As I look back now, having made it back home, I think it was good for me to have traveled before coming home. It served as a good buffer and absorbed some of the reverse culture shock that I might have faced. I will admit that I was a bit nervous the last day or two on the boat before making it home. Anyway, in pictures, my final days in Korea before my boat trip. Stay tuned for that blog update.
Meet:
My grandfather's sister
Dennis and Seulki
Me with Taemin and Chris
Eat:
Chicken Galbi
Dog Stew
Look at the calendar they had at the place serving dog stew
Upon leaving Incheon airport in Seoul,
I met with Chris and went into the city. Of course the first thing we
did was to eat some Korean BBQ.
We then went to his church, New
Philadelphia. All I can say is wow. This church is on fire for Jesus!
I'd felt this draw to come to Korea, expecting some spiritual
encounter and I think I found it. This is a church full of true
worshipers in spirit and truth. Check out their website and listen to the sermons.
Right after church we went to the 찜질방 (jjimjilbang), which is the Korean sauna. If you've never been, go! Find a city with a Korean population and go. I have yet to go to a true Finnish sauna but
nothing beats a Korean jjimjilbang in my experience. In the mean time,
this article is the next best thing.
Chris's roommate Danny had some friends
visiting from YWAM. We went to get some amazing fusion restaurant in Gangnam called Mies. The place had an industrial theme with steel beams and heavy hook lifts hanging from them. The walls had all kinds of canned foods from different places. When you order your food, they give you a construction hat with a number on it to indicate which order is yours.
Yup. I was at 강남 (Gangnam)
Close-up of the metro station sign
Wearing the construction hat at Mies
The other day Chris and I walked around
Myung-dong. With bubble tea in hand we explored and came across a
performance of Maori tribesmen from New Zealand. They were performing
their native songs as well as a selection of Korean songs, including Arirang and Gangnam style. The harmonies were pretty amazing to hear. Afterwards
we took some photos and one of the guys taught me how to do a haka.
And of course, food. I know it's a
cliche to post photos of what you ate, but I think I earned this
after being in Europe for 2.5 years. They simply don't have flavors
as in the east.
1,500 Won for Kimbap. Yes, Please!
Kyochon Chicken - Korean fried chicken perfection
All this time I thought Ramen was instant noodles. Boy was I wrong!
Sannakji - wriggling, freshly cut octopus legs. You can feel the little suckers inside your mouth as you chew.
Live octopuses in the tank
This is Gaebul. Usually it is supposed to be wriggling when they bring it out but I guess they cut it wrong at this place. Despite its phallic appearance when still alive, it is very good. This is certainly one of the most unusual dishes in Korean cuisine.
