly give customers free samples, just for going into the stores and then when you spend money they give you free samples for that too. I bought ONE bottle of nail polish and got a box for 20 cotton make-up pads and some other samples. I only really spent $1.50...
Note #2: For the ladies who love beauty products beware of what you buy, b/c that stuff is freakin' heavy yo! be mindful that you gotta lug that stuff and pass the customs' luggage weight!
EHWA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY
This is the place to shop for clothes, accessories and whatever! How do the university women even focus on classes when there is a shopping paradise here?!!? Got some clothes and earrings. I only brought 4 tops on this trip, so I literally had to buy clothes LOL.
It was actually hot, so I was wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless blouse and I was shopping some random sales lady ran her hand down my arm and said, "ohhh summer!" RANDOM YO! She was just being friendly, but it kind of caught me off guard. Spent a long time at Cottiny buying earrings because they were all nice. (http://www.cottinyshop.co.kr/shop/main/index.php) Also, I got a free pair b/c of my purchases.
LE BUNNY BLEU (http://www.lebunnybleu.co.kr/seoul/)
I fell in love with this store. I've never wanted to buy a whole collection of shoes before but it happened! I literally wanted to say, I'll take them all. The sales ladies were letting me try on everything and I took a pic of the best ones. No, I didn't buy them all... but I did get three. Pics to come when I can find a dang computer that will let me upload them.
IT AIN'T AN ARCADE, BUT I WON!
I was at one of the beauty stores and noticed they had a crane game. You know what that means right? Sam is gonna play that game. I got a free token from the counter and won some random skin treatment sample thingies.
VENDOR FOOD and DBS PIGEONS
Somehow one forgets/ignores a rumbling stomach while in the midst of shopping. I stopped at a food vendor along the side of the main road and got bbq chicken and onion skewers. I dragged my shopping bags to a seating area and while I was eating OH LUCKY ME...the ahjumma (middle-aged lady) beside me decides to throw some bread and all of a sudden the pigeon plague descends!! @___@ While shooing them away I spill bbq sauce on my pants and ended up relocating away from the pigeon ahjumma. Oh well...I'll have to wash these pants...good thing they were black?
AGNES UNNIE
I was able to reach Agnes unnie earlier in the day. My emails were sent back to me, but Helena unnie gave me her number via email. She was really surprised I was there and said she would come meet me tonight. Ahh but she works 1 1/2 hours away, so she ended up coming really late. I felt bad but it was really nice to see her! We ate bbq pork ribs. Really delicious! We laughed about our memories of my other trips like hiking up the mountain for 2 hours looking for a Buddhist temple, on a smoldering day and ran out of water and shade. LOL. If I survived that I can survive anything!
Afterwards, she left and I went back to the guesthouse and arranged some of my luggage. Wanted to take a bath but got too tired.
Hope all of you are doing well! ^__^
Monday, April 29, 2013
ASIA REVISITED part III
Cinderella SAM-urai made it home before midnight! Today was a busy day!
LAST NIGHT'S AFTER EFFECTS
As some of you may have read last night, I got soju sodrunk and woke up this morning at 5am still wearing last night's clothes LOL. I took an advil, changed and went back to sleep. I swear advil prevents my hangovers!
ANNE, APGUJEONG AND CELEBRITY SIGHTING!
Called Anne to confirm arrangements. She asked what I wanted to eat and we decided on dakgalbi! :) I love that stuff! We went to Apgujeong to eat and the food was quite delicious. Will upload photos later. After that, we walked around the area. We ended up at a store and there was a candy/toy dispenser inside. If someone puts 500 won in, it dispenses an egg-like container which can contain discounts of 5,000won, 10,000 won, 20,000 won, 30,000 won, free clothes or free headphones.
I was really interested in trying my luck to win the headphones (w/c I found out later, were unavailable) so I changed some money. Anne thought it would be a waste of money, but I had this feeling...I used a 500 won coin and gave Anne the other one. She won 30,000 won off and I won a FREE SHIRT! Heck yeahhh!
While we were shopping around, I was looking out the store window we were in and I saw a tall Asian dude, dressed with a white shirt, black blazer and black pants. There was something about him, that made me think he was a celebrity and then I knew right away. It was Chansung from 2PM! He was directing his manager's van to a nearby store. I couldn't help my curiosity. We went over to the store just to peek, he left soon after coming out from the back and walked right by us. He seemed in a frustrated mood, so I didn't bother doing anything like taking a photo or trying to talk to him. I'm from Toronto, yo! We don't stalk celebs...we just acknowledge...there's a celebrity...cool...on with life!
Yeah...I tried to break in some shoes I bought the other day...failure..got me a blister and since my feet were sore, I bought a pair of toms to rest my footsies. Good investment!
Thanks Anne for lunch and midday snacks! Hanging out with you is always part of my visits!
REUNION, TAXI AND DRAMARAMA
After I separated from Anne, I went home to shower. It had been a hot day and I couldn't stop sweating...not to mention, I had also worn my shirt backwards the entire day!!..luckily it wasn't obvious. I was planning to meet the oppas at 7:30pm. When I got there, slightly late, Song oppa was there :)
He told me Sean oppa had waited since 7pm and just left a short while ago. OOOPS! I thought we were meeting at 7pm! My bad! Song oppa called him back and he and Jinyoung oppa met me to eat. Song oppa had to work so he couldn't come to eat. He looks so different with his hair a lighter colour, short and straightened.
We took a taxi and the old man driver kept turning around to look back at me and smiling at every stop. He told them in Korean that I was pretty and according to Jinyoung oppa, he said I looked like a good Korean wife...whatever that means @__@ LOL! I told the driver no, that's not true but he disagreed. I tuned him out after that...yipes! Jinyoung oppa was sitting in the front, so the driver kept talking to him and I focused on my catching up with Sean oppa.
We went to a place that has really fresh tasting beer. Can't remember the name at the moment. Beer hits me faster, so I only finished a glass and a half and the oppas drank the rest for me.
I had to use the washroom and there was dramarama in there. Two ladies arguing, the younger one crying and upset. I tried to get around them, but they were both caught up in the drama. Later on, the older lady came out and 4 younger guys were trying to calm her down. On top of that at some point another random lady was fighting/beating a guy in the man's washroom, while another guy tried to pull her out of there. Jesus!! Ladies gotta stop drinking to the point where they get crazy like that!! I offered to get as drunk as them and cause a scene too, but thankfully the oppas declined. kekeke
They decided to make sure I got home before midnight. We communicated in English, Korean and Japanese LOL. When we were leaving I tried to pay, but Sean oppa had his card out quickly and Jinyoung oppa gently pushed/pulled me out of the door and told me Sean was paying. Ahhh this happens every time! They are such nice guys! I really feel taken care of when I hang out with them. They dropped me off at the station. I always look forwarding to meeting with them and glad we could arrange something :) Thanks for a nice time guys! Til we meet again!
Big hug to those who actually read this long entry!
-Sam ^__^
LAST NIGHT'S AFTER EFFECTS
As some of you may have read last night, I got soju sodrunk and woke up this morning at 5am still wearing last night's clothes LOL. I took an advil, changed and went back to sleep. I swear advil prevents my hangovers!
ANNE, APGUJEONG AND CELEBRITY SIGHTING!
Called Anne to confirm arrangements. She asked what I wanted to eat and we decided on dakgalbi! :) I love that stuff! We went to Apgujeong to eat and the food was quite delicious. Will upload photos later. After that, we walked around the area. We ended up at a store and there was a candy/toy dispenser inside. If someone puts 500 won in, it dispenses an egg-like container which can contain discounts of 5,000won, 10,000 won, 20,000 won, 30,000 won, free clothes or free headphones.
I was really interested in trying my luck to win the headphones (w/c I found out later, were unavailable) so I changed some money. Anne thought it would be a waste of money, but I had this feeling...I used a 500 won coin and gave Anne the other one. She won 30,000 won off and I won a FREE SHIRT! Heck yeahhh!
While we were shopping around, I was looking out the store window we were in and I saw a tall Asian dude, dressed with a white shirt, black blazer and black pants. There was something about him, that made me think he was a celebrity and then I knew right away. It was Chansung from 2PM! He was directing his manager's van to a nearby store. I couldn't help my curiosity. We went over to the store just to peek, he left soon after coming out from the back and walked right by us. He seemed in a frustrated mood, so I didn't bother doing anything like taking a photo or trying to talk to him. I'm from Toronto, yo! We don't stalk celebs...we just acknowledge...there's a celebrity...cool...on with life!
Yeah...I tried to break in some shoes I bought the other day...failure..got me a blister and since my feet were sore, I bought a pair of toms to rest my footsies. Good investment!
Thanks Anne for lunch and midday snacks! Hanging out with you is always part of my visits!
REUNION, TAXI AND DRAMARAMA
After I separated from Anne, I went home to shower. It had been a hot day and I couldn't stop sweating...not to mention, I had also worn my shirt backwards the entire day!!..luckily it wasn't obvious. I was planning to meet the oppas at 7:30pm. When I got there, slightly late, Song oppa was there :)
He told me Sean oppa had waited since 7pm and just left a short while ago. OOOPS! I thought we were meeting at 7pm! My bad! Song oppa called him back and he and Jinyoung oppa met me to eat. Song oppa had to work so he couldn't come to eat. He looks so different with his hair a lighter colour, short and straightened.
We took a taxi and the old man driver kept turning around to look back at me and smiling at every stop. He told them in Korean that I was pretty and according to Jinyoung oppa, he said I looked like a good Korean wife...whatever that means @__@ LOL! I told the driver no, that's not true but he disagreed. I tuned him out after that...yipes! Jinyoung oppa was sitting in the front, so the driver kept talking to him and I focused on my catching up with Sean oppa.
We went to a place that has really fresh tasting beer. Can't remember the name at the moment. Beer hits me faster, so I only finished a glass and a half and the oppas drank the rest for me.
I had to use the washroom and there was dramarama in there. Two ladies arguing, the younger one crying and upset. I tried to get around them, but they were both caught up in the drama. Later on, the older lady came out and 4 younger guys were trying to calm her down. On top of that at some point another random lady was fighting/beating a guy in the man's washroom, while another guy tried to pull her out of there. Jesus!! Ladies gotta stop drinking to the point where they get crazy like that!! I offered to get as drunk as them and cause a scene too, but thankfully the oppas declined. kekeke
They decided to make sure I got home before midnight. We communicated in English, Korean and Japanese LOL. When we were leaving I tried to pay, but Sean oppa had his card out quickly and Jinyoung oppa gently pushed/pulled me out of the door and told me Sean was paying. Ahhh this happens every time! They are such nice guys! I really feel taken care of when I hang out with them. They dropped me off at the station. I always look forwarding to meeting with them and glad we could arrange something :) Thanks for a nice time guys! Til we meet again!
Big hug to those who actually read this long entry!
-Sam ^__^
ASIA REVISITED part II
Hey Ya'll,
Hope all is well wherever you are!
FINDING FRIENDS AND EATING POO
So yesterday was "find/contact my friends day." I went to Sunny's store Nanishow in Insadong, but found out she sold the store. She is actually living in Australia now but is coincidentally in Korea right now because she's getting married. Dunno, if I'll be able to meet her but I left her a gift. The new owner is one of her friends and I became friends with an employee there named Sujin. She is supernice and even treated me for breakfast. Bought a bunch of stuff there - actually, I always put aside money specifically for that store!
Ok, you read "eating poo" right? They have a special bread there that is in the shape of cartoon poo. Yup ate some of that! Kehehehe. It was good, but so random yo!!
Next stop was Myeongdong. I had tried to contact Song oppa who owns a music store in the station, but my emails came back. It has been 3 years since I last saw him, so I was unsure if he was still there. Lucky it was!! It was also surrounded by a bajillion fangirls buying stuff. I squeezed inside to see that Jinyoung oppa was there.
I don't know why, but I always think that if I haven't been to Korea in a while my friends my forget who I am. We only ever really keep in touch when I visit...but Jinyoung oppa remembered me even before I had to remind him. The funny thing is, he is so shy to use English and my Korean is limited for long conversations, but ironically we can communicate in Japanese better. LOL. He called Sean oppa, who I confused for Song oppa and we arranged to meet tonight for dinner. Song oppa was working in an office in another location, so I didn't get to see him but I'll see him today.
MYEONGDONG
Not much to say about this other than I blew a hole in my wallet...all the Skin Food products and Etude are killing my suitcase and my wallet! I didn't even shop for clothes yet...oh dear...
I ate at a homemade noodle place. I don't remember the name but I took a photo. There are only 4 things on the menu and there was a line-up before and after I ate there. Plus they kept stuffing me with fresh kimchi. I had the handmade noodle soup with dumplings inside. They also sell a dumpling dish, spicy noodles and another dish.
ROBIN & ELAINE
I had made plans with Robin to meet at 8:30pm and so I met him at Seoul 53 Hotel, of which he is a part owner now. He said he'd give me a discount next I visited :) They literally just opened.
We went out for BBQ and soju of course. We caught up and had tons of fun, but soon the soju hit me like a ton of bricks. Then I was ordering pitchers of Asian martinis (water). LOL. Robin made sure I was okay and kept telling me to drink more water. We met up with his friend Elaine and we ate fried chicken and they had beer while I drank more H20. Robin's hyung also came and hung out with us for a bit. They all walked me home and then took a taxi.
I'm really lucky to have made such good friends here.
Now I gotta go, so have a nice day everyone.
-Sam ^__^
p.s. sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes. don't have time to doublecheck!
Hope all is well wherever you are!
FINDING FRIENDS AND EATING POO
So yesterday was "find/contact my friends day." I went to Sunny's store Nanishow in Insadong, but found out she sold the store. She is actually living in Australia now but is coincidentally in Korea right now because she's getting married. Dunno, if I'll be able to meet her but I left her a gift. The new owner is one of her friends and I became friends with an employee there named Sujin. She is supernice and even treated me for breakfast. Bought a bunch of stuff there - actually, I always put aside money specifically for that store!
Ok, you read "eating poo" right? They have a special bread there that is in the shape of cartoon poo. Yup ate some of that! Kehehehe. It was good, but so random yo!!
Next stop was Myeongdong. I had tried to contact Song oppa who owns a music store in the station, but my emails came back. It has been 3 years since I last saw him, so I was unsure if he was still there. Lucky it was!! It was also surrounded by a bajillion fangirls buying stuff. I squeezed inside to see that Jinyoung oppa was there.
I don't know why, but I always think that if I haven't been to Korea in a while my friends my forget who I am. We only ever really keep in touch when I visit...but Jinyoung oppa remembered me even before I had to remind him. The funny thing is, he is so shy to use English and my Korean is limited for long conversations, but ironically we can communicate in Japanese better. LOL. He called Sean oppa, who I confused for Song oppa and we arranged to meet tonight for dinner. Song oppa was working in an office in another location, so I didn't get to see him but I'll see him today.
MYEONGDONG
Not much to say about this other than I blew a hole in my wallet...all the Skin Food products and Etude are killing my suitcase and my wallet! I didn't even shop for clothes yet...oh dear...
I ate at a homemade noodle place. I don't remember the name but I took a photo. There are only 4 things on the menu and there was a line-up before and after I ate there. Plus they kept stuffing me with fresh kimchi. I had the handmade noodle soup with dumplings inside. They also sell a dumpling dish, spicy noodles and another dish.
ROBIN & ELAINE
I had made plans with Robin to meet at 8:30pm and so I met him at Seoul 53 Hotel, of which he is a part owner now. He said he'd give me a discount next I visited :) They literally just opened.
We went out for BBQ and soju of course. We caught up and had tons of fun, but soon the soju hit me like a ton of bricks. Then I was ordering pitchers of Asian martinis (water). LOL. Robin made sure I was okay and kept telling me to drink more water. We met up with his friend Elaine and we ate fried chicken and they had beer while I drank more H20. Robin's hyung also came and hung out with us for a bit. They all walked me home and then took a taxi.
I'm really lucky to have made such good friends here.
Now I gotta go, so have a nice day everyone.
-Sam ^__^
p.s. sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes. don't have time to doublecheck!
ASIA REVISITED part I
Good Morning from Seoul!
Whaaaa?! Yes, I'm in Seoul right now! I'll be here until May 1st and then heading to the Kansai area of Japan and a few other places. Get ready to be spammed...if you don't wanna get the various emails, let me know.
Anyway the reasons for this trip are:
1. Happy 30th to myself 2. Fulfilling a lifelong dream: Visiting Sadako's statue in Hiroshima and leaving paper cranes there 3. Live life to the fullest 4. As I told customs.."Freak my parents out"...lol...they worry about the S. Korea part, but it's all good 5. Stick to my motto of LIVE. LOVE. TAKE RISKS. REGRET NOTHING.
So yes, the airport stories consist of almost leaving my knapsack in Narita b/c I was charging my phone and a dude stood in front of it covering it...realized when I was in line to board that my shoulders were unnaturally feeling light. LOL!
I did a good deed and switched seats with an elderly Japanese couple who wanted to sit together. I think they were surprised that I spoke back to them in Japanese and they were grateful...and so cute! So, I ended up sitting in the middle of two dudes. One was really nice, but no friends..no husband yet! kekeke Tried to watch some films...saw the Oz one...Major League...love that one! Watched The Impossible and cried a ton...good thing the lights were out. My limobus to the guesthouse wasn't such a simple trip b/c my driver missed my stop, so I had a 40 min detour, but I got there eventually. Ahhh nothing more exciting than being exhausted and navigating at night on the streets of Seoul.
Guest house ended up giving me a bunk bed room with my own washroom and tub to myself! Shweeet!
Managed to contact my friend Robin last night, who just recently opened a guest house 1 min away from me. We are scheduled to drink it up tonight...oh dear! Ended my night talking briefly to my-chan and then having a tall can of Hite beer with some food and chips.
Now it's 8:50am and I will be heading out to shop my butt off and try to locate some of my other buddies.
Off I go, update ya'll later!
-Sam ^___^
Whaaaa?! Yes, I'm in Seoul right now! I'll be here until May 1st and then heading to the Kansai area of Japan and a few other places. Get ready to be spammed...if you don't wanna get the various emails, let me know.
Anyway the reasons for this trip are:
1. Happy 30th to myself 2. Fulfilling a lifelong dream: Visiting Sadako's statue in Hiroshima and leaving paper cranes there 3. Live life to the fullest 4. As I told customs.."Freak my parents out"...lol...they worry about the S. Korea part, but it's all good 5. Stick to my motto of LIVE. LOVE. TAKE RISKS. REGRET NOTHING.
So yes, the airport stories consist of almost leaving my knapsack in Narita b/c I was charging my phone and a dude stood in front of it covering it...realized when I was in line to board that my shoulders were unnaturally feeling light. LOL!
I did a good deed and switched seats with an elderly Japanese couple who wanted to sit together. I think they were surprised that I spoke back to them in Japanese and they were grateful...and so cute! So, I ended up sitting in the middle of two dudes. One was really nice, but no friends..no husband yet! kekeke Tried to watch some films...saw the Oz one...Major League...love that one! Watched The Impossible and cried a ton...good thing the lights were out. My limobus to the guesthouse wasn't such a simple trip b/c my driver missed my stop, so I had a 40 min detour, but I got there eventually. Ahhh nothing more exciting than being exhausted and navigating at night on the streets of Seoul.
Guest house ended up giving me a bunk bed room with my own washroom and tub to myself! Shweeet!
Managed to contact my friend Robin last night, who just recently opened a guest house 1 min away from me. We are scheduled to drink it up tonight...oh dear! Ended my night talking briefly to my-chan and then having a tall can of Hite beer with some food and chips.
Now it's 8:50am and I will be heading out to shop my butt off and try to locate some of my other buddies.
Off I go, update ya'll later!
-Sam ^___^
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