Hello and Goodbye...

I always seem to travel with my entire closet. Why can't I travel light? Not today when I have a luggage full of coats and jackets. I'm just glad they will be of use again and not sitting in my closet forever.

Our flight to Seoul was delayed.  It was some problem with the computer navigational data according to the pilot. Unfortunately, we were already boarded so I could not send Mannie a message that I will be late. I was the only Filipino passenger on the plane. The Koreans, especially the businessman-looking ones couldn't help but complain. An old man, taking advantage of the situation kept on ringing for the flight attendant. Newspaper...I'm hungary! I want coffee. Hahaha! After two long hours, the plane finally took off! Goodbye, Manila.

Hello, Seoul! I was so disoriented when I left the plane. There was a throng of Chinese tourists from a different airline which arrived at the same time. I realized I was following them and panicked when I saw myself in front of a train. Good thing viber is working so I got instructions from Mannie to ride the train which will bring me to the immigration side of the airport. Visa line was quick and easy! No nitpicking as in Manila (stop comparing I reminded myself). Then I had to find my bags. They were already off the carousel and grouped together in a corner.

My first must-have, was the magnetic train smartcard which looks like a USB flash drive. I need it to ride the train. Mannie kept reminding me not to lose it because it is so tiny.  We took the subway ride. It was about 45 minutes from Incheon International Airport to Mapo Gu - Hongik University stop. We got to Seokyo Hotel, Mannie's residence for the past eight months. 

Seokyo Hotel lobby

I met a couple of Mannie's colleagues from Toyo Engineering -PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela) Project. We had buffet dinner - a welcome treat for me and a send-off for Letty, one of their co-workers who is going back home to the U.S. We had Korean BBQ leaf wraps - lettuce and minty leaves to wrap an assortment of grilled meat and seafood along with garlic, chili and delicious fermented soybean paste. I forget the name of the recipe. I should have wrapped my coat as well, I was drenched with the smell of BBQ when we left the restaurant. After that we had such wonderful time at the Trick Eye Museum.

A taste of authentic Korean food with Mannie's colleagues.

Getting wacky at the Trick Eye Museum

Trick Eye Museum is an art gallery with paintings created using "trompe l'oeil" techniques which give each art piece a 3D illusion.

My first impressions of Seoul. A sprawling, modern city with a countryside backdrop. There is always a hill somewhere. It is a like a city that never sleeps, with it's vibrant youth, snazzy designer shops, flashy signboards and electronic billboards. I wish to imbibe the energy. I will take it one day at a time. Winter is not really a very good time to explore the city.

The city of bright lights...Appreciating Mr. Bottle Man in downtown Hongdae

The following day being a Sunday, was my first visit to the Hyehwa-dong Catholic Church. The 1:30 p.m. Mass was celebrated by a Filipino priest. The church is definitely the place where most Filipinos are sure to converge anywhere in the world. I am happy about this fact. And where Pinoys gather, there is food and stuff from back home sold in tiangge fashion along the sidewalks near the church . We had our late lunch of Pinoy food inside the tiangge tent. Even locals eat there. They love banana-Q and goto. They try almost everything. 

Hyehwa - Dong Catholic Church

The advent wreath at the altar of Hyehwa -Dong Catholic Church

My first time at the cinema was out of curiosity - to observe how they watch a movie. Movie tickets have a dispensing machine, well if you speak Korean. For us, we had to take a number, wait for the number to be called to purchase the movie pass. We watched The Hobbit. They pronounced it "hubbit" just like Bisaya. Hahaha! The cinema as usual is a dating place for young couples. Everybody was quiet and focused on the movie. No talking, no cell phones ringing.

Cinema ticket costs 9,000 won which is about 345 pesos

Ice Cream at -7 anyone? It is almost always ice cream after a meal. I thought it was crazy. Mannie explained why eating ice cream is good in freezing weather. First, it actually warms the body. When you eat ice cream when it is cold it produces more heat to balance your temperature. Second, ice cream does not melt in your hands. (I like that!) Third, Baskin Robbins tastes really good and comes in different flavors. Oh yeah!

Last stop before finally heading home, either the coin-operated crain toy amusement machine or the pin the balloons-win a stuffed toy booth. They are all over the place and it's pretty addicting to play. I wanted Mannie to win the bonnet or the hello kitty ear phones but got the electric shaver instead. Well, there is always tomorrow and I have written enough. So goodbye for now.