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St. Paddy's in Seoul

 For St. Patrick's Day this year, the Irish Association of Korea held a parade and outdoor festivities on Saturday, March 20th. While I wasn't able to attend, I was able to get to an Irish Pub in Itaewon (Seoul) for a post-parade Guinness with some real, authentic Irish people (particularly my friend Becky and her friend Miriam, who was here on holiday from Ireland.)



Following the Irish Pub, we were able to get into a private party for SMOE, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and enjoy a packed room of English teachers! Little did they know we teach in Incheon (hehehe, jokes on them!)

After a little dancing in Hongdae, we went for a snack then decided our vocal chords needed a workout--- to the Noraebang!

A fine establishment for tteokbokki!

Miriam, Melissa and Becky singing their hearts out.

Ferry ride and Caving

On Sunday, March 7th, we went on an AdventureKorea trip to Chungju Lake, Kosu Cave and Dodamsanbong in Chungcheongbuk Province. It was more a relaxing trip than a hardcore caving expedition. Nonetheless, we all got some great pictures and it's always fun to get away from Incheon/Seoul every now and again; breathe some fresh air! More pictures (inside the cave, ferry ride)

 
Chungju Lake

The ferry ride was cold and super windy, but the views were breathtaking (or that could have been the wind knocking us all over any time we stepped outside.) Anyone who has ever had a cavity knows that when cold air rushes into your mouth, the sharp pain makes you want to do something other than smile!

But in all seriousness, it was a wonderfully relaxing ride through Chungju Lake. The water mark was incredibly low (because of winter), but the tour guide informed me that once monsoon season hits, the water level will bounce right back.

These are some of the cast of characters who joined in for the trip- Karien (S Africa), Jean (Connecticut), Lauren (Mass.), Carolyn (GA), and Melissa (Wash.) (Hannah (CA) is in the other picture where we are standing on a very high natural bridge over water... safety rating: ehh, probably shouldn't go there.)

The water was a beautiful greenish blue color and the colors on the mountains surrounding the lake were incredible. This is the type of place a person should visit in all four seasons, late winter it was very quiet, but I can imagine during the fall, the trees just pop with every color in the rainbow (except indigo because 'they' just booted it out... first Pluto, now indigo... I'm watching my childhood lessons disappear...)

Scenery (China)

Mutianyu, China 2/2010

The Summer Palace (China)

 

The Summer Palace - March 1, 2010

Our last stop before flying back to Incheon, was the Summer Palace. Again, it was a pretty cold day, and we were on a bit of a time crunch, so we walked briskly through the grounds. Unfortunately, we were only able to get a small taste of all the sights, but it was still breathtaking to be walking through history. The marble boat was quite a sight! 

The Great Wall (China)

The Great Wall Of China (Mutianyu) February 28, 2010

The Great Wall is best described through my pictures. 

On the drive to the Great Wall, I was attempting to take a picture of a small temple (typical through out both Korea and China)... however, I was in a car and so it was a quick shot... this turned out to be a way better shot since this woman was biking right through it!

unexpected picture

We chose to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu because it is not as tourist-y as Badaling. Also, choosing to go during the winter cut down on tourists. I say choosing, but this trip was planned about 2 1/2 weeks prior, so our timing was out of our hands. We were also 'fortunate' to go on a cold, windy, snowy day in February... very few other people were visiting, so we had an intimate visit with this magnificent structure.

My video evidence!

the family name made it to The Wall

The Great Wall Revisited by William Lindesay is an incredible book with pictures and details about the wall at two time periods. Showing how the wall has, and hasn't changed, depending on where you're visiting.  Carolyn's aunt owns a copy and after our visit to Mutianyu, we looked through the book with awe. I plan to go back to the Great Wall someday and would like to attempt to walk a good portion of it. People had written their names and other random things (for example, the popular Korean band "Big Bang" was written.) I wrote my last name, giving my family (and the other thousands of Bakers out there) an opportunity to get in on the action.






The only tough thing about getting off the wall, was after having a very intense moment looking into the past, we were bombarded by people selling souvenirs. "1 dollar!" They literally blocked our way. We contributed to their businesses, buying shirts and a few trinkets, so I don't feel too bad. 

street market (aka harassment)

The Forbidden City (China)

I just returned from a weekend trip to Beijing, China. I will write more details in a few days after I've had some time to process the amazing time we had. The above picture is from the Forbidden City - February 27, 2010.

A link to my traveling partner's blog: Carolyn

Carolyn and I used SOHO Travel to arrange our Visas and flight. They were very helpful and it was worth the minimal service charge. We flew Business Class to Beijing and it was AMAZING. The China Eastern Airlines lounge at ICN was top-notch. We “mistakingly” poured Cognac instead of Champagne… life’s tough, right?

The headlines of the “China Daily: The National English Language Newspaper” were: “Whale kills trainer at Florida’s Seaworld” “Web revolutionizes ways of communication” “Amateur actors’ passion puts professionals to shame”  “Pressure on yuan rise ‘not justified’” and “Fewer Chinese children available for adoption in US”

We stayed with Carolyn's relatives in Beijing. They were our tour guides and taxi drivers... and they never complained! Very generous folks. The first day, we visited Tienanmen Square (metal detectors to get in) where we saw Mao's Mausoleum, and the Great Hall of the People. They are organized in a square and facing the  Mausoleum at the opposite end is the entrance into the Forbidden City (pictured). 

Saturday evening we enjoyed an amazing Peking duck dinner- multiple courses!

Pictures from day 1!!