My Korea Diary series was supposedly completed two months ago with the TY giveaway. But I found a bunch of footage in my storage and remembered it was always my intentions to stitch something together with it, eventually. Keep in mind I am definitely no vlogger.
I finally mustering up the courage and time to look through hundreds of video clips and man does my video work need improvement. Two-thirds (if not more) of it was too shoddy to incorporate. In other words, shaky, moves from subjects too quickly, and just not very interesting. At least I can say I tried my best to condense 50 days worth of memories into something a little intriguing and quick to watch.
Basically to sum up all the posts I have made and the video...I learned a bunch of stuff during the study abroad (inside and out of the classroom). I saw a lot of different things and met many great friends from around the world while eating a ton of delicious and indulgent foods along the way.
I was really excited for the day's plans. It was something I had wanted to do the moment I landed and got situated in Seoul. I read somewhere on the interwebs about the inexpensive glasses available from Namdaemun and my goal was set, prescription sunglasses shall be mine at last!
A late night meant most of us ended up waking up around noon. After grabbing a quick meal in Edae, our group took the subway to Namdaemun Market to scout for some new specs.
Since Bestie C wasn't too interested in glasses shopping with me, I was really excited to hear that our Californian friends were. I was most afraid of my haggling skills and welcomed the extra support of going with a group of people. It was definitely reassuring to know that those friends had superior price negotiating tactics than me.
I probably mentioned it in one of my first Korea Diary posts, but Namdaemun Market had way too many eyeglass shops to choose from. What originally began as going into one to just price gauge became staying at one to price haggle. Our first and only visit ended up at Good Morning Eyeglass 굿모닝 안경원. It was one of the bigger places that could accommodate our large group.
One side of their store housed mainly the designer brands like the Ray Bans, Chanel, etc. The other side had the Korean brands, which were, of course, the more affordable options. Regular clear glasses from the domestic Korean brands could cost around ₩20,000. The price went up with additional things such as the thickness of the lens. Sunglasses frames were also priced a little higher as well.
If my eyesight wasn't as terrible and I was a stronger haggler, perhaps I could have gotten a pair of new specs for less than ₩20,000. Alas, that's not me. I was prepared to pay more for the thinnest lenses possible. These things practically live on my face so that I am able to navigate the world. I needed them to feel as if they weren't there. To no surprise, the prices the salesman gave was much higher for my requests. It wasn't as expensive as what it would cost back in NYC but a big difference from a no-frills version in Seoul.
(For comparison, I had my eyes checked before going to Korea and was quoted for a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses with thinner lenses and I believe anti-scratch. A sales person at a popular eyeglass chain in NYC told me it would cost $600+ for the sunglasses. The typical cost of my previous glasses with thinner lenses and anti-scratch was around $400-500.)
It took me a very long time to finally decide the frames that I wanted to buy. There were just so many choices to choose from. While I went in knowing 100% that I was going to walk out with a pair of sunglasses, I also tacked on a pair of normal glasses as well. Being in an Asian eyeglass shop meant most of the frames had nose support that suited small Asian nose bridges. This was an opportunity too good to pass up on. Plus, I thought it would help with the price haggling. Saying 2 for $xxx is easier than going 1 for $xxx.
If my memory is correct, I think the salesman originally told me that the prices of both frames together would be around ₩500,000. If I was back at home, this would have been a great deal. But I was hoping to get a steal.
I made the "ehh I don't know" and "it still seems pretty pricey" faces while staring at my choices.
Mr. Sales saw and shot back with a lower price saying that it was because I was buying two & he was giving a special discount.
Again, I gave him my unsure face. Until some time later he asked me how much I was thinking.
Bingo! Without looking too excited, I gestured 2 fingers, pointed at my picks, and then replied with ₩200,000.
Of course, Mr. Sales didn't give in that easily. After a bit of insistence and more back and forth, he finally gave in. YES!
In just an hour's time, the new spectacles would be mine. I say I definitely won the lottery at ₩100,000 a piece. I couldn't even have bought 1/6 pair of a sunglass in NYC at that price.
I went in knowing my eyesight so that I could avoid any potential language dilemmas surrounding an examination. But for those who aren't sure of their prescription, I believe shops do basic exams free of charge.
Everyone had souvenir gifts they needed to purchase and there were so many snacks to try. An hour at the Namdaemun Market went by really quickly. Same day glasses service is the best. Everything from start to finish only took less than 4 hours of the day. If you're not as indecisive as me it could even take only take 2 hours before new glasses reach your hands.
By the time we settled our glasses To-Do, dinner time was greeting us. Our big group found our way to nearby Myeongdong for dinner at School Food Blooming Mari. I don't have much memory of this place except for their colorful cidar/Sprite fruit drinks.
The only bar my friends and I went to in Korea was Bar Pro and that was for their unlimited drinks for an inexpensive price. It definitely wasn't the strongest cocktails but none of us went to Bar Pro for the drink quality.
After introducing our Korean friend (the one who studied full time in America) to Bar Pro, he told us he could show us a better place, alcohol-wise. That's how we ended up in Hongdae's 1st Island that night. 1st Island was definitely interesting. The first thing we were greeted with as we walked inside was a little inflatable pool with a turtle and then a small alligator inside a tank. I think the fee was around ₩25,000 for unlimited drinks, which is considerably higher than at Bar Pro but the cocktails were much much stronger and of bigger quantities.
A few friends left early because they didn't feel well. Being a little curious as to what bar culture was like, I decided to stick around. The more experienced friends in the group led the drinking games and that's how we entertained ourselves for the next couple of hours as we slowly drank/sipped on the vodka cocktails.
The last thing I wanted was to be utterly hammered. I had no idea what my limit was but I kept myself in check with how much I sipped since we had no pressure from each other to chug anything. While I left 1st Island conscious and aware, the same cannot be said about a couple of my friends. None were had the point of throwing up but their imaginations sure ran wild. It was probably in the AMs, we were all walking along to get towards a busier area and someone had mistaken a dog to be paper or vice versa. That sure was a good laugh!
I am not sure what the hangover eats are in Korea but a seollongtang 설렁탕 (ox-bone soup) shop was open at the insane hour we were still out. We needed a place to sit and clear our heads anyways.
By the time we were all okay enough to head back, the only options we had were either a taxi or on foot. Most of us were more than glad to hail a cab the short distance from Hongdae to SK Global. A few wanted to journey back via a stroll, so we ended up splitting up and saying goodbye for the night. It was already past 3AM by the time I arrived in my dorm room and Bestie C had probably been asleep for a few hours already. The hard mattress in my dorm room never looked so comfy.
To some Hongdae is known for it's bars and clubbing scene. For others it is an artsy and indie music cultural hub. But that night my friends and I were on the hunt for something totally different, themed restaurants.
With so many bars and restaurants in such a concentrated area, everyone has to differentiate themselves somehow. One of our friends was a big fan of the anime called One Piece and found out there was a place in Hongdae that was all about it. This place was pretty difficult to find because it was not only on one of the quieter streets but it is also a lower-level establishment. The only major indicator that it was the One Piece shop was the sole green illuminated flag hanging in between two buildings.
Even though I was not familiar with the anime, I was just as amazed by those who were at the restaurant's decor. Various themed merchandise were strategically placed: t-shirts, stuffed animals, figurines, etc. A projector was airing the anime against a free wall. We all thought it would have been a great to eat, chat, and enjoy the anime. That was until we were given the menu and saw how expensive the food dishes were. Would it really be worth it?
After a little while of confused and indecisive glances at the menu in front of us and then to each other, the staff let us know that this was actually a bar and the food items were more like accompaniments rather than entrees. Since we hadn't ordered or given anything yet, our group was able to walk out no strings attached. I still don't quite understand the concept of that restaurant/bar but at least the big anime fans were able to get to see a space dedicated to their favorite show.
To say those friends were disappointed that they couldn't get to eat there was probably an understatement. It also didn't help that we were trying to locate the place in rainy weather. By the time we left the One Piece bar, we were getting hungrier and hungrier. At some point we stumbled upon the Chinese-style restaurant named Caiyuan. At this point, I think it is safe to say that if it wasn't a meal that made a particular impression on me it was probably just alright. Nothing bad but nothing great either.
While one friend really wanted to find the One Piece spot, another had her eyes on the Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae. How can someone resist such cutely decorated foods and drinks? Cakes and waffles shaped as Hello Kitty's head. Lattes with Hello Kitty's face outlined in cocoa powder. Even the tables and walls had her imprint. I wouldn't say this is a place to go for outstanding sweets. It was definitely more of a novelty stop to let our inner child get all giddy.
The lovely campus of Yonsei~ This city girl was thoroughly amazed by how well kept the landscaping was. One of my regrets of the study abroad trip was not taking the chance to fully explore all of Yonsei University.
Chicken doshirak from Obong Doshirak at SK Global House
Obong Doshirak is apparently a chain lunchbox restaurant in Korea. I have only seen (or noticed) it at the SK Global House dorm building. My friends and I loved the convenience and variety they had to offer. Even though some of the portions may look to be on the smaller side, it was actually a very fulling meal. For those that are bigger eaters, they also offer combo lunch boxes.
Day 11 marked the first day of Korean language classes. After the fact that I was actually going to be in Korea, being able to learn Korean in an official class setting was the second most exciting part of my study abroad experience. The first lesson we had involved a lot of emphasis on pronunciation.
I don't remember exactly the situation, but judging by my dinner meal it seems like everyone had a busy school night. Eating in? No problem! A few convenience store food options can make a hearty meal.
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What I thought would be a not-so-interesting school day on day 12 ended in a surprising way.
Sogogi doshirak from Obong Doshirak
Since this was our first week of classes, I wasn't daring enough to venture outside of school grounds for my meal between classes. Obong Doshirak seemed like an obvious choice since the first lunchbox was pretty tasty and it's right by the dorms and Korean language center.
The second day in the Korean language course was all about forming words. From the way different letters of the Korean alphabet (hangul 한글) can and can't be combined to how the combinations are pronounced.
Once the Korean language course ended and I made by way back to my dorm room, my computer greeted me with a charging issue. Wonderful!...Where was I going to get my MacBook issue resolved in Korea at night? The hunt was on.
Jeju doshiak from Obong Doshirak
Before trekking to fix my computer issue, the tummy needed to be filled. A quick dinner was definitely much needed. Thus my third meal from Obong Doshirak in 2 days! Perhaps this is some kind of food record for me? So much fried food and eating from the same restaurant so frequently is not ordinary for me.
During my frantic research, I found that Apple didn't actually have an official store in Korea. Considering that Samsung and LG are Korean companies and the most popular brands in Korea, it makes sense that there wasn't an Apple store.
I only managed to find a bunch of authorized Apple retailers via blog posts. Most of which seemed like they were near Gangnam, which was a good 45+ minute subway ride from Yonsei University. Luckily I recognized a name of one of the retailers, Frisbee, being in Hongdae. I didn't notice when we first passed by it but Frisbee in Korea is practically like the official Apple store.
I was shocked by the cost of the laptop charger that I needed (close to ₩100,000 or ~USD$100). If I didn't already research how much this would cost back home (USD$79) and this happened near the end of my trip, I would have seriously considered not purchasing the replacement whilst in Korea.
Day 3 in Korea was a whirlwind of a day. It marked the end of my pre-school travels, the start of the study abroad experience, and traveling to a whole new city.
We flagged a taxi in Hongdae early in the morning after leaving our AirBnB studio and headed to Yonsei University. Luckily the taxi driver this time around was much nicer and more patient than the first one we met. Even the random strangers on campus were super nice to help us with our luggages whilst trying to find the correct building. What a lovely start to our morning!
Once on-boarding and orientation were through, off to Gimpo Airport we went. Since I wasn't placed on the same bus as Bestie C I had the chance to befriend some new faces from all over the world. My bus partner for the field trip was from the U.K. and spoke Cantonese as well (definitely help relieved me some awkwardness).
I don't remember the exact number but there were a total of 4 tour buses full of us students on the YISS field trip to Jeju. But those tour buses were something else! Usually buses like these have microphones for the guides and the fancy ones have small screens for videos. These buses had a flat screen monitor up front!
Everyone was starving by the time we landed in Jeju. Luckily lunch was the first thing on our itineraries. I think we had kimchi stew (김치찌개 kimchi jjigae) with pork for our meal. Korean's have an interesting idea where they beat (hot weather) heat with heat. I wasn't too sure about the idea then and sweating during the meal isn't my cup of tea. But I guess that's the point? To produce sweat as a natural way to cool the body off.
Tea Museum Entrance
Seogwang Tea Garden
OSULLOC Green Tea Ice Cream OSULLOC Tea Museum (오설록티뮤지엄)
425, Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주도 서귀포시 안덕면 신화역사로 425
We were taken to the OSULLOC Tea Museum afterwards. It must have been a pretty popular destination at Jeju since tourists were aplenty here. Lines for their cafe and gift items were very long, which did us no favor since we were running on a set schedule. Luckily my new friend and bus partner and I were still able to grab one cup of green tea ice cream to share.
For those that will also be visiting Seoul or probably any other major city in Korea, don't fret! OSULLOC has cafes and shops as well. While the selection isn't as vast, it might not be worth the wait to stand on line in the Jeju museum. Take your time to wonder their museum (inside and out) instead, ENJOY! I wish we were able to spend some more time here since there seemed to be other areas of the museum which I didn't get to see.
Visiting Songaksan was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the tea museum. There weren't many people. If anything our big group was temporarily disrupting the quietness at the mountain. I enjoyed the hike here. Nothing too difficult and paths were clear. (If only I wasn't lugging around my backpack full of electronics though!)
Boy was I glad to finally be at the hotel after a big buffet dinner. My level of excited-ness was overwhelming once we got into the hotel lobby. I remember there being a Teddy Bear Museum at Jeju, which we couldn't go to. So to see that our hotel was teddy themed was just as nice. However I was most surprised once I reached by room. This was by first time seeing such a fancy toilet and a place that had a separate tub and shower. We even had a nice roomy walk-in type closet. 5-star is definitely something else!
I ended up with different person as a roommate due to the way YISS buddied everyone up. Since we were only sleeping at the hotel for a couple of nights it wasn't all too bad. Even though she partied with her friends, I usually slept late enough to not be bothered. It was nice to have the room to myself for a while too. I am not sure if I will ever be able to stay in such a nice hotel in the future but it has set a new standard for me.
Tip for future YISS attendees: If you are planning to attend the field-trip, have a separate suitcase ready (whether carry-on or check-in). You will be able to leave the rest of your bigger luggages at Yonsei University for the few days that you are away. A carry-on was enough for me because I ended up not buying much or anything big from Jeju.
