VACAYS! (...because we're from Cali) PART 2

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Seoul!

The next long break we had was for Chuseok (추석), which is the Korean version of Thanksgiving. It's a long break, made longer by a new mandate that public workers get an extra day off during the week if a holiday falls on a weekend (woohoo!).

Chuseok is also usually a time when Koreans go home (ie: leave Seoul and go to back to their parents in other provinces) so we decided to take the opportunity to hang out in a slower, less-packed Seoul.

Kristen had never been to the capital city of South Korea so we decided to make a bigger trip out of it and see some of the sights within and without the city. Our first stop was...SUBWAY!!! (the food)

NOM NOM NOM

Our hotel (Beautiful!):

Exploring Itaewon

The first night we arrived in Seoul, after a long bus ride from Gwangju, we saw some friends who were coincidentally on the SAME SUBWAY as we were taking to Itaewon!!! In all of SEOUL, that must never happen. But to Itaewon, a popular hangout with tons of Western food and pubs and hotels, it is a bit easier to understand. But in any case, we then found our hotel and decided to explore around for a drink.

We met up with James and Mandy (some of our Scottish faves) at the most awesome lil' pub...

Yep, the bar was Sherlock-themed; all day, all night!!!!

It was pretty appropriate that they found this SUPER British spot that we all loved, because just before, we were enjoying a SUPER American spot-Subway (the food)!!!

We also had a great time the next night hanging out with some of our teacher friends (who live in Yeosu, a city just an hour bus-ride away from ours). A few of them have blogs, so you can check out the Hedgers at:

http://hedgersabroad.wordpress.com/

We all went to a wine bar...

National Museum of Korea

The next day, after getting Subway (the food) again, we went to the massive(-ly informative) Museum of Korea. We had a great time listening to the audio tour and exploring the exhibits on Korea's long and storied history.

Lots of cool artifacts from all over Korea as well as Asia!

  

"baaaaaaaby Budah!"

Namsan Tower

After that, we tried to make it Namsan Tower, but it was unexpectedly PACKED!

SO we went out for Mexican food instead. :D

Chuseok (추석) Day

On the actual Chuseok Day, we were up early to catch our morning Subway (the food) before heading out via the subway (the transit) to Everland, an amusement park in a distant suburb of Seoul. We weren't the only ones with the idea so we were a bit cramped for a while, but once we got to the park we were just blown away.

We found this stroller to be a bit lonesome for some reason?

Even though there were only three roller coasters at the park, one of them was HUGE and SCARY!!! We unfortunately didn't get to ride it because the lines were outrageously long. So we just took a shot with us and our scary ride faces:

"Silly hats are fun...?"

Beautiful rose gardens...

AMAZING (and maybe a bit tiring...:)

Afterwards, we headed back to Itaewon, where we were staying, for some excellent Turkish food INCLUDING KEBABS! It was our last night in the city, but it ended very quietly. We had a cider or two at the Sherlock-themed bar and tucked in for the night.

Namsan Tower (for real this time)

Our last day, we got up early for our Subway (the food) and then headed on the subway (the transit) to Namsan Tower for a second try at taking the cable-car up and seeing the city from the famous landmark. We lucked out this time and got up to the top with ease!

We saw a changing of the guard atop the fortress.

  

The plaza was PACKED! There was a little boy Kristen was in love with who was chasing birds like it was going out of style. We also had a really awkward man just come up and take a picture with us while we were sitting and eating. It was very strange.

Some games!

Just a little hacky-sack!

The elevator up to the top of the tower has a cool little animation that shows you leaving the planet and going out into space. Luckily, it was just to the top of the tower.

A little postbox for mailing postcards. Our postcards! (You can tell which ones I wrote...)

After that, we rushed back on the subway (the transit) to the bus terminal to catch our bus back to Gwangju. It was lovely end to the trip, as we had some sushi and then a bit o' (Christmas!!!) shopping before heading back home to Jangheung.

A great few trips we have had thus far. Can't wait for what other adventures lie ahead...

- E