Olympic Park Day

Olympic Park Peace Gate: Doing obligatory peace sign :) 

A couple weeks ago, Nicholas, David, Aksana and I went to Olympic Park to have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful weather. Seoul is full of amazing parks and this was just another example of one. This one reminded Nicholas and I a bit of Central Park.

It was built for the '88 Olympic Games and sits on an enormous amount of land. There were ponds, lakes, walkways, large areas of grassy space, pools, tennis courts, and the list goes on and on.

That weekend, the Jazz Fest was taking place, so we got a chance to catch some tunes from a distance.

We know some people here who complain that there are no green spaces in Seoul, but each week we are discovering a new park, mountain or large garden. This city has it all if you just look!

Korean Improving

So much so, that I confidently tossed my taxi cheat cards away! I am now able to direct my cabs without my guidebooks and cards :) Last week, I even had a conversation with my cabbie. This place is starting to feel like home!

Turkish Delights

When Nicholas got back from his business trip, he unloaded his goodies that he brought back! It reminded me of when my dad would come home from business trips and often bring something home for us :)

This time, Nicholas brought back the items requested: spices from Turkey and wine from Germany :) He also brought back a delicious assortment of Turkish sweets, teas and a pepper grinder!! 

We have been looking all over Seoul for a grinder and the only ones we could find were at the expensive department stores, selling for close to, or over, $100. Now, we have a gorgeous copper one from Turkey that Nicholas received as a gift from the spice shopkeeper after he bought his spices. No more putting my peppercorn into plastic baggies and pounding them with a heavy object to get my fresh ground spice :) So, of course, I loved the gifted pepper grinder more than anything else that Nicholas brought back!

Hongdae Area

A couple weeks ago, I met with two partners, who had the day off from their advertising firm, and we spent the day discovering Hongdae. This is the area surrounding Hongik University. It is known for the art scene.

We had a great day started off with a lunch at a hidden sandwich shop that made their own bread. This cafe was in a back alley/small street behind buildings and looked to be an old garage. Seoul has so many hidden gems!

We wandered the streets, did some window shopping, had a drink, then dinner before we called it a night. It was such a blast and a continual reminder that there is so much to see in this city and so many people to meet!

Spicy Saturday Brunch

Saturday, I met up with a couple of friends for what was promised to be a spicy brunch. We met in my favorite area of town, Garosu-gil (which means "tree-lined street") and ate at a spicy chicken restaurant. This is one of my favorite Korean meals, so I was definitely looking forward to it! Sojean, the local, introduced me to this really yummy rice ball side dish. It is rice with fish eggs and then rolled in shredded seaweed. Typing that out, I realize it might not sound appealing, but it was addicting! YUM. (pictured on the right side of the table)

Afterwards, we went to a funky cafe to have some Korean 팥빙수 (patbingsoo), or shaved ice topped with sweetened beans, rice cakes and milk. It sounds so strange, but it is beautiful and delicious! They make other varieties now, with strawberries or green tea and even add a scoop of ice cream on it! We had the traditional one and I can guarantee I will get my fill this summer :) We also tried a couple of their smoothies that had interesting combinations, menu below. We got the lemon, radish, persimmon and the banana, radish, peanut. Surprisingly, they were delicious as well. Have I mentioned that Koreans know how to eat?!

Where in the World is my Husband?

Everyday or so, someone asks where Nicholas is and I have to think about his schedule to get the right answer. Middle East, Europe... Thankfully, he is on the last leg of his trip and will be coming back to Asia on Friday! Earn those miles, baby!

Sunday bike ride

Last Sunday, we went on a long bike ride with a couple of our favorites, David and Aksana and their wonderful friends. We rented tandem bikes (!!) and rode along the Han River. It was a gorgeous day for a bike ride, albeit a bit crowded and chaotic. When the weather is that nice, there are bound to be tons of people out enjoying it and there sure were!

We found a nice hidden place near the river to have a picnic before we made our roundtrip back to return our tandems.

We had such a great time. Nicholas and I, of course, are overly competitive with ourselves and pedaled our butts off. Up and down hills on a heavy tandem bike was no joke. But we laughed and had a ball. I highly recommend it! For me, it was way better than just going for a regular bike ride together. We were able to really talk and work together to get where we were going. I can't wait for him to get back to do it again :)