Mom's Trip-Last Day

Today was the final full day of my mom's trip to Korea. So we went shopping!!! Myeongdong is known for great shopping. You can find almost anything here!!!

But when arrived we were hungry so we made a pit stop. This is a corndog with french fries on the outside. Mmmm
We also tried this egg bread. It is bread batter with an egg dropped inside.

See the egg?

Potatoes on a stick with cheese powder!

Then we headed over to Nanta. It is a very famous show about chefs that have a very full schedule. Mostly though, they just show off their chopping skills. They are also insanely funny and do a little magic!

At the door.

Then we headed over to the church. It is either the biggest or oldest Catholic church in Korea. I'm gonna go with oldest because I've been in a bigger one...

We decided to go inside. While we were trying to decided if we could take pictures a bride decided to walk down the aisle...

We headed over to a very famous noodle shop. The noodles (갈국수-kalkuksoo)are handmade and served in a delicious broth, beef flavored.

I ordered another soup (콩국수-kongkuksoo) with broth made of soy beans. I knew that I liked it, but I have weird taste so I didn't know my mom would like it too...

Sausages on a stick!

While we were looking for a place to rest before we headed to the tower we saw this, a man carrying too much stuff on his bike.

We were still looking for a cafe, when we saw the ad for a cat cafe. We think no...Maybe later though!

Honey bread. This is a big piece of bread that has all kinds of deliciousness going on. They call it honey bread because you should share it with your honey.

This is the part where we went to Seoul Tower. The pictures of the tower and the city didn't turn out all that well. But this picture is interesting. On the tower there is a fence (so people don't jump I guess) and couples have been putting locks on the fence and then throwing the keys over to signify that the lock (and thus their over) will be there forever. The wall of locks.

Lastly it was one of my friends birthdays so I took mom to one of the bars I go to most often and then a club that we generally go to. She had too much fun!

The next day the lovely twins took us too the airport and mom went home. Boo. The end.

Mom's Trip-Day 7

Today I didn't have to work so I filled the day with a sightseeing frenzy.

First we headed to an area filled with traditional sights to see and when we go there we were able to try on traditional court clothes of Korean kings and queens. 광화문 (Gwanghamun-one of the gates into the city.)

Then we headed over to the Museum that honors King Sejong. He was the man who created the writing of the Korean Language. After that we headed to the Olleh KT building where we can use some of the newest technology. The stairs are even exciting!

Then on our way to the stream we ran into a demonstration. The college students were protesting the rise in tuition.

When we got to the beginning of the stream there was a festival. There are festivals a lot of the time but today we got lucky. They were having a traditional Korean alcohol and food festival. We got some free samples and we even got some free bottles of Korean raspberry wine. After getting a little buzzed we started on stroll along the stream.

Along our way we saw some men washing the window.

After that we headed to another Korean Palace. There are a couple of Palaces in Seoul but this one has a "Secret Garden" which I thought mom would like. But we had to go on a tour and the lady was really boring so... After we left the palace we saw a cop on a Harley and so mom had to take a picture for my dad.Then we stopped to get a late lunch. This is called 한정식 (hanjungsik-which is basically a bowl of rice with some side dishes)Then we went shopping for some souvenirs. While we were there we watched some guys make a special Royal candy.

After that we ate dinner with the twins at a 떡볶이 restaurant (ddeokbokki-rice cake in a spicy sauce).

Then we walked around the area of 삼청동 (samcheongdong-an area that is famous for cafes and little boutiques).

We also made a quick trip out to 동대문(dongdaemun-the shopping mecca in Korea).

Mom's Trip-Day 6

Today we sort of took it easy. I had to work again so I couldn't spend all day with the mamma.

Mom started getting some presents together for people here in Korea and so she needed some wrapping supplies so she went to E-Mart (Wal-mart like...) all by herself. Then she came to school after lunch with her wrapped gifts. She read to my students and then waited until I got of work. Then we went to meet my 태권도 (taekwondo) master. After that we went to 분당(Bundang-the place that I used to live) and we had dinner with my old boss. This is 샤브샤브 (shabu shabu-hot pot. They give you a boiling pot of broth and you add vegetables and meat. Once it is cooked you pull it out and eat it.)After you finish the broth and veggies and meat they make you 죽(juk-porridge of rice and vegetables.) This picture also includes the sides that came with our meal.

After that we got some ice cream and went home.

Mom's Trip-Day 5

Today I had to work again so mom came to school in the morning and had lunch with me.

We went to a Japanese restaurant.

She had pork cutlet.

I had Soba noodles.

While I was at work she wondered across the street and did some shopping at a department store.

When I finally finished work we went to dinner and had 찜닭 (jjimdak-spicy, soy sauce marinaded chicken and noodles). Delicious!

After that we tried out screen golf. I beat her...all is fair.

Mom's Trip-Day 4

Today I had to work so we didn't do much. But mom did come to my school in the morning to meet some of my kids. After that she went home to rest. Later my boyfriend stopped by to take my mom to the mall. Coex mall is the biggest underground mall in the world. They didn't just go shopping they also went to a really neat aquarium. Pictures from said aquarium:

A harp with goldfish inside.

My boyfriend with his new girlfriend... A computer with "phishing" problems. Mom with her new school... My boyfriend after I caught him with new girlfriend.
Then after I finished work I went to meet them for dinner. Ty decided to take us to his favorite meat buffet. He is the man, he cooks the meat... The meat case where we can choose what and how much we want.
Some of what we chose. After that we headed to a nice neighbor for some cocktails. I had a blackberry dacquari and mom had a flower mojito. Both drinks were a very good end to the day!

Mom's Trip-Day 3

Today after walking around in Namdaemun Market we got hungry. So we stopped to eat 냉면 (nang myeon-cold noodles) and 비빔냉면 (cold spicy noodles).
After that we visited 63 Building. It is one of the tallest buildings in Seoul.

While we were there we got to meet the President and First lady. We also got to meet Tiger Woods.
After that we went to the top of the building to get a view of the city. Then we decided to board a ferry to get home.
I asked the captain if he could make the trip a little more special because my mom was visiting for the first time. He said he would turn on lights and a water show at a bridge for us to see. Then we got hungry again and ate 자짱면 (jajangmyeon-black sauce noodles),

깐풍기(gangpoonggi-spicy garlic chicken and rice),

and 탕수육 (tangsuyook-sweet and sour pork).