Sunday Happenings

Sunday morning, we woke up early to attend Mass at the Myeong-dong Cathedral. I had visited once before and was inspired by the Korean worship and the building itself. Outside of the church, a beautiful nativity set had been arranged. We took some pictures here and then left to walk around the town. We took a break from the cold and ate some kalguksoo at the restaurant called Myeongdong Gyoza. The soup broth was so flavorful and comforting from the outside chill. Next, we walked around some more. I showed my Mom the Milgiore shopping mall and the Japanese-founded store, UNIQLO, which is very popular in Korea. The specific UNIQLO store in Myeong-dong just opened about a month ago~my Mom wasn't too keen on looking around there because of the loud messages the sales associates were shouting. We left and went to Yonsei to pack up some stuff for my Mom to take home.



Back at the hotel, we relaxed watching some Korean t.v. and then took a necessary nap. It was a good decision! Around 5:30 p.m., we headed back to Sinchon to get some coffee at Cafe Bene. Then my Mom and I met up with some of my friends for samygpsal dinner. It was delicious!~My mom was amazed when we fried the kimchi and at the taste of fried kimchi/cooked pork combination. We had to have a waffle at Casse Croute after dinner. Boy was it good, but a tad bit too cold for the frozen yogurt inside. The waffle was basically frozen itself in a matter of minutes. Lastly, we headed towards the shoppers haven, Dongdaemun. We walked around and shopped with my friends. Then it was midnight and time to head back to the hotel after another long, but full day. I'm really happy that my Mom came to Korea.

As for me now, I'm back at school studying and doing homework for the remaining time here. 16 days.

News Article and Video About Protests in Korea, December 2011
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111204000214
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2011-12-05/south-korean-riot-police-scuffle-with-protesters.html

Time with my Mom

On Saturday, my Mom and I covered so much ground in Seoul! Our day started with my Mom's first adventure on the Seoul Metro from the Hongje station to Sinchon. We really enjoyed staying at the Grand Suites Residence, a sister hotel to the Grand Hilton. We had lots of space to roam and a TV too! In Sinchon, we walked toward the main gate of Yonsei University, but first stopped for a hot drink at Holly's Coffee. We walked through campus and I pointed out the library, student union and new Christmas tree in front of the Underwood statue.

I had to attend a reverse culture-shock workshop that day, so my mom had some time to read in the lobby of the SK House. Then, she met my study abroad program director and her assistant. Next, I showed her my small dormitory and we posted some photos for family at home to see. We had dakgalbi for lunch in Sinchon with my friend, Hyun, and my mom loved it! We continued walking after lunch to Ehwa Women's University and some shopping. This area is one of my favorites in Seoul. We met my friend, Lucy, close to the subway station and headed to Deoksu Palace from there. I had never been to this palace before, but it was beautiful like all the others. It is some comical, however, that such a traditional palace is in such a commercial area (you can see the high rise buildings from the traditional steps). We were lucky to see some of the remaining foliage too.

After coming to Deoksu, our next plan of going to Gyungbokun was hindered by the tumultuous, crowded atmosphere we found ourselves in on the main road where the statue of King Sejong is . There were thousands of policemen in the square because of the protestors. It was amazing. And the weather was freezing. We finally got out of that area and made our way to my favorite place in Seoul~Samcheongdong (or what my mom would later call the "Laguna Beach of Korea"). LOL. DInner there was wonderful. Lastly on Saturday, we went to the Somerset Hotel for dessert. My mom got a cannoli and I indulged in a chocolate-pistachio cake. Heaven. That was our first day. We slept so well and woke up early for a trip to Myeong-dong to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral.