Cam in Korea

Whitenoize End of Summer Party

2010-08-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Another Whitenoize event is here and there are only a few days until the Summer holidays finish and everyone is back in work mode. Sarah is also leaving to head back to the US, so i couldn't miss it.

I met back up with the guys who were visiting form the US and we headed to club Answer in Cheongdam. By the time we arrived, things were already kicking off, so we decided to get a table upstairs in the VIP lounge... in Korea it never takes long to attract a few gold diggers, so a few of them arrived and we just chilled.

As the party started to heat up, we were joind by my friends and a few relatives. Three bottles of Absolut later, we were all going crazy, dancing on the sofas and tables.... it was insane! I ended up crawling out of there around 4:30am with a few friends.

Grey Goose Launch Party

2010-08-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

The french vodka company were putting on a small event to promote themselves amongst koreans (most koreans don't drink vodka much and prefer whisky). It was held at a pop up store, Urban Lounge in Garosu-gil, Sinsa.

Garosu-gil is known as the Paris of Seoul.... it is a long road lined with trees and fashionable boutique stores, cafes and restaurants. The road is lined with luxury cars and if you are not looking very stylish, you would stand out.... a lot! To foreigners, it is alo known as Green Street (not many streets in Seoul have as many trees). This street seperates, Apgujeong and Cheongdam - the other two most classy, fashionable and expensive areas (Sinsa is the third) in Korea.

Needles to say, all cocktails and shots created with Grey Goose were free. I recently spoke to a couple of designers form the US on Couchsurfing, as they were looking for people to hang out with and just by chance they were there... so we had a great conversation and decided to meet up later in the night as i was heading off to Sarah's (my california girl from the Whitenoize parties) event at club Answer.

Korean friends from England

2010-08-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

In Korea, people value their weekend much more simply because of the conservative approach to weekday socialising, so this Sunday I decided to meet up with my friends from school. We just walked around Gangnam, had a few drinks and something to eat. Then off to a norebang! (singing room) Nice catching up with everyone.

Relatives

2010-08-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Went out to meet some korean relatives for drinks... nothing special happened, but we always make each other laugh.

Thursday Afterwork Party

2010-07-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

Its that time of month again, when i head out to the Thursday social event 'Afterworks Party'. I met up with Jade and Co. This was my first time being introduced to Paula, a sweet girl from Sweden... we'll be hanging out again im sure.

Absolut Cheers Party

2010-07-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

I received a call from Jade last telling me about this event at club Heaven. It was a decent night with free drinks all night. The music was pretty good too but the event closed at 1am... but then again, this is Korea and partying on a Thursday night is not very common.

Back to LUV...

2010-06-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

So by now i have become a regular at LUV lounge in Itchywon (Itaewon). I have become well established with the owner, David and often bottle service... my partner in crime is Eric, me and Eric work together and he is happily married. But he lives in the area which means he is often out getting wasted.

On this particular night, we met Adrian, a really cool guy. Most people who know me, know that most of my friends a female, so since coming to Korea, iv been trying to make some some good male friends.... but to be fair-most of them i meet are complete dicks. Anyway, Adrian introduced me to Nara.... a smart, funny and sassy girl from Canada. I like Nara, but something disturbs me about this girl, hehe! (sorry Nara, i dont know what it is though!).

World Cup 2010: South Africa!

2010-06-26T00:24:00.000-07:00

The games for the world cup were showing at 3 times of the day: 8:30pm, 11pm & 3am! So many places were open 24hrs.... Platoon was one of these places and because they have large screens and a comfortable surroundings to sit down in, i watched the Korea games here.

I must admit, that although football is popular here... the supporters dont have the same passion and energy as back in England and i really missed being in a bar/pub back home (my last time was the champions league in a pub in Chelsea >_<)

Most of the games i watched at home though, otherwise getting up for work would be a bitch (to my korean readers... this means not good).

Melange Private Afterparty @ Hotel Gossip

2010-06-24T00:21:00.000-07:00

Title says it all really... a new artist performing at a private event in Cheongdam. Met up with a friend there, it was a nice crowd (as expected in this area/location).

2010-06-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

Matheus is leaving Korea next week so the family went out to support him for his last DJ set in Seoul. It was at LUV Superlounge - this place opened last month so is fairly clean and fresh in terms of demographic... this is a big deal for me as i avoid Itaewon and this place has given me reason to be in this area... i have a feeling a few decent places will start popping up, splitting the area in 2... leaving old Itaewon to the less sophsticated socialite. We shall see.

Adventures in Sky Park

2010-06-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

A few posts back you will recall i spent one afternoon consuming beer on a rooftop. Well that afternoon was the day this random girl came up to me and smiled... gave me her number and told me she wanted to meet up. A week later we went for dinner and got on really well. 2 days after going for dinner we went to the movies. The day after, she bought me a $100 hat (hers only cost $70, ha!).... the thing is, she is so sweet and innocent she was just like a little sister and she made me laugh a lot. So no... nothing happened if you were wondering!

Anyway, we finally went for a picnic and spent the day at Sky Park walking around and enjoying the scenery. A lot of fun - i would defo take a date to this place... but cant see that happening anytime soon! (i'll say why in a later post)

My secrets: Part 1

2010-06-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a series in my blog where i will post random images of things i have found online or created myself in order to reflect some of the crazy stuff that has passed through my mind or simply because i find it interesting-its visual emotional rollercoaster... make of it what you will for i am a pretty abnormal human being.

The Day We Became a Family

2010-05-22T23:55:00.000-07:00

Today i took Ahyun (the girl i met a few posts ago at the Afterwork Party) to a rooftop BBQ at Platoon Kunsthalle, in Apgujeong/Sinsa. Platoon originates from Berlin and is a platform for creative people to meet and socialise. It is made of 36 ship containers and has 4 floors, NIKE room, 2 bars, dancfloor/club space and studios which are rented out to anyone in the creative industry for FREE. This is my favorite place to network in Seoul by a long way. Artists, musicians, journalists, actresses, designers, architects.... this place is a hub for creative social activities! Fun times are ALWAYS had here, You can hold exhibitions here or attend the monthly night time flee markets.

On this particular visit, i met up with several people i knew via Facebook but never actually met (yes this happens). Then i met the DJ, a Swedish guy called Matheus, several Parisians (no not Persians - people from Paris, silly!) studying for a semester in Seoul, an american and a few koreans. In total around 15 of us instantly 'clicked'.

The event was from 2-9pm, so around 5pm, Kiara (one of 2 korean girls-the other is Amy) decided we all go eat in Gangnam, drink at a lounge and head to club EDEN for a crazy night out..... and that we did!

Quiet night in with friends

2010-05-15T23:35:00.000-07:00

A few of us decided to have a chilled drinking session at one of our friends apartments. Good times.

Too much champagne is bad for the brain

2010-05-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

I was chilling at home and my friend Jade told me about a party in Sinsa, for the launch of a fashion label... i ended up calling my friend Cat - Cat is a gyopo (a korean american, who for some reason are usually form California). Anyway, she had a friend visiting form the US so we all met up in Apgujeong and headed over to the party.

The party was okay but we only stayed an hour then decided to head to ARK lounge in Cheongdam. We ended up in one of the VIP rooms, drinking way too much champagne.... goodnight world!

4th World DJ Festival

2010-05-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

I ended up going at the last minute to this annual event, which itself is not worth the $50 entrance fee ($1 = 1000KRW so i'll just use $'s in my blog from here on out).

Anyway, i had fun - met up with my friend Eva (she is a DJ in Seoul) and as the day went on, i hung out with Jessica and Casey.... and a bunch of randoms in between.

This event was from 2pm Saturday until 6am Sunday so i cam prepared with layers and picnic blanket for us all to sit/sleep on!

A Day of Prayer and Beer

2010-05-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Today, I had a business trip and ended up going to a temple to learn about buddhism... it was actually quite interesting - i made a prayer bracelet from mala beads, did a few rituals and learnt how to make and serve traditional korean tea.

During lunch a fewof us decided to skip the afternoon session and head out in the area (we were in Insadong) for a few beers on a rooftop and enjoy some sun.

First Thursdays Afterwork Party - May

2010-05-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

On the first Thursday of every month, a champagne infested party is hosted in Apgujeong or Cheungdam for those who, like myself, enjoy networking with a more sophisticated crowd. Beautiful people, great music and comfortable venues...good times. These events are invitation only and the organisers have an online screening process, which keeps these parties fairly exclusive.

Having fun with my friend Jaehwa Kim (holding drink) and her fellow korean drama actresses.

Awesomely chilled house beats

My lovelies H.Kim and Eva (right)

Making Russian friends

Victor and his russian friends

I ended up going to another party with my new friend Victor, he speak fluent Russian as he's lived in Moscow for a decade-in the oil business! Let me put it this way, he was back in town for the month and had his RR Phantom flown over....and it was niiiiiiiiiice.

We ended up at JJ's (inside the Hyatt Hotel) where we spent the next 4hrs on the dancefloor with more champagne. I was approached by a cute girl who ended up spending most of the night with, she was fun but I wasn't interested in her so turned down a dinner date.... then as i left her friend mentioned she was famous (but i wouldn't know a famous korean person so it didnt matter, but on seeing these blurred pics, i got a big response from my korean friends)

Former KBS anchorwoman and announcer, Sohn Mi Na.

More socialising...

2010-05-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is actually are bar at night, OI (pronounced oh-eye) is like an Alice in Wonderland type of place hidden form the main streets of Hondae... u have to take your shoes off on entering into these cave like seating areas... can be a nice place to chill pre clubbing but the cowd seemed to be a little strange.. or just not my kind of ppl.

Cat, is a girl i met in Butterfingers - ordering my food, she looks, i look, she asks if im alone, i say yes, she asks me to join her ..boom! Thats usually how i randomely meet ppl. For some reason Butterfingers is attended by 99% cute korean girls... the weekends, a few foreigners hang there, and the odd guy dragged there by his gf. Not sure why its only hot girls in this place... the food is great! Anyway, met up with Catherine for coffee with her other random friend.

At my favorite cafe in Gangnam - Baek 100

Then there's Aboli... this is the most random girl iv met, she is from India and we hung out and went for dinner etc... fun times were had. Oh and if ur thinking "she doesn't look Indian" take a trip to north India sometime.

On the way home im sitting on the subway with a girl standing opposite, keeps looking over... im surrounded by koreans who notice this but its normal for koreans to watch my every move... so the girl gives me a flirty smile... i hold my hand out, she drops her cell phone in my palm, i key in my number and hand it back.... she sends me a txt saying "hi this is the girl in front of you, my name is ***** , what are you doing now? wanna grab some coffee? So we got off t the next station and had drinks... everyone who saw this was pretty shocked at the smooth transition of making new contacts. Anyway, im random like that... and most koreans dont know how to deal with my random approach. It makes for funny situations. I recall the other week i saw a couple on the subway.. the girl asks about my life (where im from, job etc), but a little flirty so i ask them "are u guys a couple?" and at the same time he says "yes" and she says "no! he just wsnts to be but he is only friend", haaaaaaaaaaa! I love Korea!

Pancakes.... again!

2010-05-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

I met up with a few friends who were visiting Seoul for the day. They live in city of Incheon, which is about an hour away.

I met up with Adidas and Isobel in gangnam, I met Isobel the night of the fashion show with Anja - it was 6am, we were getting food and she looked mega cute... and she asked to hang out, so we did. Took them to Butterfingers (I havent metioned this place much but its an american breakfast diner open 7am-3am and takes my money at least once every week... western food is not cheap in orea, but im addicted to their pancakes and $10 shakes, mmmm)

Isobel

Adidas (yes that is her english name)

Took the subway today (i rarely use it as taxis are pretty cheap in Korea)

Whitenoize 1st Birthday

2010-05-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Sarah is a California girl, who spent time studying in London. She spends some of her time in Seoul hosting some crazy parties and this was one of them.

I ended up going with Kelly, a korean girl who spent her high school years in Atlanta - i think its fair to say, she was influenced a lot by the black culture whilst there and she is actually one of the most open and funny koreans iv met here... we met through Couchsurfing (Seoul CS'ers tend to arrange activities each month, moveis, festivals, hiking, dnner etc).

Fellow CSer Kelly

The Whitenoize party took place at Club Answer also known as Le Nuit Blanche (was the new name, then was changed back to Answer recently to save confusion, although both names are on the building entrance, so... double confusion).

Jennifer comes to visit

2010-04-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Jennifer is still in London doing another Masters degree and had a 3 week project in China, so she came by Korea to see me a week in advance (yey!). She took me to a nice seafood restaurant and we hit a club.

Club Answer is in Cheongdam. At this point I should metion the 3 main areas for the fashionable trendy folk hang out are Apgujeong, Gangnam & Cheongdam (also full of many weekend millionaires but mostly ppl who try too hard to be cool, which in turn is not only plastic.. but very funny to see)... so why do I go here? Well the venues are really nice and clean, there is always room to mingle and dance, the people are good looking and because the prices are pretty high for by Korean standards, it keeps the 'shit' away. The downside is many people stand around clapping their hands for 4hrs whilst standing around commenting on everyone else. But hey, my feet don't stick to the floor, the bathrooms are clean and my drinks are well made.

So Happy in Paris? Michaël Canitrot @ Club ANSWER, Cheongdam.

Socialising has been somewhat of a dilemma for me in Korea. Before I came here, most of my friends I spent time with in England were korean and most of my friends here are korean. But 99% of them are still fairly conservative compared to westerners, which means although they like to go out and party until 6am... they are not able to carry the same crazy energy im used to experiencing back in Europe.

To solve this problem, I can head out with my american friends, who really do know the difference between simply jumping up and down, screaming until the early hours and ACTUALLY bringing their own personal energy out with them. To do this I would generally have to go to Hongdae though. Hongdae hosts the biggest and best design school in Korea (i teach some of the students there) so they are usually not living at home and can be pretty rowdy/crazy... so they have a lot more to offer in terms of energy than the more trendy parts of town. I used to go to Hongdae a lot when I first came here because there were many foreigners there and was just easier... and if u want to get wasted for little money, its the best place to be (although there are some very nice, but hidden bars, cafes & eateries). Problem with Hongdae is:

a) its full of students

b) its pretty cheap (quality), no room to dance, toilets are diguisting, feet stick to floor, sweaty beyond belief by just standing there.

So then why don't I just go to these trendy/cool places with my foreign friends?

Well, quite simply, they refuse to pay $30 to get into a club.... or $15 for a drink. I don't earn a lot of money in korea by any stretch but most of my foreign friends clear $2000 minimum each month, living in korea is not expensive.... thus i spend it all on partying and travel!

So Happy in Paris? Michaël Canitrot @ Club ANSWER, Cheongdam.

I tend to roam around wherever I please in Seoul as im often mistaken as someone famous.

CS'ers in Seoul

2010-04-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

Many of you may not know, but I do a fair amount of 'couchsurfing', which is either hosting a stranger who is visiting Seoul or when I travel I could also search for a couch (i only host atm), so far iv'e hosted 2 couples from the US, a girl from Egypt and a guy from Japan. Dave is from Jamaica and teaches in Japan so i didnt want to pass up the chance of uniting with a fellow Jamaican (and for my Seoulites who are still confused-my parents are from the Caribbean... not Africa).

Dave also met another CSer, Julia lives in Korea... she is half Korean, half Japanese.... but doesn't use her japanese in Korea (for obvious reasons) and her attitude is very free and very refreshing, which stands out from the conservative nature of the average korean girl (more about that later!).

We went for dinner and coffee in Gangnam (one of my 3 favorite areas in Seoul). There aren't many foreigners here (except the main street), so it still feels authetic but in a modern and fashionable way.

Seoul Fashion Week A/W 2011

2010-03-26T03:56:00.000-07:00

I decided to take Anja to fashion week, nothing too special on show but we had a nice time.

Old students, new friends...

2010-03-13T03:06:00.000-08:00

Some of my design students tend to catch me out and about in Seoul... its a pretty difficult place for a tall black guy with dreads, to hide.

Having lunch with my 2nd year university students

...another of my design undergraduates

The new semester has begun and i met several new arrivals to Seoul. We met at one of the 'meetups' - there are tons of activities and dinners for Seoulites to hang out and make new contacts. Its usually 60/30 of foreigners and koreans. 60 people turned out for a meal at the China Factory in Hyewa. Good times.

I became close with Anja, a korean from Denmark

Casey and Lydia

Fast forward to 5am.. the infamous cafe where people come to sleep before the subway opens... which is 5am in case you were wondering.

Bangkok & Koh Samui... in style!

2010-02-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

Winter vacation in Korea is loooong! My bro's went back to England on the 13th Feb, so i decided to head to Thailand via Taiwan for 10 days. I dont like all that back-packing stuff... well the adventure is nice... but why live like a porper? in Thailand? Id rather have cosy bed, with an awesome view and see the best of the place. So here goes...!

Aiport, Taiwan.

My friend Jack... we did the same Masters degree in England

Jack and his lady

Grand Palace-each gold block costs $1!

Sky bar @ Lebua Tower.

Mojito- my favorite!

I love how in Korea and Thailand and most of SE Asia, drivers are crazy yet helmets and seatbelts are rarely used.

High school girls

Siam Square

Khaosan Road (where all the backpackers chill)

Pink taxi's everywhere

Can barely see the entrance of KFC

Jack took me and Lindsay to a cool design museum

Waiting for the boat to Koh Samui-6am.

Chilling in Koh Samui

Villa on the beach

Playing on the beach at night

Back in Bangkok... stayed at the Millennium Hilton

Went out partying in RCA

Final day in Thailand

Khaosan Road

Random journey on a taxi bike

The funniest things

Yez & Shaka come to Korea...

2010-02-13T01:15:00.000-08:00

Winter vacation runs from December 20th to March 2nd, so decided it would be a good opportunity for my bro's to get a taste of south east Asia. Dad picked them up from the airport, then mum and dad took us to the Lexington Hotel for a very posh meal..... hassaaaaa! ('hassa'means 'awesome' in korean btw).

Me, mum & Shaka

As it was a Friday night, I took them to Hongdae, needless to say, they had a lot of fun, got very drunk and we stayed out until around 6am (quite normal for me actually-most clubs/bars close between 6-8am). We met up with some of my western friends in bar Zen, then randomly met some korean ones in Tinpan 3 along with many randoms (its pretty obvious who they were). Disco.

Jules, Sydney & Shaka

Shaka & Kathy

Randomly met Young Mi & Co.

Yez

Me & Young Mi getting wasted

Randoms @ 6am

Randoms in Coffee Bean b4 hitting the clubs

Yez

UK skankin'

Shaka claiming another victim for the night...

The best thing about korean clubs is that due to the non-existent crime rate, they let you wear anything but shorts... tracksuit... hoodie.. hats ANYTHING!

Took them to Itaewon - i hate this place but had to show them. Itaewon after 8pm is like a nightmare from Full Metal Jacket, with american GIs the size of oxen roaming the streets in herds, laughing rambunctiously as they rudely call out to Korean girls....oozing with confidence to the fact that they have been trained to kill people. Hooker Hill - no thanks!

Random club

Dancing on tables in Tinpan 1

Jiyeon & her sis

My local Dunkin' Donuts

I took them to Lotte World (worlds largest indoor theme park) with Lindsay, as its open until 11pm. But not before we went shooting, we all rented Glock-17's and took to the range... adrenaline fest!

Glock 17. - 81%

I took them to school to meet my students as i had a few random lessons to do, climbed a mountain, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Yongsan, more clubs and all in the freezing weather! Was a fun 10days and was defo nice to have them around.

Gyeongongbuk Palace

Random Thai Girls

Heading back to England

Social outings with old friends and new.

2010-02-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, its been a while since iv had the time to update my blog.....ok so thats not true, iv just been lazy! So winter is taking longer to pass than usual and iv been doing winter camps... but iv also had a chance to meet new people and catch up with old friends too. My first outing in Itaewon...it was quite bareable due to the occasion and location

'Grown n Sexy' party

My friend Lindsay likes to thinks she can play the guitar, although it appears to be more useful as a roadside resting post.

Lindsay in the street

I think she enjoys the roadside...

I managed to catch up with the girls from school (they all came to the UK for university). We all met up in Gangnam for dinner and drinks... needless to say but it was fun.

Youngmi & Isis

Soyoung, Seungji, Yejin, Teayoun, Youngmi, Isis & Semin

Graduation

2010-02-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

My 3rd graders have graduated and are off to a more intense life of studying... a quick ceremony with parents/teachers to wish them luck.

Snowstorm in Seoul!

2010-01-04T06:54:00.001-08:00

In the news this week there were articles about how Beijing was on lock-down due to the stupid amounts of snow.....but they failed to mention Seoul-it's only an hour away!

So we now have a -17C snowstorm on our hands-11 inches of snow, the most in Korea for over 70 years! I woke up this morning (6am) for work as usual, but every bus or taxi that came by, refused to take me because it was too dangerous (my workplace is halfway down a mountain!) so I got a call saying that iI didnt need to come in, at which point I began to laugh at the misfortune of those that were stood frozen at the bus stop who DID have to go to work.

I find it funny how the girls still wear high heels and skirts...but most of them are too vein to care about the weather.

On my way back home (5mins up the road), i helped several cars get unstuck (had to drive a few of them owned by women, who seemed to just panic after getting stuck). But I also noticed ANYONE who didn't have to go to work (mostly elderly) were out clearing the heavy snow to help others have a safe journey on foot or by car-i felt a great sense of community. I went home, got changed and spent he next 7 hours shoveling snow, clearing cars and picking people up off the ground.... people were obviously shocked to see this foreign black guy helping so much so if i cleared a cafe (so customers could actually get in) they gave me drinks and passers by gave me fruit....it felt so good to help! It was strange!

Now my body is aching but i dont care...today I became a real part of the community!

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

Not much that I need to say really....we partied hard, got stupidly drunk at a friends bar in Hyehwa, then to Hongdae (yey!) ....got in just before 9am to see the new year kick off back home (UK). A good time was had by all!

Su Jung

Su Jung, My new Scottish friend Ross & bar owner Mario

Trisha & Su Jung

Happy New Year everyone!

This guy has the coolest piercing ever! and we all like hats!

Gaby and Mary.

Hana & Mario

Su Jung & Zach

Su Jung the Poser!

Mario, Su Jung & Gaby

Gabriella Turns 31!

2009-12-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Tonight a small group of us met up in Sinchon to celebrate Gaby getting old, haha! Pizza, beers and darts-kept it nice and simple as we needed to save our energy for NYE.

Make a wish

Made some great friends that night

Christmas 2009

2009-12-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

I decorated my classroom for christmas, watched a few movies....nothing too exciting compared to 2008 as my friends and family are not around *tear tear*

On my roo f

One of my loving 3rd graders

I have the coolest calendar/clock on my MacbookPro

www.500m.co.kr

2009-12-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

I was having a street fashion interview at the Snow Jam competition ....thought i dressed pretty much as casual as possible, but i guess it works. Its in the 'street fashion' section for December 2009.

A Lazy Winter's Sunday

2009-12-20T03:15:00.000-08:00

So its finally snowing in the city! Got up late after staying up until 4am to watch Arsenal demolish Hull in the EPL (thats english football to those who aren't familiar).

Went to mum's today (i have korean parents too) for a nice beef dinner and lots of fruit/cake. Had fun with my little korean best friend Gon, he likes to going out and being crazy too.

Running around Myeong-dong back in October

My local department store, Jamaica Fitness!

A date with my 2nd Graders

2009-12-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

I took my 2nd grade students to see a korean christmas play in Apgujeoung (the so-called Beverley Hills of Korea, although how it got that reputation is beyond me!).

It was a small production, but was executed very well. The entire play was recited in Italian singing, with korean subtitles....really good.

My student Kitty was trying so hard to read all of the subtitles (they were really quick!)

So the show ended around 1pm, at which point we were all on the verge of starvation...i headed to my favorite store in Korea-Butterfingers, being a Saturday it was pretty busy, so i decided i will take out. I cheekily took a menu from a random girl's hand as i knew she'd done ordering-she looks up and asks who am i with, and once i tell her im alone she demanded that i join her and her sister for lunch to make up for the menu-snatching. So im having lunch with Catherine, 23 (i gave her an english name, which she will now adopt for the rest of her life) and her older sister, 25 (Brooke-who speaks little english)....had fun, will be hanging out with them again im sure.

Going back in time

2009-12-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

Today was a business trip to the Korean Folk Village - its about 1.5hrs south of Seoul and i went with one of my collegues (Kay). It would have been much better had it not been -9 degrees Celcius outside with a harsh wind.

Hey Jen!

Love the korean traditional style

No idea why i'm touching a cow.... maybe i was hungry!

Kimchi Hut

Nobleman's House

This random game where you have to put the stick into the hole....sound familiar?

Traditional Dancers

The best part was the tea shop....you're basically sitting in the middle of a giant forest-i imagine it looks even more amazing during Spring or Autumn due to the blossom and leaves' colour change.

Citrus Tea

Jen in the Tea Shop

Hidden in the forest

I Love You Too...

Meeting Randoms-Part 1

2009-12-17T02:55:00.000-08:00

So I met up with Anthony after work to discuss life's interests and exchange a few ideas for work... obviously we went for pancakes, and ended up meeting some randoms.

Glasses by Cam, Hat by Anthony. Smiles by Randoms

Went to my favorite café after dinner, its my favourite one in Gangnam, mainly because its full of beautiful korean people but the building has an unfinished feel to it.

As we were leaving one of the girls sitting accross from us gives me this on a piece of A4-had it had a phone number on it, i would have been smitten by the idea. In any case, i thought it was sweet.... needless to say she has talent.

Snow Jam 2009

2009-12-12T06:02:00.000-08:00

So the weather is starting to get cold...and like black people, the koreans don't like that one bit!

The first snowboarding world cup is taking place in Seoul and the launch event was a man made slope in the middle of a busy road, surrounded by buildings with a mountain as a backdrop. With over 100 professional boarders, this was a great spectacle.

Gwanghwamun Plaza

Slope by day

In the afternoon I picked up an SBS news reporter in Starbucks, then we hung out for the day.....stay tuned for more pictures.

Chilling with Miyuki

Miyuki

Cute Snowboarders

The Jump @ night

High Riders

Trees + Lights = Pretty Picture

Trees

My Little Secret...

2009-12-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Today I found a sweet spot for me to enjoy my tea/coffee and relax...im keeping its location a secret though...it will remain my 'secret place' for now, and i very much doubt many foreigners know where it is...they sell exquisite chocolates and play beautiful music.

Expensive but tasty chocolate

Great selection of wines