Some wedding anniversary snaps

We spent our weekend celebrating our first wedding anniversary in Seoul. We pushed the boat out a bit for the hotel. It wasn't cheap but we went for a nice package deal at the Novotel in Gangnam, an area I'd never been to and quite liked whilst there.

The first thing we did when we got to Seoul was go to Itaewon for some food. We headed to Suji's restaurant. We'd never been there and I'm glad we went. Although pricey our meals were tasty and filling. I wish I could get a Reubens sandwich in Daegu - or any decent sandwich here to be honest.

I was stuffed and my wife was full up too so we got the subway to our hotel. Our package deal got us quite a few things for free thrown in including free drinks for two and a half hours. Needless to say I enjoyed this part. It was also the first time I'd worn my suit since our 'wedding celebration in May'. After drinks we ate in the hotel restaurant which again was expensive but the food was very good.

The next day we had no real plan so after the wonderful hotel breakfast we walked around Myeongdong window shopping because eventually going to Itaewon again, this time to the Wolfhound pub. I find myself going there every time in Seoul. We both relaxed and had dinner and beer before heading home to Daegu. I wonder what is in store for us next year.

South Korea's low birthrate solution?

During my last trip to Seoul I found the bathrooms in the train station littered with these cards. An answer to the low birth rate here?

Some Seoul pictures

A Weekend in Seoul

I'm feel refreshed from a weekend spent in Seoul. When I first lived in Korea I never really liked it's capital. It felt too crowded and the places I went to didn't feel special. Nowadays, I enjoy every time I go. Despite the freezing cold weather of Saturday we both had a fun time and can't wait to go back the next chance we have.

On Saturday my wife and I went to the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Seoul Museum of Art. I thought parts of this were good - I'm no big art fan - but there were too many people packed into too short a space. I saw some pieces that I hadn't seen before, which was good. The translated English grammar was very poor though, and there weren't enough details explanations about the paintings in English or Korean. Too many kids as well, but what can you expect on a Saturday. It would have been nice to have been able to take some pictures of the exhibit but they prohibited.

After leaving we were temporarily lost but chanced upon a procession. We followed this and it lead us to the royal ceremony of the changing of the guard at Deoksugung palace which takes places three times a day. We enjoyed this and I've been looking to watch one of these for some while. I took many photos (see below) though most were of low quality and were we were standing wasn't the best of places. I'd like to check it out again next time in Seoul.

Later on we met my wife's cousin and her husband. This was the highlight of the weekend as her husband actually spoke some English. So far most of the relatives of my wife that I've met haven't been able to communicate with me. It's a challenge that we live with but it does limit how well I've been able to get to know her family so far. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and later went for drinks. Hopefully we can meet up in the coming months.

Sunday was pretty relaxing. We went shopping in Myeongdong as we always do. I really like that area and we both ended up buying things we can't get in Daegu. Later we went to Itaewon where I went looking for books. I picked a few up but not as many as last time. We had some beers with fish and chips and nachos before heading home. Sounds uneventful but we had fun getting out of Daegu. I'm now looking forward to my February trip off the peninsula.

Wonderful times ahead

I am at the airport lounge playing out the remaining time I have before my plane leaves for Hong Kong. Today was spent in Seoul where I had some very important business to take care of. Regarding that, everything went to plan and I can now look forward happily the future. More on that when I get back to Korea. Last night I had about twenty minutes sleep. It's now nearly 7pm and I'm exhausted but I doubt I will get any sleep time on the plane as that normally never happens. Tomorrow I am headed to the casino...

Snapshot of Seoul

Back from a weekend spent in Seoul, capital of South Korea. Again we both enjoyed our time there despite not venturing out from most of the places we usually we go when in Seoul - we stayed in the Myeongdong area. The short trip also again reinforced the belief that I am right in not choosing to live and work in Seoul. It's a nice place to go to with infinitely more things to do in Daegu but if I lived there I am sure most of my money would be spent on entertainment, going drinking and buying unnecessary things. That's not to say I like living in Daegu, but right now I'm here to work and make money, not to drink all my money away in bars. Here are a few pictures of what we saw.

Seoul In January