It's official. I have been in Korea for five months now. Time has really flown by! I guess that is what happens when a person never stops working and traveling. Sometimes I wonder how much actual time I have spent on a train or bus since I got here! There really has been no time to stop and think or become bored. I can't think of a single moment in the last five months that I have thought "I'm bored. There is nothing to do," which has been incredible and exhausting at the same time.
Next week, I have a nine blissful days of vacation. I want to make the most of my free time, but I also want a chance to relax and re energize. At work today, my coworkers and I had to fill out a paper stating where we will be traveling during vacation, due to swine flu paranoia. The paper looked something like this:
Andrew: Malaysia
Daniel: Cambodia
Erik: Malaysia
Jennifer: Japan
Justin: Japan
Laura: My Apartment
Tom: Taiwan
Part of me is sad that I decided not to go anywhere, and the other part is thankful that I do not have to stress about packing and flying. I don't have to ability to pack lightly, and it takes a horse tranquilizer to get me on a plane!
Anyway, the next ten days will consist of lots of sleeping, reading, and checking out some local sites that I have been putting off. Anyone have cheap suggestions? My financial adviser, Jess, has me on a budget. Let's hope she does not find out that I took a cab to work this morning (fingers crossed).
The following is still on my to-do list...
Seoul palaces and temples tour of some sort
Jimjilbang
Han River Cruise
Seoul Forest
Suwon Wall
Yongin Folk Village
63 Building
Museum of Contemporary Art
National Museum
War Memorial
Update (two weeks later):
My vacation was great. I spent most of my time in Itaewon relaxing with friends. I did, however, manage to check a few things off my list.
1. Korean Folk Village:
I went to the folk village in Yongin-Si, and I have heard it is the best in the area. I definitely recommend it to anyone. Everything was very authentic, and I felt as if I had traveled back in time for a bit. It is also a popular filming location for historical Korean films and television dramas. There are signs throughout the village which mark certain movie/television scenes.
2. Korean Palaces:
I love history, and a Korean palace is an impressive piece of architecture, but I have realized that once you have seen one Korean palace, you basically get the gist. I have only seen a few, but they all look the same, and they are very barren because most of the artifacts are in museums. I think I would find them a bit more interesting if they palaces were set up as if they were frozen in time and people still lived there. But I still recommend seeing at least one palace. Anything 500 years old is always worth seeing.
3. Jimjilbang:
Jimjilbangs are the BANG! I enjoyed it so much I went twice during my vacation. As long as you are not modest is a very cheap and relaxing experience. I went to two different jimjilbangs in Seoul, the first in Gangnam and the second at the Hamilton Hotel. Both were nice, but I much preferred the one in Gangnam, which has become my favorite area in Korea.
The jimjilbang is a very interesting experience. Admittance is only 8,000 won (about $6.50), and it covers the use of all facilities. At both locations there were three hot tubs,green tea, ginger, and jasmine (I think...I am just going by the use of my sniffer.), a cold tub (like a swimming pool), various saunas and an ice room. I opted to pay an additional 20,000 won to have a woman scrub my entire, and I do mean ENTIRE, body. I swear I was ten shades lighter when she was done with me. Once again, I am happy that pale is beautiful in Korea!
For more info, check out the following sites:
wiki.galbijim.com/Jjimjilbang
www.dragonhillspa.co.kr
www.seoulstyle.com/art_naked.htm
I also spent lots of time reading Korea Unmasked by Won-bok Rhie. It has been very informative and comical, which helps keep my attention.
Until next time,
Ahn-yung-hee gay-sah-yo!!!!
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