Everytime I watch this video that Brian made for my dad's birthday, I can't help but just laugh until I cry. For those of you who haven't checked it out. Please do so on the link below. You'll be sure to giggle and maybe you'll even attempt to Gator like Cajun Man Charlie (my dad).
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
9-3-08 Sage ju Sayo & Antique Shopping
I've been in country for 10 days now ...and have learned a lot. Brian and I are having a lot of fun! The time adjustment was a little rough to start out with...but...I'm on track now seeing that we ate dinner last night at 10 pm. One of the things I've learned is how to ask for a discount....Actually a tailor in AL taught me this before coming here. It sounds like Sage ju sayo. The people just laught at me when I say it.
We finally were able to hit up the Antique Market on Tuesday: Jang anpyeong Antique Market. They have a lot of really nice items over here...it's just trying to find the best price which has been a little tricky.
We found a few pieces. The first is a hand carved wooden piece. We plan to rotate it and hang it in a diamond shape on the wall. Supposedly it comes from North Korea...but I really don't think they were for sure. The other piece is a 100 year old Rice chest that comes from an area just south of Seoul...and of course...I had to get the Chinese water bucket. Brian and I picked up a few of these in Europe..but they are better priced here!
So...in the last week, Brian and I finally got our http://www.packet8.net/ phone set up. Check it out...great rates/plans and your number will never change. I have learned how to navigate myself on the subway, how to buy fruit/veggies from a fruit stand..and ask for 1/2...using hand gestures, how to walk miles and miles just looking at the sites, how to taste various Korean cuisine at a Seoul food festival, how to cheer for the LG Twins at a baseball game, and how to buy/negotiate and have furniture delivered to our house. Whew...I'm tired now!!!
Rice Chest and Carving Piece
We just think this is amazing...all hand carved!
We finally were able to hit up the Antique Market on Tuesday: Jang anpyeong Antique Market. They have a lot of really nice items over here...it's just trying to find the best price which has been a little tricky.
We found a few pieces. The first is a hand carved wooden piece. We plan to rotate it and hang it in a diamond shape on the wall. Supposedly it comes from North Korea...but I really don't think they were for sure. The other piece is a 100 year old Rice chest that comes from an area just south of Seoul...and of course...I had to get the Chinese water bucket. Brian and I picked up a few of these in Europe..but they are better priced here!
So...in the last week, Brian and I finally got our http://www.packet8.net/ phone set up. Check it out...great rates/plans and your number will never change. I have learned how to navigate myself on the subway, how to buy fruit/veggies from a fruit stand..and ask for 1/2...using hand gestures, how to walk miles and miles just looking at the sites, how to taste various Korean cuisine at a Seoul food festival, how to cheer for the LG Twins at a baseball game, and how to buy/negotiate and have furniture delivered to our house. Whew...I'm tired now!!!
Rice Chest and Carving Piece
We just think this is amazing...all hand carved!Thanks Mom, Dad, Lacey, and GMaw for the Early Dirty 30 Birthday $
Chinese Water Bucket
Chinese Water Bucket
9-2-08 Changdeokgung Palace Tour
Changdeokgung Palace is one of Seoul's 5 palaces. We went on an English tour with some of Brian's friends from work. It was built during 1405-1412 (during the ruling of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty) and was the center ruling of power from 1618-1896. It was destroyed by the Japanese during the Imjin Invasion in the 1590's and was reconstructed shortly after under the reign of King Gwanghaegun (1608-1623). We took a walk through the palace area: the Kings room, Queen's room, the Royal Library, the Secret Garden, and the area where the servants lived.
The entrance to the palace through Donhwamun Gate. It is the oldest palace gate of those still remaining in Korea.
Denae & Brian by the doors!
Injeongjeon Hall (National Treasure) belowIt was used for official ceremonies and celebrations.
Brian in front of Injeongjeon Hall
The King's Chair
Juniper Tree is about 750 years old.
Denae in front of Buyongji pond. It was created based on the theory that the heaven is round and the earth is rectangular. The rectangular pond = the earth, while the round island in the middle symbolizes heaven.
The intricately painted buildings
The little gargoyles on the roof symbolize a building of importance. There are 9 of them on each rooftop.
9-1-08 COEX Aquarium & Happy Labor Day
Our friends Sarah, Kevin, and their little girl Evie came down to visit. We met them at the aquarium to take a look at the animals. Check out this shark!
This sea turtle was ginormous!
Pretty Fish!
Dinosaur looking crab
The sparkly Piranhas
A Twin Headed Turtle: This specie does exist!!
8-31-08 Eul chatgo isseoyo Seoul Food Festival and pyo paneun got (Ticket Office)
I'd like to go to the Seoul Food Festival and the Ticket Office!
Goal for the day 8-31-08: Take the Lonely Planet Old & New Downtown walk to explore some of the city's sites, find a Food Festival, tour the Namdeumun Market, attend an LG vs Bears Baseball Game, and wish Logan a Happy 27th birthday!
Bosingak
Brian walking on the piano keys in the arcade area of town!
Great view of the city and Cheonggye Stream--Seoul's $313 million beautification project.
A lot of people were here relaxing and playing in the stream!
And, leave it up to D & B to randomly stumble upon a Seoul Food Festival that was featuring all foods typical to the country. We had tempura battered fried ginseng root. Pretty tasty!
The making of KKUL TARAE --Amazing desserts. See the process in the video at the end of this post.
Mandu anyone? Wonderful delicious dumplings. These were pork and veggie. We also tried one stuffed with kimchi.
The Great South Gate that recently caught on fire. Now under restoration.
Bronze Statue Fountain
Ginseng Root
Namdeamun Market
LG Twins Mascot came up and nearly scared the beer out of Brian's hand! LG Twins vs. the Doosan Bears held 8-31-08 at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Baseball is supposedly Korea's number 1 sport but games are rarely ever sold out.
They do a 6th inning stretch and give away free stuff. The kid on the far right won a brand new Forte automobile. He was so excited...as we were too for him! He held the matching number on his ticket stub.
And...the fans go crazy!
This is genius. This guy has a pony keg in his backpack. Talk about service right at your seat!Baseball snacks: You can buy pajeon (dried squid) and fish along with beer outside the entrance. Dried fish anyone?Check out the clapper blow up sticks. Red for LG Twins and White for the Bears!
LG Twins theme: Christmas in July. Take note of the Cheerleaders dressed in little Santa outfits. There was also a main stage with the crowd "arouser"--They threw water balloons into the stand...pretty neat to watch people get soaked! Glad I wasn't one of them:)
For some reason, I can't get this video to load at the top. These guys were great. They were making a traditional court cake called KKUL TARAE. They did a demonstration for us in English, but this one is filmed in Korean. We had to buy some...this is what is says after they put them in a little box: "KKUL TARAE (honey skein) is a court cake made of ripened honey and malt, which was once presented to the king and valuable guests. It is brewed with the artisan spirit to make 16,000 strands suggesting the prayer for longevity, health, good fortune, and wish-fulfillment. It is not much sweet, not sticky to teeth, but enjoyable with various tastes according to garnishing."
Basically they take a round piece of hard honey. They batter it in corn starch and start stretching and twisting it. They keep doing this until they make 16,000 strands (they are counting in the film). When the stretching is done, it looks like little white troll hair. They then add walnuts, cinnamon, and some other goods and roll them into a little square--DELISH!
THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD VIDEO OF THE MAKING PROCESS IN ENGLISH...WATCH IT IF YOU CAN!!!
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=nZSkJMdzxfM
http://www.oneinchpunch.net/2008/08/27/kkultarae-korean-honey-and-malt-court-cake/
8-30-08 Eul chatgo isseoyo Apgujeong District!
I'm looking for the Apgujeong District! 8-30-08 Brian and I were in exploring phase #1...trying to figure out and identify all the different little areas in Seoul. One that we had read about was Apgujeong--kind of like the Hollywood of California--they even have a Rodeo Drive!
We can't thank you enough Chris & Claire for our Lonely Planet!
View of the walking/biking trail along the Han River. On the left, there is a small church at the top of the hill. We live just south of that area. On the right, you can see the Seoul Tower.There are rarely street signs in Seoul...so navigating makes for an adventure...like our 4 km. walk here.
View of the Dongho Bridge (I think)
The Hyundai Shopping center in Apgujeong. Apgujeong is a pretty glamorous area for high-end shopping, boutiques, great salons, nice restaurants, and hip bars.
Another shopping area. Take note of the fish scale looking building.
Seoul's Rodeo Drive!And yes...the best thing to make a kid tired: Wii Boxing.
Eh...now that's an idea!
Check out all the promotional models too. They are everywhere in the gallerias--always dressed to the maxx in cute little outfits.
Jadongcha or Cha
aka: Car..or Beater Car!
We have faith and trust in The Purple Panda
Poor Panda got side-kicked
Hyundai Element
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