Lotte!

Today I thought I would check out the nearest supermarket. I am beginning to crave for sinigang after eating too much local food since I got here. Unlike Seokyo Hotel, our new home in Somerset has a kitchen. I can cook!

So I went to Lotte Hotel and Department Store. It is not that far but I had to walk slowly as most of the ground is still covered with snow. For me, snow is something special, something I get sentimental about. There is a dreamy feeling watching light and fluffy snow fall from the sky. Trees and houses with snow settled on them remind me of Christmas postcards. Everything around me seems magical. It feels like I'm living inside a snow globe.

Watching the snow come down outside my window

But in reality, trudging in the slush and ice is not all fun especially when my nose is always runny (and sometimes bloody) and red as Rudolph's. Snow is soft and fluffy to walk on during the first day. But once it starts to melt, snow turns to ice, which makes walking on it difficult and hazardous. Yet, I see quite a number of women who amazingly are able to walk on icy ground with stiletto heeled shoes or boots without slipping. It takes an awful lot of talent I think to walk with glamour and confidence on those slippery patches of ice. Lol! As for me, I prefer to wear my sturdy rubber boots over high-heeled shoes any day in the snow! 

I would usually pass by Jogyesa Temple grounds because there, a little bit of sand has been put over the snow providing better traction. Here, an image of the fat laughing Buddha, Maitreya is sitting on the snow.

Outside the temple grounds, the sidewalk on the main street is filled with Buddhist shops selling hats, jewelry, lanterns, bells, books, calendars and other paraphernalia related to Buddhism.

Feeding hungry pigeons with cookies as I go

Somehow the main drag that leads up to Lotte Hotel and Department store reminds me of Ayala Avenue (a main thoroughfare in Manila's premier commercial district). 

On my way I passed by Cheonggyecheon Stream which is located in one of the busiest boulevards in Jongno Gu. It's about 5.8 km. long and more than 15 ft. below street level. Walking along the stream offers a peaceful respite from all the hustle and bustle of the big city with its small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges.

One of the window displays at Lotte Department Store 

Here, it is called department store, while back home it is mall or galleria. Lotte is pronounced as "low" "ten" without the "n" and with emphasis on the "t". What I knew of Lotte before was limited to chewing gum but the company is so huge - in fact the largest food, entertainment and shopping conglomerate in Korea and Japan. The company history says that the origin of the name Lotte is neither Korean nor Japanese but was inspired by the character Charlotte from Johanne Wolfgang von Goethe's novel The Sorrows of Young Werther. The elegance and luxury Lotte is known for is certainly apparent in this one - a hotel, department store and duty free shop rolled into one.

The department store on the first floor carry famous international goods: Lancôme, Dior, Shue Uemura, Chanel, Clinique, Mac, Benefit, Biotherm, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Fendi, etc. (The list can go on and on.)

Mac cosmetic counter with a live mannequin model

But I would say my favorite part of the mall is the supermarket where there's a huge choice for fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a feast to the eyes but such a burden to the wallet! Yes, mostly foodstuff is expensive in the supermarkets but then you can eat healthy and delicious meals at restaurants for 6,000 - 8,000 won (roughly php230 -php320) on the average and less for noodles and bibimbap.

The fruit section. These are Dole bananas imported from the Philippines. A bunch of bananas with 6 pieces cost about 7,000 won (php270). Wow! That changed the way I look at bananas.

Beautiful fruit baskets at 158,000 won (about php 6,000)

Thinking what to eat for lunch

The food court

The west side of the mall brought me to the Lotte Duty Free Star Avenue. It is an entertainment spot where fans can have a virtual experience of their favorite Korean celebrities. Simply press the hand print of your favorite star and there on the screen before you is your idol speaking to you in a video clip. 

The west entrance of the department store that leads to Star Avenue

The fabulous winter display at the Star Avenue

The Star Showcase on both sides of the "avenue" is a glass display of costumes and accessories donated by the stars, along with a "Star Magazine Video" showing the latest celebrity news.

Hand print of Rain, of Full House fame

Hand print of Kim Hyun Joong, famous for his role in the Korean television drama Boys Over Flowers

It has been worth going out the day for me. For the most part, the supermarket experience was a little crazy, buying sinigang ingredients in Lotte of all places, Lol! I really cannot buy a lot because I have to carry it all home, so it is just that plus a mish mash of things until I can find a regular supermarket.

And the finished product....Voila! 

The slices of pork available in the supermarket is not right for cooking sinigang, but it would do for now. Bon Appetit!