New Years in Seoul - Amazing City, Amazing Company

Approximate Date: December 31, 2010 - January 2, 2011
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Details: Nick and Becky ventured to Seoul for a New Year's celebration with East Coasters, Amanda and Andrew.

The day before leaving for Seoul. Snowy Mokpo fountain.

The building next to our bank has country flags hung across the sidewalk. It was easy to spot this one, but we weren't too sure why it has English written on it.

At the train station at the weeeeeee hours of the morning. With the crazy amount of snow we had, we were ill advised to leave the apartment about two hours prior of our 6am train to Seoul. Our director thought for sure that it would be nearly impossible to catch a cab in the bad weather, so we left at 4am only to walk outside and instantly see three cabs driving by. Needless to say, it was a long day.

Breakfast on the train.

First good view of Seoul as we crossed the Han River.

Snow covered shrubbery near our hotel.

A place called Texas Bar. As much as I enjoyed Seoul, the only drawback was how pricey food and drinks were. At bars in Korea, it is expected that you purchase food, like an appetizer, with your drinks. This isn't such a bad thing when you are hungry like we were - expect that a small plate of nachos or chicken ran around ₩17,000 - ₩20,00. Ouch.

The lights around Boshingak, a historic pavilion in central Seoul, where they had a bell ringing to mark the beginning of the New Year - the year of the Tiger. This was a little less dramatic than we were anticipating. The bell was a large gong that you had to stretch to hear over the millions of people who gathered. As soon as the bell stopped ringing, everyone who pushed their way past us was now quickly pushing their way to get back out. All and all Nick and I enjoyed the experience but the best part was that with all the people gathered so closely, we stayed nice and warn! The video below is a group of traditional dancers prior to the New Year.

I don't think I have ever seen so many policemen in one place before. Luckily we didn't get to see them in action.

Amanda and I holding on tight so we wouldn't loose each other in the crowd.

Nick and I cuddling for warmth.

Amanda and Andrew blending in with the locals.

This is Boshingak pavillion where all the action was taking place. I am not current of my K-Pop stars (don't tell my middle school girls this!) but I guess this is a big Korean hunk. If only I knew who it was, then I would have some serious bragging rights.

'11. Koreans will use most any surface for advertising.

The Texas Bar from above had a troop of carriages. The best part we noticed was that the driver had a button to push that made the sound of a strange, electronic neighing horse... Maybe intended to draw in some clientele? It only accomplished in freaking me out.

This was a dog we stumbled upon living in a scooter dog house that has an empty wine glass perched on top. His name is Il Shami. Please, do not touch.

A nice photo opp at Cheonggyecheon.

Something about the holiday season says 'umbrella' to Koreans. I don't get it.

An interesting bench we stumbled upon walking through the historic Bukchon neighborhood.

We found this great pizzeria called, Pizzette, for lunch on our last day. Cutest little place filled with a great vibe and lots of love. The owners had some amazing photography of their two Golden Retriever's as wall decor.

Oh, pup pups. I miss Bauer :(

Half cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and gorgonzolla) half black olives and pesto. Delicious.  

Changdeokgung Palace.

Changdeokgung Palace.

Nick standing with a sundial at Changdeokgung Palace.

 

Changdeokgung Palace.

An interesting wall we came across walking from Changdeokgung Palace.

More wall art.

We found the American Embassy. As we walked by I saw a McDonald's delivery enter the gates. I had to laugh.

View towards Namsan Mountain.

A wall of Hangul (Korean writing) in the King Sejong underground museum.

These are two traditional tea cups Nick and I treated ourselves to in Seoul. The award winning designer is named Yong Cheol Yu.

Each piece is hand stamped in white clay. This pattern was one of our favorites (within our price range) but much of this man's work was simply amazing.

Becky thought it would be a fantastic idea for me to write this entry. I am not quite sure why she thought that would be a good idea, but it means I can take a break from all of the packing and organizing. Sold. So, rather than entertain you with our packing stories, I think it would be beneficial to enlighten you with stories of Korea.

Many, many years ago, a child was born on a mountain, and defeated a Tyrannosaurus rex in a fight to the death. This child, naturally, was none other than the world famous action star Kim Jong-il! (Please note that I did not photograph our Kim Jong-il - rather, I obtained this via a satellite image, I think). You may know all about our hero's world-class golf skills - according to the World Tribune, our hero shot a 38 under par on his first golf outing, and "routinely shoots three or four holes-in-one per round"! I digress...

Becky and I will be headed to Korea to assist Kim Jong-il in training the Korean troops to become Americans. Through proper disguise and the correct language abilities, the Korean troops will be able to infiltrate any part of the world with ease - and assisting them is our mission. I have also been requisitioned to assist in producing and directing a North Korean edition of Top Gun, which has been given the working title Top Gun-il. Naturally, our hero Kim Jong-il will play the protagonist Maverick, I will play the role of Goose, and Val Kilmer is set to reprise his role as Iceman. Meg Ryan has also committed to make a cameo appearance as Goose's wife.

And then I woke up...

But in all seriousness, most of that is not true. If we were moving to North Korea, I am quite sure all of those events would unfold, including Meg Ryan and Tom Sizemore making cameo appearances in Top Gun-il. Alas, that probably will not happen, because we are moving to a part of South Korea that is quite far south from North Korea. the lucky city? Mokpo, a town of roughly 250,000 people (+ 2).

We will be spending the next twelve months teeching South Korean children too lern goode inglish, or something. Our classes run after school for the children - 3:40pm to 9:40pm. This will give us the opportunity to sleep in a little, explore/run errands during the day and then head to class. Plus, we'll be able to talk to you easier this way - 8pm central is 10am Korean time, so we can wake up, have breakfast and have a chit-chat as you unwind from your long day.

But honestly, the only reason I am going to Mokpo is to visit the Mokpo Natural History Museum (but don't tell that to Becky!)