2015년 08월 01일
Saturday was probably my last truly exciting day in Korea. After Saturday, I rested a lot (because I wasn't feeling well) and now I have to study for my final exam, sadly...
Anyways, I went to several places with some friends (i.e. dragged them along) on Saturday. First, we went to 여의도공원 (Yeouido Park) to look at the beautiful scenery and take a "nature break" from the city. It was absolutely gorgeous and just the reprieve I needed. But, it was terribly hot that day, as well... So we had to take frequent breaks in the shade due to the large circumference of the park.
After absorbing as much nature as we could, we took the subway to Insadong and ate a wonderful lunch. Shortly afterwards, we trekked the streets of Insadong in an attempt to buy souvenirs for friends and family members. Although Emily and I lost JR and Billy (not our fault -- they walked too far ahead of us), we had a wonderful time shopping for "touristy" goods. Once we had far too much to carry, we planned on heading back to the dormitories...
However, two of our friends happened to be on their way to the Insadong area to visit the 북촌한옥마을 (Bukchon Hanok Village)! Ultimately, Emily and I decided to brave out the heat (and our heavy bags) to meet up with some other friends and tour the village. Although the heat was unbearable, we found a small cafe where we could relax for an hour or so and eventually made our way back to the subway. Our next goal was to get back to the dormitories and take a nap (which, of course, we succeeded in)!
After a brief nap and dinner in the cafeteria, someone proposed street food in Myeongdong. How could I turn that down? I still hadn't gotten any street food in Korea (I just wasn't feeling it at the time), so tonight was the opportunity! Although I didn't get anything savory or spicy (as street food often is), I did get some fresh 호떡 (hotteok, a "pancake-like" food filled with honey, brown sugar, and some chopped peanuts). I'd only ever had pacakged hotteok from H-Mart or Lotte before, so this fresh hotteok was a delicious treat!!! I also bought some fresh-squeezed orange juice later that night in an attempt to help my throat (at this point, I was still sick).
In Myeongdong, I also accomplished another goal: buying the t-shirt I'd been eyeing since I'd gotten here! I absolutely love this shirt as it combines Hangeul with English lettering and I feel that it's very unique (even though they are sold at many kiosks in Myeongdong). Nevertheless, I can't wait to wear it!
I also got some flower ice cream in Myeongsong, which was another thing I could finally cross off of my bucket list.
Although I was exhausted from the heat and my cold, it was a wonderful day and I feel like I accomplished so much in such a short period of time!
Saturday was probably my last truly exciting day in Korea. After Saturday, I rested a lot (because I wasn't feeling well) and now I have to study for my final exam, sadly...
Anyways, I went to several places with some friends (i.e. dragged them along) on Saturday. First, we went to 여의도공원 (Yeouido Park) to look at the beautiful scenery and take a "nature break" from the city. It was absolutely gorgeous and just the reprieve I needed. But, it was terribly hot that day, as well... So we had to take frequent breaks in the shade due to the large circumference of the park.
After absorbing as much nature as we could, we took the subway to Insadong and ate a wonderful lunch. Shortly afterwards, we trekked the streets of Insadong in an attempt to buy souvenirs for friends and family members. Although Emily and I lost JR and Billy (not our fault -- they walked too far ahead of us), we had a wonderful time shopping for "touristy" goods. Once we had far too much to carry, we planned on heading back to the dormitories...
However, two of our friends happened to be on their way to the Insadong area to visit the 북촌한옥마을 (Bukchon Hanok Village)! Ultimately, Emily and I decided to brave out the heat (and our heavy bags) to meet up with some other friends and tour the village. Although the heat was unbearable, we found a small cafe where we could relax for an hour or so and eventually made our way back to the subway. Our next goal was to get back to the dormitories and take a nap (which, of course, we succeeded in)!
After a brief nap and dinner in the cafeteria, someone proposed street food in Myeongdong. How could I turn that down? I still hadn't gotten any street food in Korea (I just wasn't feeling it at the time), so tonight was the opportunity! Although I didn't get anything savory or spicy (as street food often is), I did get some fresh 호떡 (hotteok, a "pancake-like" food filled with honey, brown sugar, and some chopped peanuts). I'd only ever had pacakged hotteok from H-Mart or Lotte before, so this fresh hotteok was a delicious treat!!! I also bought some fresh-squeezed orange juice later that night in an attempt to help my throat (at this point, I was still sick).
In Myeongdong, I also accomplished another goal: buying the t-shirt I'd been eyeing since I'd gotten here! I absolutely love this shirt as it combines Hangeul with English lettering and I feel that it's very unique (even though they are sold at many kiosks in Myeongdong). Nevertheless, I can't wait to wear it!
I also got some flower ice cream in Myeongsong, which was another thing I could finally cross off of my bucket list.
Although I was exhausted from the heat and my cold, it was a wonderful day and I feel like I accomplished so much in such a short period of time!