Category Archives: Shmying

Meal Top Patbingsu

Patbingsu and Pocari Sweat

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Having arrived in the RoK in summertime, there were adverts all over the place for patbingsu, which according to Wikipedia is a popular dessert comprised of ice shavings and sweetened azuki beans (known as pat).

In our research (well my research – I’ve had some time on my hands), we discovered that according to CNN, the best patbingsu was at Meal Top in the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong.

Investigation ensued.

Coffee Patbingsu @ Meal Top

Coffee Patbingsu @ Meal Top

And compared to the one at another place, it was delicious.

Patbingsu @ Meal Top - DONE!

Patbingsu @ Meal Top – DONE!

We had a terrific rest of the day including this Pocari Sweat moment:

Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat

We did catch up with Pat & Nicole for a shmy around Dapsimni, finding a very cool hanbok and some bbq.

But the highlight of the day was not my milkshake at Butterfingers, but it had to be Jenn’s excitement at finding Rooney’s new outfit on the streets of Gangnam:

Rooney new Paul Frank outfit.

Rooney new Paul Frank outfit.

And then it was time to head back.

Catchin' the bus, headin' home.

Catchin’ the bus, headin’ home.

I may have an exciting announcement about my work situation shortly.

 

 

The Sky Garden on the roof of the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong.

Another few days, another few pics

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Over the past couple of days I’ve managed to walk around southern Suji, switched up some late afternoon Jukjeon plans to go to Jeongja to meet the recently-arrived boyfriend of one of Jenn’s colleagues Thursday, and Friday, went into Seoul to see the Hyundai Department Store’s Sky Garden (lovely review from Seoulsome), and then hang with my friend Nicole.

One thing of note: the illy Art Collection espresso cups.  These Kentridges are my favorite of all the cups they’ve produced in collaboration with various artists over the years.  They’re magic.  And Kentridge is a genius.  I own my second favorite, the Anish Kapoor cups from 2011.  They were a last minute gift to myself on my way out of Cayman.

My old Francis Francis X7 behind two Anish Kapoor 2011 illy Art Collection espresso cups.

My old Francis Francis X7 behind two Anish Kapoor 2011 illy Art Collection espresso cups.

I’ll get into the specifics of how and why I became a fan of the brand someday, but suffice it to say that the fact that they are still on the shelf there speaks volumes.

The afternoon wrapped up at an excellent Mexican place, Julio’s that Nicole took me to.  Excellent fajitas.  Will have to come back with Jennifer so she can try the tacos and/or burritos, because they looked amazing as they came out of the kitchen.

And the experience, at least for Friday, wouldn’t have been complete without witnessing a verbal altercation between a few older men and women on the subway.  Always a fun time to listen in on a conversation that you both don’t understand and completely understand at the same time.

The bloke in the center there was very angry at this woman sitting to the right of the man on the right. There was a shouting match as she exited the subway car. Fun.

The bloke in the center there was very angry at this woman sitting to the right of the man on the right. There was a shouting match as she exited the subway car. Fun.

Tomorrow is the school’s Fantasy Football Draft.  I don’t know if that should be capitalized, but from what I understand, it’s some serious business.  I’m making a chili.

Will let you know how that works out.

 

One more day until Cheat Day… Wish me luck.

 

 

G-Style

Suji’s, Gangnam, & Random Weirdness

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Today was a great day.

Despite a couple of early hiccups (including one on the Cheat Day maintenance front), Jenn & I had a lovely day exploring and eating thru Itaewon and Gangnam. Okay, I did most of the eating, but we had a lovely time.

We kicked it off on the 5500 as usual and checked another ‘brunch’ place off our list in Suji’s Restaurant & Bar in Itaewon.

Jenn had the highly recommended Jack & Jill and I had the Lumberjack (food porn here).  The atmosphere was cozy and we had lovely seats at the facing-out bar overlooking the intersection below.  As we got sorted out to leave, the canned dining soundtrack (which included Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra) played our wedding song by Etta James.  Yeah, it’s a cliche but bugger off; it was a not-so-subtle reminder and a good omen for the day to come.

We walked down the street when Jenn noticed that there was a humane society type yard sale happening on the opposite side of the street.  She’s got this sense about those kind of things.

Jenn spies a yard sale to benefit a humane society

Jenn spies a yard sale to benefit a humane society

A quick stop at the previously mentioned High Street Market for a couple of items and about 10 minutes after that yielded the photos presented below.  Make of it what you wish.

After a subway ride to Gangnam, going through the crowd at the underground shopping mall (mobbed, btw), exiting at Gate (Station exit) 11, and on our way to an ‘art installation’ which I’ll get to in a moment, we had the second of two very strange animal encounters in three days.

Flashback to Friday night.

We’re walking from Paragon Apartments in Jeongja to a bar with a bunch of teachers from the school when I spy a fluffy white dog being walked by two guys down the street ahead of me.  I increase my pace and stop and say, “Excuse me… Samoyed?” And they reply, “Yes.”

Angel, our Samoyed.

Angel, our Samoyed.

Jenn and I had a Samoyed named Angel for about 14 years.  We got her when she was a puppy and we took her to Cayman where she eventually passed away.  We missed her terribly and finally had the courage to get another dog three years ago.  Jenn sees me and the male Sammy (named Beckham) and runs over to say hi.  When I say that looking into this animals eyes was like looking into the past I realize that it sounds weird, but I swear it was true.

Back to today.

On our way to pay homage to Psy, I see another Samoyed.  This one is female and is being walked by a Korean woman.  I am floored.  I ask her, “Samoyed?”  he English isn’t as good and we don’t have as long an interaction, but she says, “Yes.”  I bend down and the dog looks at me with those deep, dark eyes and that Sammy smile and I’m in shock.  Jenn walks up and I start to show the girl the picture of Angel and just then the dog jumps up on her hind legs onto Jenn just like Angel used to.

It’s gotta mean something, right? Crazy that I didn’t even think to snap photos in either situation.

We finally got the photo Jenn was hankering for…

Photo oppum in Psy's dong.

Photo oppum in Psy’s dong.

Right after that, as we were perusing where to go next, a Korean guy with perfect English asks if we’re lost and are looking for something specific.  We reply not really, we were just looking to get a feel for the neighborhood (aka ‘dong’), but thanks so much.  Twenty minutes later, we’re talking about synchronicity to Nick in an Angel-In-Us Coffee shop off the main drag in Gangnam.  Nick’s an American-Korean (born in America, of Korean heritage), schooled in Vancouver, and on a sabbatical.  A chance encounter halfway around the world that makes you believe in fate and the fact that everyone is more alike than different.  Nick’s a good kid.  I think before he heads back to the west coast of North America, we’ll be seeing him again.  I’ll be taking some of his suggestions on where to go and what to do, but Jenn will probably skip the one about eating live octopus.

We said goodbye to Nick, and as Jenn shopped in a nearby Body Shop, I made a quick stop in a Butterfinger Pancakes (which happened to be around the corner) for a second Butterfinger Blast in as many weeks. (#DuhWinning!)

For the record, this guy is right: These are the best milkshakes I’ve ever had, and baby, I’ve had a few.

Finally, after a stop for a NY Chocolate Cheesecake and a double chocolate somethingorother (along with an original for later for Jenn) in a Krispy Kreme, it was time to head back home.

But not before one more treat for the road…

Seriously, New York Fries? This mozzarella/gravy concoction should be called "Faux-tine"

Seriously, New York Fries? This mozzarella/gravy concoction should be called “Faux-tine”

And that’s it.  Lovely Sunday.  So long Cheat Day and thanks for all the indigestion!

Psying in the Gangnam subway station...

Psying in the Gangnam subway station…

 

 

 

On the bus to Jeongja this happened. I introduced this Korean Komedianne to the term "photobomb."

On the road again

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It’s slowly coming together.

The challenges of moving halfway around the world with so many differences make it tough to adjust to the whole thing all at once.  So when you’re not paralyzed by the sheer volume of things to take in, you try and mete out solutions.  Or should I say SEOULutions?

Aside from a small speedbump on Saturday night, this weekend should be considered a positive step.  We’re still here.  And I think it’s getting better.  No big f-ups on public transit, we’re mostly on time for things.  And we’re planning ahead as best we can.

Friday night was a school social of sorts at “Fridge Bar,” which, of course, is not the name of the bar. We took the bus to the general area and as we walked out into the humid Korean air, I asked Jenn, “So how the heck are we going to find these people.”  And then I saw the lot of them congregating not more than 30 yards in front of us.  I waved and said, “That. Was. Hilarious.”

So we made our way to Beer Call.  Lovely place for all you fans of fermented grains.

Saturday was a walk and explore the grocery stores day.  Jenn & I love checking out the local supermarkets… We enjoy discovering the odd foreign foods stocked amongst whatever country’s versions of standard goods.  Not that all of these were taken on 17 August 2013, but here’s what I’m talking about:

After getting a nap, we headed out to grab a bite to eat in Hongdae and then on to Party (the actual title of a gathering… just “Party,” thanks Nicole).  Unfortunately the Mexican place we wanted to go to had been replaced with this:

Stupid headphone store that kept me from my Mexican feast.Stupid headphone store that kept me from my Mexican feast.

Stupid headphone store that kept me from my Mexican feast.

So it was off to noodle&donburri.

Jennifer enjoying her udon & fritters

Jennifer enjoying her udon & fritters

We had to cut our time short at Party, due to public transit schedules but did get to see the guy below try to get dragged out of a subway car by a fellow passenger, finally getting ejected by a conductor (almost landing right onto Jennifer) only to make his way back into the subway car as the doors closed, then finally exit the car once the doors opened again.  Apparently they take cars out of service toward the end of the night.

I'm not as think as you drunk I am.

I’m not as think as you drunk I am.

Which brings us to today.

Cheat Day.

On the docket was Butterfingers Pancakes in Jeongja & shmying around looking for other spots to put on the list… Imma gonna just put some of the pics up… Mkay?

</CheatDay>

<Digestion>

Next week: more fun and another trip to CostCo!

New Nikes

My feet are killing me…

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Jenn & I had an amazing day today in spite of being 40+ minutes late to meet our friends in Hongdae.

Nicole & her boyfriend Pat have (pretty much) lived here in Seoul for five years.  I knew Nic in Cayman during one of her previous lives and when she made the jump to Asia I was thoroughly impressed.  Not because I didn’t think she could handle it, just because I admired the chutzpah it took for a single gal to go through an ESL teaching course and travel halfway around the world to live and work.  That was awesome.  As I said a half dozen times to her, if it wasn’t for her input, the whole thing here in Korea would have been a whole lot more challenging.  And today was amazing proof of that.

The orientation group had skipped Namdaemun Market due to time constraints and we at least wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  So we set a date to have a quick bite in their dong, Hongdae, and then take the subway to the market where more food would be had.  it being Sunday (read: Cheat Day), I was super excited to let loose, especially with my new The Sports BigTen by E-Mart Nikes.

New Nikes

New Nikes

So we missed the first 5500 bus headed into Seoul, which gave me an excuse to get started on my Cheat Day via one of Paris Baguette’s conch shell pies.

Paris Baguette conch shell pie

Paris Baguette conch shell pie

We finally arrived in Hondae and after quickly checking out their pad, we made our way to Istanbul Kebab, a little no-frills joint down the street.  After finishing up and stopping at my (rather expensive) cookie place, we headed over to the market.

Ben's Cookies in Hongdae, Korean girls not included.

Ben’s Cookies in Hongdae, Korean girls not included.

Pat alluded to the fact, and I finally coughed it up, that Namdaemun is kinda the bottom of the tourist ladder.  But the sights and smells were unique and I’m glad we went.  Jenn got her fan and iPhone5 flipcase/wallet.

Jenn in Namdaemun

Jenn in Namdaemun

We smartly decided to head over to Myeondong Shopping Street, the same place I’d visited early last Tuesday morning.  It was even better with the throngs that flocked there…

Myeondong Shopping Street

Myeondong Shopping Street

There was some great streetmeat on display…

Myeondong streetmeat

Myeondong streetmeat

Pat had a previous engagement, so he split and after a fruitless search for quality ice cream and the beginnings of foot cramping setting in, it was time for a refuel in a Starbucks.  Then it was time to part ways with the lovely Nicole.

After a lengthy trip back home to Suji-gu which involved three different subway lines, Crunky bar, a stop in Pizza School, and a cab ride because we were just too pooped to deal with the public bus situation, it’s time to call it a night.

The Nikes held up awesomely… But they were definitely put through their paces.

There will be more pictures on the facebook when I wake up tomorrow morning…

 

 

 

One of the differences here is that bars/restaurants/cafes are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of what looks like business-type buildings.

1 Aug 2013, Korea

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Today has been an interesting day so far.

Jenn has had to get to school early for some admin work and today I decided to join her so that I could see where the main bank branch would be for setting up our accounts.  There are no joint accounts in SoKo, so we’re going to get two, because, hey, why not?

I’ll have to go back there tomorrow to finish up the paperwork, but she’s all sorted.

After the work was done, I went for a little walk around Sunae.  Lovely little area.

I’ll have some random food-in-grocery-stores photos coming soon for all my foodie friends.