교보서점 kyobo bookstore!!!!

Today I went out with my Korean Brotha because I wanted to go to a book store. We took the bus and traveled to Gangnam station. 

Here, there are a lot of people and a lot if high buildings. 

Understand the meaning of this sign? I think it means, "put it back after looking at it." 

By the way, you can find a Citibank nearly anywhere in Gangnam. Taking money out of the ATM with an American card is easy. 

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them at the bottom of the post. 안녕! 

Man purse!! Exploring in Gangnam

Today I had to go to Yeoksam (역삼동) so that I could take a placement exam for a private language institute. I traveled there by bus by myself. It was awesome. I stopped in a convenience store and bought a bottle of water for like 60 American cents. I had to go all the way there without cell service because I am roaming in Korea. But it's okay! I can connect to the wifi. I use the Naver maps and finding my course is easy. 

Yes. That is a man purse. 

I did Korea "Gangnam style" today. 

Ugh! This neighborhood has so many hills! 

I arrived after doing a little bit of sight seeing. It was so exhausting. 나는 한국어실력을 늘어야 돼요. I need to improve my Korean skills! 

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them at the bottom of the post. 안녕! 

Watermelon delivery?

As we were watching Korean dramas on this Saturday night, the doorbell rang. My Ksister quickly ran to the door and got a watermelon from the delivery man! It was pretty delicious. You don't see that in America. 

After the drama, our mother put on the Korean home shopping network.

 

"I like home shopping"

It was a pretty great night. Anyway, bed! 안녕! 

Korean Chinese food

After hiking all day (like for four hours) we went to 구반포 in the middle of Seoul for some Korean style Chinese food. We ordered a bunch of dishes and ate together. We had 중냉면하고 자짱면하고 짬뽕하고 I forgot was the sweet fried pork is called(if you know from the picture, please leave a comment). It was really good! 

Along with the meal, the ahjusshi and I had some Chinese rice wine. They told me it was 50% alcohol! I tolerated it though. Everything was pretty good. 

Now it was time to go home. We took the subway. Seoul is an awesome city! 

My first Saturday adventure

등산 (hiking) The night before, my Korean Mother's friend invited my to climb 청계산 (cheong kyae mountain). I woke up a little late so I got up, ate breakfast, changed, and head out the door to go to the subway station. Upon arriving, I saw my mom's friend dressed in some pretty official hiking gear--she meant business. We went down in the subway, which was amazing. Seoul's subway is really clean! But it looked like a lot of people wanted to go the same place as us. 

After a transfer and meeting up with some more friends, we arrived! And she told me that we would be climbing on the the mountains in the distance :O--it was huge! I didn't know what I got myself into! We, and the huge swarm of people, made our way through a tunnel where vendors were plenty--a common occurrence in Korea. 

After passing the stores selling hiking equipment, we made our way up the mountain. 

The crew was pretty awesome! 

Many times we had to stop because  our friend was tired. When we starting hiking again, they would say, "크리스 먼저 가세요. 안 힘들어요?" Or, "Chris, you go first. It isn't difficult?" It was more like a fun game for me. 

Finally we reached our stopping point, so it was time for lunch. We had this awesome picnic. Even though I suck at Korean, it was so fun being with them. I was so grateful that I could come and spend time with them. I just wish I could have offered more to the conversations. 

We were really tired, but we had a feast!

This was my first time having kimbab and makeoli (김밥과 막걸리). Both were seriously delicious. Kimbab is like sushi but better, and makeolli is rice wine...맛있다! 

Listening and trying to focus on a language is so hard and exhausting, but I want to have more conversations so I am motivated to improve my speaking ability. Luckily, we communicate so much with body language that being with them wasn't awkward. They are really a fun crowd to be around! Later that day, the ahjusshi told me that they did the 탈춤 (tradition Korean mask dance) together in college. 

Now it was time to go down the mountain, which in my opinion, offered its own unique splendor and beauty. 

Korea is so pretty!!!

We did it!!!! After descending down the mountain, we met up with my kmom for coffee. It was such a great experience, and I am so glad I spent my Saturday doing it. 등산하는 것이 엄청 재미있어요! 

If you have any questions or comments, please leave on at the bottom of my post. Thanks for reading! 안녕!