We had a long 4 day weekend because of Korean Thanksgiving on Monday. It was really nice to have 4 days to relax and not work. Jamie and I originally planned on going to a nearby island with some of my coworkers, but we heard the weather was going to be awful- so we decided against going. The weather turned out to be great all weekend and we spent most of our time in Seoul.
Saturday we revisited some areas we had been to. We meet up with some of my neighbor Sarah’s friends. They are all teachers all over South Korea. Two of the girls live in Busan right by the beach- I think we will be taking a weekend trip to visit them one day. We wandered around and Jamie and I eventually ended up in Itaewon. This part of town is very westernized because there is a US airbase there. It freaked me out to see so many American men. So strange- I was not sure what country I was in for a few moments.
PS- we also found out there is a line dancing bar in Itaewon- we did not find it that night- but Jamie and I will be there soon and show Korea how to line dance like Florida girls =).
I have only been here for 4 weeks, but some very important Sunday traditions have been formed. We went to our Mexican Restaurant for lunch as always. Then church at New Harvest. And Costco after. I love Costco more and more every week. It’s a little slice of heaven here in Seoul.
Monday was Thanksgiving here. And just like in the US everything is closed- except convenience stores- and the spas- so Jamie and I decided to try out a Korean Spa.
Here the spas are very traditional- and well more so bath houses- and well how do you put this- you have to be naked...
haha- yeah right- not happening. when hell freezes over.
or so I thought...
We found out that you can go in the saunas clothed- but all the pools, baths, and hot tubs are nude. There are separate floors for Men and Women by the way.
We decided to just go in the saunas- where you stay clothed.
We walked up- payed payed the 12,000 won (12 bucks) to enter. They gave us gym shorts and a t-shirt to wear, 2 towels (TINY towels- more like wash cloths- covering up with them is not an option). and a locker key.
Then we got on the women’s elevator- up we went- and the door opened-
Saturday we revisited some areas we had been to. We meet up with some of my neighbor Sarah’s friends. They are all teachers all over South Korea. Two of the girls live in Busan right by the beach- I think we will be taking a weekend trip to visit them one day. We wandered around and Jamie and I eventually ended up in Itaewon. This part of town is very westernized because there is a US airbase there. It freaked me out to see so many American men. So strange- I was not sure what country I was in for a few moments.
PS- we also found out there is a line dancing bar in Itaewon- we did not find it that night- but Jamie and I will be there soon and show Korea how to line dance like Florida girls =).
I have only been here for 4 weeks, but some very important Sunday traditions have been formed. We went to our Mexican Restaurant for lunch as always. Then church at New Harvest. And Costco after. I love Costco more and more every week. It’s a little slice of heaven here in Seoul.
Monday was Thanksgiving here. And just like in the US everything is closed- except convenience stores- and the spas- so Jamie and I decided to try out a Korean Spa.
Here the spas are very traditional- and well more so bath houses- and well how do you put this- you have to be naked...
haha- yeah right- not happening. when hell freezes over.
or so I thought...
We found out that you can go in the saunas clothed- but all the pools, baths, and hot tubs are nude. There are separate floors for Men and Women by the way.
We decided to just go in the saunas- where you stay clothed.
We walked up- payed payed the 12,000 won (12 bucks) to enter. They gave us gym shorts and a t-shirt to wear, 2 towels (TINY towels- more like wash cloths- covering up with them is not an option). and a locker key.
Then we got on the women’s elevator- up we went- and the door opened-
oh hey naked people!
Well- We found our lockers- and made a decision- when in Rome...
So we went to the pools Korean style. It was not nearly as mortifying as I imagined. It was really relaxing. There were so many different pools- some salt water, some with ginseng, some warm, some cold, some HOT, some were more like hot tubs and had jets. I still can’t believe we actually did it.
After a while we decided to go to the sauna part. This floor is co-ed and clothing required. They gave us little outfits when we arrived- think high school gym uniforms. We wandered around the co-ed areas for the rest of the day. There was a rooftop garden, an outdoor co-ed swimming pool (don't worry bathing suits required here), we took naps in the sleeping room, tried many different saunas (both could and hot), ate dinner at their restaurant, and even checked out the movie room where they were showing Avatar.
It is the perfect place to go and just veg out for a day. I felt so relaxed after.
One Tuesday we hiked the mountain that is in my back yard. BOY was that a work out. It was steep the whole way- my heart was pounding harder than it does when I run. It took about 45 mins to reach the top. The view was amazing.
Well- We found our lockers- and made a decision- when in Rome...
So we went to the pools Korean style. It was not nearly as mortifying as I imagined. It was really relaxing. There were so many different pools- some salt water, some with ginseng, some warm, some cold, some HOT, some were more like hot tubs and had jets. I still can’t believe we actually did it.
After a while we decided to go to the sauna part. This floor is co-ed and clothing required. They gave us little outfits when we arrived- think high school gym uniforms. We wandered around the co-ed areas for the rest of the day. There was a rooftop garden, an outdoor co-ed swimming pool (don't worry bathing suits required here), we took naps in the sleeping room, tried many different saunas (both could and hot), ate dinner at their restaurant, and even checked out the movie room where they were showing Avatar.
It is the perfect place to go and just veg out for a day. I felt so relaxed after.
One Tuesday we hiked the mountain that is in my back yard. BOY was that a work out. It was steep the whole way- my heart was pounding harder than it does when I run. It took about 45 mins to reach the top. The view was amazing.
I’m for sure going to be taking some morning hikes up here and just spending some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle .
I could see my home from the top!
where I live my life
Me at the top!
I can’t believe this is where I live my life. I have dreamed of living in the mountains since I was a little girl- and here I am.
I’m loving it here- I’ve been here 1 month and that means I am 1/12 of the way done with my contract- crazy. For some reason I feel like my Korean life might be more than a year long- who knows =)
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