posted by Semis @ 2/28/2006
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While everyone was there seeing around, I thought there might be some other stupid things we can do for fun and memory. So, let’s have a short quiz for rewards. First question would be guess at what they are doing there? Please tune in “Semixhow” on time, and see who would be the lucky guy wins the kiss from Semix.
One the way to see the harbor, I saw this vender, and I thought it’s just like venders near beach in Japan. Reminds me of the summer, but it’s actually a bit cold with wind chill.
The time was about 11 o’clock, we arrived in Myeong Dong (明洞), and we met Sisi there. Not far away from the gate 10 of the subway station, there were gaggle of people gathering there. In addition, one guy tried to gather people to the sidewalk (the road is for pedestrian as well). Therefore, we were quite curious about what was going on out there. Surprisingly, the Korean series crews were making a film. Thanks to them, we had an different insight of how popular this place is.
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The Maronil Park in Tae Hon No(大學路) is a great place for people to watch the shows that students prepared or enjoy the atmosphere that surrounded this park. Also, here used to be part of the campus of Seoul National University.
At first, I thought the budget for one day 500NTD would be enough, but it was totally different as what I supposed. However, the restaurants we tried in Korea are really fancy. I would never regret that I had meal for that price, because they are too delicious!! This dish was fried chicken chops and vegetable with their own special hot spicy sauce. The taste is awesome! p.s. sorry for cutting Tintin.
On the way back to our dorm, we walked through the Chonggyechon. In fact, it could be really romantic to walk through this river (with soft light and white snow plus the weather made couples getting closer and one more thing the Valentine’s Day). Since there are some girls walk through, we played a joke on them to say “Anyeonghaseyo” to them. To our surprise, they gave us some response. It’s funny. Then when I was taking picture for myself, I thought all the others already left and moved on, they sneaked behind me. So surprised but fun
posted by Semis @ 2/26/2006
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What a nice weather. That was the first thought of me when we walk out of the Kyon Bok Kun (景福宮) and Tae was right there waiting for us. However, this picture doesn’t show what I saw actually, kind of dark. Before getting in, we took a short visit in the KBK museum. We saw plenty of traditional cultural items there.
These stone steles were set to stand for the officials’ position. The nearer the stele is, the higher position people belonged to. Yoshitake and I were trying to get the highest position, so we tried to run for the first position, but later Yoshitake changed his way to the stairs. When he did that, I had got what his trick for steal the throne, therefore I quit the game.
We can see the importance of the Party Hall (慶會樓) through the 10000 Korean Won Bill. If the tour guide didn’t say that, I might never find out. :p Between the building and me is a fosse, but now it was frozen to a layer of ice. Imagine if I walked upon it, the ice would definitely break, terrifying!
While the tour guide explained the construction, I thought Yoshitake might be a bit bored, so I was making fun of the way of his Ninja jump. It was just so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing.
Inside the KBK, there is a big square with some statues and other traditional toys. What they call十二生肖 is 十二支. Also, I realized that most east Asia countries have this kind of icons of calendar.
Since the time was not enough, we had our lunch at KFC, sorry for you guys. When we went out of the fast food shop, a procession dressed traditional suits walked through the street. That recalled me of my childhood that my father was a member of 宋江陣, I thought they were kind of similar.
For the traditional show, it was really fun to bargain and try to get the best seats for that price with the ticket-sellers. When we got in, there was still some time before it started. This woman stood in front of the entrance of the play hall is really elegant. Trust me, she is shining.
Not much time left, so we entered in for the performance. Because we couldn’t take a picture inside, we wanted to wait till the performance finished. The traditional show is really powerful, no matter which kind of instruments it is. Also the play shows strong beats in a kind of regular pattern. Among those performances, I like the 三面鼓 best. They were really skillful for hitting the drums with high accuracy. I enjoyed that performance very much.
On the way back, there was a vendor selling a kind of cake that smelled great. I thought I was kind of stupid since I think the price was too expensive, but after a while, “That cake smells good!"“Yeah, it does”“We might not have chance to have it in Taiwan.”“So…?”“Let’s go back buy it.” Finally, we shared with that happily. Please trust me, it smells really good, especially in cold winter.
After the performance, we walked back to KBK station, and we took a visit to 青瓦台 ( the residence of Korean president) Actually, it was dark, looked like only one small building there. Maybe we missed some part of it. Also, we guess there might be a secret headquarter underground.
Since during AEARU camp, we didn’t enjoy enough for the overlook from pretty high place. We came here for having some fun. Also, we wanted to turn back the time to August 16th 2005.
This picture will show you how excited we were there. From there, we could see almost all Seoul, and also the Han River. Seoul, what a prosperous city! I’m loving it. This view seems to say “Good-bye” to us. I will see you again, I promise.
posted by Semis @ 2/24/2006
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Latter, we had our lunch at Hyundai department stores. Bibinpa means the stirring rice. It was quite delicious and not that spicy as the tofu pot (super hot) Also, I thought the Korean food is really healthy to go with plenty of vegetables except having too much salt in there. In all, I am still fond of Korean food. I remember I said that I was used to the spicy food there to be a Korean. :p
After lunch, it’s time to go shopping, and when we were enjoying our 31 ice cream, Marie joined us. After that we gathered and head for Rod’s school, Yon Sei University (延世大學)
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Before meeting Sue, Rod told us that there is a place we must take a look. You might already guess it, the Yon Sei Concert Hall. According to Rod, a lot of popular concerts were held in here.
After that we decided to have dinner and the meal on my plan was to eat the “Mushroom Noodle” near Hongik Univ. However Rod found out there is a same restaurant in Sin Chon (新村) as well. Rod and Marie left us time to enjoy the reunion. Therefore, we went there with Jooeun and Sue. The noodle was famous for its spicy soup. It turned out that we ordered two pots of mild and one of normal pot. At first, I thought my throat would be tortured again, somehow it was totally out of my imagination. The spicy soup with a bit sour taste made it really appetizing.
Besides, they offered fried rice after we finished the noodle soup. With some celery, seaweed, carrot and eggs made the rice colorful and healthy. Wait, wait, there is one more stuff gave it a different way of taste- cheese. It was just like the pasta, “Chong Mal Ma Ji SoYo.”
The owner there is quite interesting. When he was stirring the rice, Chiao wanted to take a video of that, and he said “I am going to charge you money for that.” Of course it was just joking, and also his smile is great!
After meal, Dong Dong joined us. Sue suggested us that we must try Red ‘O’ Mango where had a lot of flavor combinations of yogurt ice cream. I had to say it’s pretty delicious. Taiwanese people can see how popular it is while you go to 五角冰舖.
Since that day was Friday, there was a special program call “Sound Park.” We could go to eight different bars to watch the Live Bands or Jazz shows. The stubs had to be fastened in our hands. So guys, you can claim your hands now.
After changing from one to another, we finally found Elvans (not sure) was milder and nice. We had some drink here and listen to the performance. Some of the songs were quite touching, I kind of wanted to ask him what songs he sang on the stage.
posted by Semis @ 2/22/2006
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posted by Semis @ 2/19/2006
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Maybe due to being to excited, I woke up at 8 o'clock in the morning, though I were deep in asleep at about 5:30 or so. On the way to the bus stop, I was actually nervous, since one friend, Jack is going to see us off. Also, to be the leader, being late is the last thing to do. Fortunately, I made it to be in time. Jack took a short film to say something to Korean Friends. Hmm, taking care of us and bring us back to Taiwan, something like this. When we got to the airport, we just couldn't find Vincent anywhere. Finally, my calls woke him up. You must see how terrified I was, our flight was at 12:50 and that guy woke up at 10:45. Another scaring start of the trip, but I love it. That kept me recalling what was happening during that trip.
Actually, Thai Airline is a good choice as well. The food and the service made me feel comfortable. Also, the airhostesses are pretty kind. So before taking Thai plane, I would suggest you not to have stereotype of Thailand people.
While I was on the flight, I didn't care about the view so much. However, when I got off the airplane. I was surprised by what I saw there. There is plenty of snow far from where I stood. With snow covering on the mountain, I thought that was some place in the movie.
The Incheon National Airport is quite a big airport. While we walked around, it took us a lot of time. Also, when Reach and I are looking for the Korean Travel Card (KTC), it turned out to be published in just one bank. So we delayed our time then.
We went out the airport to take the bus. The weather is not as cold as I imagined. In the matter of fact, I love it quite much. With the luck of new comer, we caught on the bus right away. We didn't sit together, and there is a teenager sat next to me, so I try to communicate with him and ask him which stop we should get off. Finally, I figured out he would get off one stop before us. Oh, that sounded great to me. What's more surprising was that as soon as we got off, Yoshitake dropped by. On the way back to Traveler's A where we stayed for 6 nights, it started to snow. That amazed me, simply because that was the first time for me to see it snows in person.
Nice melody went suddenly, and that was call from Marie. I called her and let her be in the hotel. We were shifting our luggage onto the floors but somehow I couldn't see her there. That time I thought there might be another hotel with the same name, but no, never, she is just right across the building I was. It is so great to meet her again, and she is still pretty! :p After setting up our luggages and room things, we just can't wait to try the authentic Korean food. We took a long walk to Insadon. We tried the Tofu Pot there. It was pretty spicy with no doubt, but the side dishes gave us the first sight of various kind of Kimchis. Including "Blur Kimchi" "Radish" blablabla, a lot.
There was one funny thing we happened to see that two cats fell down from stairs since they were fighting against each other. After felling down, they separated. Anxious atmosphere rounded and two cats stared at each other. The funniest part was that they stood still like the characters in the fighting video games. "Ready~~ Go!!" Korean cats are different. :0
One important thing to mention, there is an AEARU branch part. Let's see the picture. Cool, isn't it?
When we got back to hotel, we found out the most wonderful thing is that we can use the internet here in the social room. However, I am not that stable. I mean I just can't stay there without going out for a walk. So on that night, I ask my friends if they want some food for breakfast, since I wanted to go out taking a look. I was like a magnet that Vincent and Way went with us. The Cheonggyechon appealed me and then we walked down there for a visit. At that time, we would never know that this river would be the important pathway leaded us back to hotel.
One thing I had been dreaming for so long was to put my name onto snow. Oh, maybe if my girlfriend did that with me would be more romantic, kidding. The snow was freezing and when I touched. It was so much fun. Oh, one more thing, if you want to ask me, why not Semis, Semix instead, forget about it.
Finally, we made it to a convenient shop. It was new to me, a lot of different things from Taiwan. After I came back, I found that it's a pity that not buying a Lotto.
After buying all the stuffs, we headed back to hotel, and I found that there was still market out there on the street. Therefore, I made a presumption that Korea don't sleep. The picture below was taken on 3:10 a.m.
It was a great beginning for me. Hope you guys feel in the same way.
posted by Semis @ 2/17/2006
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Hey guys. How's everything going so far? Maybe you wanna ask the same question to me. Check this out!
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