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.