I think this will be the last post of December. So Steph and I have been in Seoul for a week and a half now and have found our rhythm (mostly in the form of food). We've been running all around town, so I can kinda blog about what happened where by location.
Note: This was not all one day. It is throughout the course of the days.
First Stop: Fulbright Building
We went by the Fulbright Building in Seoul to say hi to my friends. Pretty low key, nothing too exciting happened. We did learn about changing water for fish (only 5% at a time) and sent travelers on their merry ways. We did have some time for pizza. :)
Second Stop: Insadong & Myeongdong
Well, no pictures for this one, but these are two of the bigger shopping districts in Korea. We perused around dipping into stores here and there. Mainly, it was for Steph to go shopping for her friends and experience the rush of Korean shopping. We'll have to go back some time and snap pics, but so far nothing... Sorry yall
Third Stop: Itaewon
I took Steph to Itaewon to show her the district and take her to the American style diner. It was another great experience with great food. I think the highlight of the Itaewon experience was having a Korean middle age vendor say "Sup Homie". That was a bit ridiculous... There was a strange foreigner to foreigner bonding moment when we all laughed as his expense.
Fourth Stop: J's house
So I have a cousin who lives near the Ogeum stop. She actually has been living in America but is now home for winter break. Steph and I were invited to their house for dinner. It was great to see people I haven't seen in a while. They were so nice and cordial. I was especially impressed by the food. J's mom went all out to prep for us. I'll let the pictures explain themselves.
Fifth Stop: Hair did
We had a fancy day this day. We went and go our hair did. Look at the results to see for yourself.
Sixth Stop: Art Museum
Unfortunately, we were unable to take pictures in the art museum. But we got some pictures outside. It was a nice contemporary gallery of Korean painters. Some looked metaphysical, some looked like pokeballs, some looked like rocks. It was a mixed bag, but we both enjoyed ourselves! There was also a tripppy statue set outside.
Seventh Stop: Deoksung Palace
Deoksung was the palace with the changing of the guards ceremony. It is famous for this, but it also houses the contemporary art museum. Steph and I did our usual touristy thing. Taking photos, admiring the scenery and architecture. We can let the photos speak for themselves.
- Lim Eung Sik Gallery -
We went through the photo gallery of Lim Eung Sik, one of the founding fathers of Korean photography. It was nice to see the evolution of his work from art to documentary to artistic documentary photography. I wasn't able to take any pictures in the exhibit. He really shows the stark changes in Korea starting as early as the 1940s. It shows different worlds really.
More info: http://www.moca.go.kr/engN/engNExhibition.do?_method=exhView&exhId=201102250000047&cur_page_name=scheduled
Eighth Stop: Gyeongbokgung Palace
This was the most interesting palace we have been to so far. It is the largest in Seoul and used as the main palace. I vaguely recall coming here with James in high school. We were able to dress up in traditional Korean clothes and take some photos. There was still a lot of snow remaining, so we took some pictures with the beautiful scenery.
- Folk Museum -
While Steph was touring the folk museum, I made a reprisal on the dance stage. Just thought everybody should know. Also, since it has been so cold, we have used these museums to take a break to rest our faces and our fingers from the harsh wind :S
Ninth Stop: Changdeokgung Palace
This palace was a lot of the same. We missed out on the Secret Garden tour, so we only saw the buildings and structures. This was the summer home that we visited in the winter... Brrrr
The three things that stick out are:
1. I was able to float in the air
2. I was able to turn into a Geodude
= 
- Tea time -
We took a break from the winter cold at 사랑 Tea shop in Insadong. It was a nice three story spot that I'll definitely visit again. We all had various teas and ordered a dduk and dried persimmon appetizer as well. It was great!
Tenth Stop: Nice Restaurant
For dinner, we were able go to a restaurant called 수라온 (Suraon). Steph and I joined E and her friend at this authentic Korean style restaurant. It was a nicer restaurant with a live show every thirty minutes. I don't have many pictures from this because E has a nicer camera. However, I did record some stuff. Overall, the food was pretty good but some stuff was rather bland. It was better for the experience than the food. However, I feel like the $100 per person VIP set dinner would have been very, very good.
Today's Course:
Plan B - We went and has some BANGING Italian food at the comically named Plan B restaurant. We had some pizza with honey dip and a sweet pumpkin pasta. Both were delectable. Honest to goodness I'll go there again whenever I can.
Spice Food - For dinner Steph and I went to Dongguk Station to have some Naeng Myun (cold noodles). Steph had herself a lil spicy Naeng Myun adventure as you can see here.
Bingsu - Red bean shaved ice... Our quest for shaved ice began as soon as Steph arrived. As per my cousin J's suggestion, we went to illy's to have some great bing su. I had strawberry, Steph had green tea. Strawberry > Green Tea.
Note: This was not all one day. It is throughout the course of the days.
First Stop: Fulbright Building
We went by the Fulbright Building in Seoul to say hi to my friends. Pretty low key, nothing too exciting happened. We did learn about changing water for fish (only 5% at a time) and sent travelers on their merry ways. We did have some time for pizza. :)
What up~
5,000 won pizza... not too bad eh?
Well, no pictures for this one, but these are two of the bigger shopping districts in Korea. We perused around dipping into stores here and there. Mainly, it was for Steph to go shopping for her friends and experience the rush of Korean shopping. We'll have to go back some time and snap pics, but so far nothing... Sorry yall
Third Stop: Itaewon
I took Steph to Itaewon to show her the district and take her to the American style diner. It was another great experience with great food. I think the highlight of the Itaewon experience was having a Korean middle age vendor say "Sup Homie". That was a bit ridiculous... There was a strange foreigner to foreigner bonding moment when we all laughed as his expense.
EAT MODE
Thumbs up!
Syrup action
Fourth Stop: J's house
So I have a cousin who lives near the Ogeum stop. She actually has been living in America but is now home for winter break. Steph and I were invited to their house for dinner. It was great to see people I haven't seen in a while. They were so nice and cordial. I was especially impressed by the food. J's mom went all out to prep for us. I'll let the pictures explain themselves.
Beef Ensalada
J
.Steak Sushi.
My contribution: cake!
J's family
J and I
We had a fancy day this day. We went and go our hair did. Look at the results to see for yourself.
Pre-op
Going into the operation
During the operation
Enter the matrix
Me
Post-op
Walk it out
Sixth Stop: Art Museum
Unfortunately, we were unable to take pictures in the art museum. But we got some pictures outside. It was a nice contemporary gallery of Korean painters. Some looked metaphysical, some looked like pokeballs, some looked like rocks. It was a mixed bag, but we both enjoyed ourselves! There was also a tripppy statue set outside.
El museo
Pensive Steph outside pondering about the finer things in life...
Still churning away
Yup
Trippy family
Steph the giant
Art museum shot!
Innocent Anthony~
Seventh Stop: Deoksung Palace
Deoksung was the palace with the changing of the guards ceremony. It is famous for this, but it also houses the contemporary art museum. Steph and I did our usual touristy thing. Taking photos, admiring the scenery and architecture. We can let the photos speak for themselves.
BACK UP
The brains behind the brawn
Friendly fighter
Steph was trying to fight em
Hi
Steph at an angle, another artistic shot
All castled out
Plankin
My pet lion, stole my hat...
Stephanie loves puppies
Sup bro, thanks for the Korean alphabet
Skip all the way home!
We went through the photo gallery of Lim Eung Sik, one of the founding fathers of Korean photography. It was nice to see the evolution of his work from art to documentary to artistic documentary photography. I wasn't able to take any pictures in the exhibit. He really shows the stark changes in Korea starting as early as the 1940s. It shows different worlds really.
More info: http://www.moca.go.kr/engN/engNExhibition.do?_method=exhView&exhId=201102250000047&cur_page_name=scheduled
Eighth Stop: Gyeongbokgung Palace
This was the most interesting palace we have been to so far. It is the largest in Seoul and used as the main palace. I vaguely recall coming here with James in high school. We were able to dress up in traditional Korean clothes and take some photos. There was still a lot of snow remaining, so we took some pictures with the beautiful scenery.
Modeling
Preparing for the real costume
Stone cold FOX
Off in the distance?
The soldier w/ sweet boots
Just a regular woman
"I don't like that picture" (steph)
Watching the gate
Kickin peeps
Hanbok woman (hint: its Steph)
Oh, I didn't see you there...
Oh, its you again...
Who?
Oppression
Hello winter festival hall
Its the Anthony Show! WOW
She was hiding here the WHOLE TIME
Stephanie feeling at home in the concubine quarters
Meditations
Self shot
In front of the moated garden pavilion
Steph's dragon child...
My rabbit warrior child with my scarf
A battle of oriental zodiac
Pagoda within the castle
Hi MOM
Whatup random gate on the side
- Folk Museum -
While Steph was touring the folk museum, I made a reprisal on the dance stage. Just thought everybody should know. Also, since it has been so cold, we have used these museums to take a break to rest our faces and our fingers from the harsh wind :S
Made for the stage
Ninth Stop: Changdeokgung Palace
This palace was a lot of the same. We missed out on the Secret Garden tour, so we only saw the buildings and structures. This was the summer home that we visited in the winter... Brrrr
The three things that stick out are:
1. I was able to float in the air
2. I was able to turn into a Geodude
= 
Otherwise, the castle was much of the same because it was built around the same time period. I can't really say too much about it now at this time. :(
3. We were able to awaken a dragon
- Tea time -
We took a break from the winter cold at 사랑 Tea shop in Insadong. It was a nice three story spot that I'll definitely visit again. We all had various teas and ordered a dduk and dried persimmon appetizer as well. It was great!
Standard photo
Artsy photo
HUGE RIGHT EAR!!!!
Wat up tea house
Welcome mat
Tenth Stop: Nice Restaurant
For dinner, we were able go to a restaurant called 수라온 (Suraon). Steph and I joined E and her friend at this authentic Korean style restaurant. It was a nicer restaurant with a live show every thirty minutes. I don't have many pictures from this because E has a nicer camera. However, I did record some stuff. Overall, the food was pretty good but some stuff was rather bland. It was better for the experience than the food. However, I feel like the $100 per person VIP set dinner would have been very, very good.
Presentation
Presentation 2
Sashimi on the rocks
The show
Showing
Medicinal rice
Happy :)
Flirtatious
Next performance
It continues
Musical performance
Presentation (tea and dduk)
Presentation (by me)
Even afterwards, presentation is key
Today's Course:
Plan B - We went and has some BANGING Italian food at the comically named Plan B restaurant. We had some pizza with honey dip and a sweet pumpkin pasta. Both were delectable. Honest to goodness I'll go there again whenever I can.
They obviously know what Plan B means...
A part of my Light and Stephanie series
Sweet Pumpkin Pasta
Great Honey Dip Cheese Pizza
Seriously, great pizza
Nurses recommend Plan B
Spice Food - For dinner Steph and I went to Dongguk Station to have some Naeng Myun (cold noodles). Steph had herself a lil spicy Naeng Myun adventure as you can see here.
Bingsu - Red bean shaved ice... Our quest for shaved ice began as soon as Steph arrived. As per my cousin J's suggestion, we went to illy's to have some great bing su. I had strawberry, Steph had green tea. Strawberry > Green Tea.
WTF is this?
Master at work
Steph's trial by FIRE
Ice perspective 1
Ice perspective 2
Steph: Gawd! Finally.
So, hopefully you have some general idea of our days thus far. Its been pretty wild but I think very manageable. Hopefully, I can throw up one final blog post about what we do!
- Anthony