"I need to buy eggs," I think without opening my eyes. Somewhere outside my window a bird tries to sing louder than both the six am construction hacking away at the sidewalk and the workers melding to creation new high-rise buildings across the street. "Eggs," I think again, making a list, "bread, bananas, tomatoes." And I kind of want kimchi fried rice for dinner later today. But it's Saturday, the fifteenth of September, and I'd already made plans to meet with friends at a brewery in Gwangan around seven. Finally, the construction dulls to a quiet hum and I can hear that stubborn bird breaking into chorus. "Eggs." I try drifting to sleep, get a few more hours in before my Skype "meeting" at eleven. "Bread. Bananas. Tomatoes." That morning of the 15th marked my official one month anniversary of moving to Korea. I hadn't realized it until the day after, a sleepy Sunday before the start of a new work-week like any other Sunday in any other part of the world. Do I give the whole shebang of a life-update? Tell you exactly how many friends I've made, sights I've seen, and epiphanies experienced? Or do I photo-dump and peace-out, use the rest of my current mid-term exams desk-warming time to brush up on my Korean? To be honest, I think this post will read more like a diary...
So for this Chuseok I planned a four day hiking trip to Geoje-do. The weather is supposed to be 70 and sunny the whole time I'm there (let's cross our fingers) and I've already made a list of trails to trek. After an easy week of Chuseok lessons and desk-warming post-grad decisions, a month of city and city and more city, it's time to go home to the mountain air! Seoul PhotosI feel like these pictures match the vibrancy and energy that overwhelmed me in Seoul. Everything is loud, from the colors to the movement, to the way each every-which-way line gets your eyes moving up, down, side-ways, and diagonal. I'm by no means an experienced photographer, but I'm happy to say the tone of each picture matches how I felt adventuring through Korea's capital city! Busan PhotosMeanwhile in Busan, my constant business and movement feels tinged with warm fog, catching the tails of typhoons and overcast days. I've been spending a lot of time in Gwangan. My friends and I have found a group of people who play beach volleyball practically every Sunday. While I'm not much of a player I can't say no to lounging in the sand, watching them jump around screaming and cheering until it's time for dinner nearby. ![]() I'm a bit further away from all the Busan action, but I have to say--I think I've got the best cafes in the city! Either a twenty minute hike up the mountain or a ten minute bus ride gets me to Choryang 1941 and Choryang 845. The first is a Japanese style cottage that had been built in 1941 (hence the name) and had also been the filming location for episode 6 of a K-Drama called Just Between Lovers. The decor offers patrons rustic comfort, and when I went with friends, we had sat nestled in a nook of tatami mats. Choryang 845 is right in front, providing spectacular views of the city below as you enjoy your brunch, lunch, or dinner.
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