The Seoul Blog - My Apartment...Again



The gas is finally on in my apartment! I took a nice long hot shower after work. I also took a few more pics, for your viewing pleasure.



Here's the entrance. Note the space between the doors, a thoughtful design that allows for insects of every kind to seek shelter in the hallways.



OK, here it is - the view from the kitchen window. Wow, look through the security bars at the nice buildings. A perfect view!



Now here's the view outside the wall of my room on the backside of the building. Phew! Sure glad I don't have to look at this peaceful and pretty landscape all day. Thank you Korean construction design team!



Another shot out back: some kind of wild yellow flowers. Sure are pretty aren't they? Oh well, who wants to look at pretty flowers anyway?

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Chinese Bokum Bap




Check out this Korean Chinese food known as Bokum Bap (fried rice). Chinese food in Korea is completely different than American Chinese food, leaving me to wonder what exactly Chinese food is really like in China. Anyway, I ordered this on the phone for lunch. One of my favorite parts about Korea is ordering food. They deliver it ultra quick by scooter. The food is piping hot on real dishes wrapped in shrinkwrap. They even deliver the utenisils! After you finish eating, you put all the dishes and garbage outside your door, and they actually come back and pick them up. Another perk is Koreans don't tip and the tax is included. This huge meal cost me only 3,500 Won, or about $3.00. There's a lot of rice there once you spread it out. Then you can add that tasty black sauce to it and mix it all together. Mouth watering delight!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Pizza Good




Check out this pizza shop's name near my home. "Rarrr! Pizza good! Pizza yummy! Pizza feel good in me tummy."

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Dwaeji Galbi



After work I wandered around my country town, hungry, not the faintest idea what to have for dinner. I walked up and down the short main street several times. There's not a big selection and nothing seemed to call out to me. I must have looked like a real nut, the country town foreigner walking up and down the road over and over and carrying his camera. It's particularly difficult in a small town when you're going to eat by yourself. Everyone stares at you when you walk in somewhere, and the restaurant owners and ajumas are very aggressive trying to help you. It's a little intimidating. Tonight I walked by this restaurant 3 times when finally the ajushi came out and ushered me inside. The place had just a few customers, so I decided to have Dwaeji Galbi, Korean style pork sauteed and barbecued.


Here it is, Dwaeji Galbi, one of my many favorite Korean foods. Look all those side dishes only for me. Actually, being alone may be why the portions were so small. I had to ask for more kimchi twice! Also, they didn't provide me any free service dwen jang chigae (bean paste tofu soup) that they usually do at
at other restaurants. And where's that other kind of delicious dipping sauce they usually give you? No wonder the place was empty.



Another shot of the grill: meat, mushrooms, garlic, kimchi all sizzling, the mouth-watering aroma, the drool pouring down my chin. I can hardly wait to dig in, to roll up the pieces in a huge lettuce leaf, to add some sauce, to chomp! chomp! chomp!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - My New Apartment



Here at last are a few pics of my new studio apartment. It's very clean and I'm the first tenant, but the construction is a little shabby. There's a few chunks of glue on the floor, the sliding doors to the kitchen have smears and smudges that won't come off, light switch casings are crooked, etc etc...typical of Korea, slap it together and let the tenants move in without cleaning it up or without the gas even being hooked up. I shouldn't complain though - compared to my last apartment in Korea this place is wonderful.



The new pad! Yes, it's small, but cozy and clean, and it's all mine! Note my manly pink blankets with post-modern flowery design - thanks boss! Also note the absence of a window in the main part of the apartment. The only window is in the kitchen, and overlooks the buildings next door. Meanwhile, outside the wall to the left in this photo is a nice hill, some trees and a rice field. No sense of putting a window on that side, of course.



The kitchen is well, very small. There's barely room to walk, especially if you close the sliding doors. At least the doors keep the cooking smell out of the apartment. The stove is brand new though. But when will the gas be turned on?



My wonderful bathroom. The shower is connected to the faucet. The pressure is good, but there's no gas yet, which means no hot water. The water is ice cold for now.



My Samsung washer machine. This little thing works great and is pretty quiet. It's in the kitchen next to the mini-fridge and sink.



Another shot of the apartment. What's on TV today? Ah yes, another exciting Korean drama. There's my clothes, still hanging wet after 3 days. Will this rain and humidity ever cease? Won't be much longer until the mosquitos take control.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - The Guesthouse Korea in Hongdae



I was going to update my site with pictures of my new apartment, when I found these pics I took one day at the Guesthouse Korea in Hongdae. I stayed there for about a month while I was looking for work. It's not a bad place to stay if you need a place to crash cheaply. It's also a good place to meet other travelers. If you sleep in the dormitory rooms, it's only 15,000 or about $12 per night. They also have double and single rooms, fairly priced. The only problem is the other guests, specifically one in particular, don't always live by the rules and clean up after themselves. Let's take a look at the situation:


This stunning photo of Mark's feet reveals the dirt caked on by walking around the guest house barefooted. Why are the floors so dirty? Hey take off your shoes.



Another shocking photo - this time of a sink full of dirty dishes. Hey who left this awful mess here?



Look at this table! If you don't put the bread away, it will get stale...



I want to cook some eggs for breakfast, but look at the frying pan and stove! Disgusting! Can't anybody clean-up after themselves?



Here is Su Chang, the hard-working Night Manager, having a break after cleaning up that mess left by the guests. Thanks Su Chang!

written by shawn matthews    -|link