Tag Archives: illy

Ben coffeesurfing with Gabriele Galimberti

Coffeesurfing

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Y’all know what a big fan of illy coffee I am…

A few months ago, the illy Coffeesurfer, aka world renowned photographer Gabriele Galimberti, came to Seoul and I was excited to share my story with him & have him snap my picture in one of my oases of small pleasures.

Now you can read all about it here.

It was a pretty cool experience just to talk to someone who’s couchsurfed his way around the world multiple times and even made his way to Cayman as part of his ‘Delicatessen with love’ series. His work is impressive, but I was more impressed with his stories of how he’s married his love of travel with this love of photography.  Check out his work here.

Safe travels, my friend.  The next time we meet, the illy’s on me.

 

 

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.

 

 

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!

espressamente by illy in Shingsae

No matter where you go…

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… there is coffee

With apologies to Buckaroo Banzai, of course…

espressamente by illy

espressamente by illy

As I sipped my illy iced Americano in espressamente illy @ Shinsegae Department store, I wondered if my coffee sense had been tainted by all the Starbucks, Paris Baguette, and numerous other slightly better (CoffeeMama) and much worse (GS25 or the crappy Kirkland Colombia CostCo blend that was in our crappy automatic coffee machine) coffees I’d drunk since leaving my beloved Francis Francis X7 (thanks Alicia!) in Cayman.

Francis Francis X7 in situ in Cayman

Francis Francis X7 in situ in Cayman

A half hour earlier I’d had an iced Americano at the Starbucks on a higher floor and I’d like to think that I could taste the difference but to be fair, I’m not quite sure.

Starbucks in Shinsegae

Starbucks in Shinsegae

Iced Americanos aren’t as true a representation of the coffee as much as, say, an espresso shot, with which I’m sure I could distinguish a good coffee from a not so good coffee. It’s probably for the best because if all the crap I’ve been drinking had been so obviously crap, I’d be much more of a grump.

I will say this about the illy iced Americano, the barista here did it proper shakerato style. Propers for that my Korean friend.

Iced Americano prepared to perfection by illy. Shakerato!

Iced Americano prepared to perfection by illy. Shakerato!