Dragon Hill Spa

If there is one thing that Korea is famous for other than kimchee, I would say it is the "jjimjilbang."

Jjjimjilbangs are difficult to describe because 'bath house' doesn't really bring a picture to your head, especially if you are from America. The main part of any good jjimjilbang is the sauna which usually has a variety of hot and cold tubs at different temperatures that say they are 'energy' or 'medicine'. But there is so much more to it than just sweating out all the bad stuff.

After you pay the entrance fee you'll get a key attached to a wristband with a number for your locker and a change of clothes (loose-fitting shirt and shorts) to change into after you bathe and to wear in the co-ed areas. Once you're clean, then it's time to explore or find the perfect place to sleep for the night.

One of the most popular jjimjilbangs in Korea amongst foreigners is Dragon Hill Spa located in Yongsan. Don't be fooled by the appearance of the entrance. It's way bigger than it seems. 

 

The walkway into the spa is really serene as you enter through a narrow passageway surrounded by bamboo trees and green Christmas lights. 

 

Here is the floor plan of the spa. As you can see, each floor is filled with different features including screen golf, arcade, fitness club, rooftop terrace, cinema, PC room, and restaurant.

 

Here is the open space where you can sleep. The floors are heated so if you get hot easily, I suggest going down to the cinema when there's no movie on. It's cooler and no one really goes in there! 

On a weekend, these places get so packed it can be difficult to find a place to sleep as Koreans make it a family event, or kids use it as a way to escape the home. So if you don't like crowds, try to explore during the week, but if you want to see one in full effect then make your stay on a Friday or Saturday!

Although I was appalled by the thought of being naked in front of other women, it was an experience that made me feel closer to the culture. If anything, no one really looks at you as they don't want to be looked at either. I hope you try out different saunas and jjimjilbangs in Korea. It's cheaper than a hotel and you get a free luxury bath out of it!

Farmer's market

Middle school exams are coming up, which means more time to explore my town.


I have been eying street signs to the Agro Fishery market in my town for a while, but never found the time for it. Well this past weekend, I decided to actually go see what it was all about.


This market consists of two huge warehouses that sell vegetables, fruits, and seafood (hence, Agro fishery). The vegetables and fruits are grown by farmers all over the country and the seafood is fresh from the waters of Korea. The cool thing about this market is that the produce is significantly cheaper than the ones found in E-mart or Homeplus (the Wal-Mart of Korea).

Here is the vegetable section:

There are rows and rows of vendors that sell the same vegetables. A bag of twenty onions is priced at 5000won and veggies such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and potatoes are sold for under 3000won for a whole mountain of them!

Although they all sell the same produce, some will give you a discount, while others will give you some extra on the side.

The fruit section:

The fruits were so fresh that I wanted to buy out the whole market!

Doesn't this make you drool?

Now onto the fish market. There are some weird sea creatures Koreans love to eat, but you know what they say, don't judge until you try it!

Crabs on crabs on crabs (and lobsters)

Almost all the vendors were selling stingray. There are rows and rows of stingray displayed throughout the fish section, which makes you only think of how Steve Irwin died. They even have raw stingray cut up for you to try!

Markets may seem like hidden gems, but they are actually very common and dispersed throughout Korea. Next time you decide to wander around your town, ask the locals where the nearest "Shi-Jang" is!

Things to bring from home...

I have many friends coming to Korea this upcoming year. Whether it is to visit or to teach a year in Korea, I have made a list of essential things for them to bring:

Bedsheets: This applies more to those who want to teach or stay long term in Korea. Now, you CAN find bedsheets of all sizes in Korea, but you have to know that they are rather expensive and the fabric is rough. If you're lucky, you can find sheets on sale at HomePlus (Korean version of Wal-Mart). The down-side is that they will have tacky designs on them or easily pick up lint after one wash. I found that the Arrival Store is expensive, too. Some schools might provide your apartment with a bedsheet, but it wouldn't hurt to have an extra one. Since dryers are not common here, it could take days for them to dry. I know without a doubt you can make a trip to Target, Wal-Mart, or even TJ Maxx in America and buy good quality bedsheets for under $20. Oh, and if you're wondering about the size, most apartments come with single size beds.

Medicine: There are pharmacies everywhere you go in Korea. However, I also noticed that Korean pharmacies love to prescribe Tylenol and antibiotics for anything you can think of. It's a good idea to bring essential medicine like:

• Pepto Bismol: Food in Korea is delicious, but it takes some getting used to. It's common that many people do not see solid poop for at least a month after they arrive here.
• Ibuprofin: Don't expect to find containers of Aleve or Tylenol here. Tylenol has to be prescribed and the meds in Korea are a bit stronger than America.
• Allergy meds: If you have allergies, you might want to bring a bottle of Zyrtec or any of that sort. Although my allergies haven't flared up as bad here, it's better to have some than suffer in the spring time.
• Vitamins: If you're a vitamin person, bring some with you. They're overly expensive here. 

Don't worry about birth control, since you can buy it over the counter here. Just make sure to get your doctor to find an equivalent of yours that is available in Korea. He/She should have a list. 

Makeup: Ok, so this does not apply to those with fair skin. But for those of us on the darker side, it's pretty much impossible to find foundation/powder. Korean girls love to look as white as they can. Depending on how much you use, buy a good amount before you arrive. You can find anything for your skin here, EXCEPT for darker makeup.

Toiletries:

• Toothpaste: One thing I have noticed about Korean toothpaste is that it does not contain fluoride. It leaves your teeth with a not-clean feeling. The mint in the toothpaste is also very dull. What I'm saying is, get American toothpaste.
• Deodorant: Good quality deodorant comes from a country that sweats= America.
• Towels: This one is not a huge deal, but do bring at least ONE towel from home. Korean towels are thin and are soaked before you're even dry.

Clothing: You can find cute and cheap clothes everywhere in Korea IF you're skinny. Most Korean girls are tiny, so when the lady at the store tells you "One size fits all," she means, anywhere from XS to M. If you're on the bigger size, just know that you will be very limited.

• Pants: Like I said, if you're a girl and under size 7 you should have no problem. However, for those who are on the healthier side, stock up on those jeans. If you're a guy and have big thighs, I would also suggest you buy your pants before you arrive. You tend to sit on the floor a lot in Korea, so the chances of your crotch ripping or wearing out are high.
• Suits: Most schools don't require you to dress up, but you cannot show up to class looking like one of your students. Make sure to bring some slacks and blazers to seem more presentable.
• Shoes: If you're a girl and over size 9 or a guy over size 10, it's pretty much impossible to find cute/cool shoes. However, this doesn't mean splurge on shoes before you arrive. Because you walk everywhere in Korea, your shoes will get ruined pretty fast. From experience, I ruined a pretty expensive pair of leather boots in 2 months. 

Gum: That's right, chewing gum. Korean gum is meant to last all of ten minutes. After that, the flavor is gone and the texture of the gum turns into something so unpleasant that you want to spit it out instantly. I'm a gum chewer and I want my gum to last. It's possible to find American gum here, but I find it to be a hassle and would rather have my Costco supply of gum ready in my house.

Cell Phone: Don't hold me to this, but there is a rumor that Korean SIM cards will work on unlocked American cell phones beginning May 2012. However, it might not be this simple. I know for sure Korean phones are more compatible with companies that use CDMA phones, such as Verizon or Sprint. Plus, this is one of the most wired countries in the world, so you can have Wifi without a data plan pretty much anywhere you go. 

I'm sure there are a hundred and some things people would want to bring from back home. These are just some items that I found to be pretty convenient in Korea. There are ways to get these items here, but at a higher price or through a friend in the military.

I hope this list will help future teachers or their friends when they arrive in Korea.

My weekend in Insadong

My best friend/boyfriend and I haven't had a chance to spend much time together alone, so we decided to pick a quiet spot in Seoul where we could just walk around and feel like we were on an actual date. Insadong may be a popular tourist spot, but it's not as crazy as Myeongdong and has just as much to see as Garosugil. It feels very traditional, as you'll see many tea shops as well as shops that sell brushes and ink for Korean calligraphy.


Ssamziegil is a shopping area halfway into Insadong. What's special about this little shopping center is that it is an outdoor strip mall that spirals up four or five stories. Each floor is filled with tiny art boutiques that sell anything from clothing to household items.

If you go to the very top of the mall, you will see an area for couples to write love messages that they can attach to a fence leading to a coffee shop where they can enjoy spending more time with each other. It's similar to the love locks in Namsan Tower, but I don't think as romantic.

There are plenty of restaurants in Insadong that offer traditional Korean dishes, like bibimbap ("mixed rice") or gooksoo (noodles). I went to a tiny restaurant tucked away on the first floor of Ssamziegil that offered the same traditional Korean food, but with a twist.

This restaurant has been featured in different Korean shows, for it's "Fire Chobap." It's basically raw Korean beef placed on a ball of rice, like sushi, but then seared with a blowtorch right at your table! It was so delicious...

The rest of Insadong is worth checking out, too. There are plenty of snack vendors putting on a show in the streets as well as an arcade filled with games that you and your significant other can play together.

You can even make a customized Korean style ink stamp. They can carve any design you want on it and it even comes in a cute pouch for you to carry it around in.

Another cool thing about Insadong is that it is home of the only Starbucks in the Korea that has "Starbucks" NOT written in English. Although, I hear Samcheongdong has one too now.

Even though the weather was unusually cold, it was a nice break away from the crazy city life.

St. Patrick's day in Seoul

I'm sure there's a deeper meaning behind this day we call St. Patrick's day, but from my experiences back at home in America, it's a day when people wear green to avoid getting pinched, drink a lot of alcohol, and even dye the rivers green. I thought this was one celebration that I would miss out on in Korea, but boy was I wrong.

Seoul annually hosts events to celebrate this ol' St. Patrick. Right outside of Sindorim station,  a crowd of foreigners were gathered in an amphitheater enjoying their booze and listening to live Irish music. The bands weren't only Irish. The first band performing was actually Korean!

the Korean Irish band

They don't dye the rivers here, but the sea of green shirts worn by hundreds of foreigners came close.

Irish Festival outside of Sindorim stn

The concert ended around 6pm, but that didn't mean the party was over. Many made their way to destined party areas in Seoul like Hongdae and Itaewon.

At Rocky Mountain Tavern with friends

I met up with a couple of my college friends and explored around Itaewon. We even bought bright green t-shirts that say "St. Patrick's day" in three different languages for only 5000won! 

If you are Irish or are into celebrating this day, you won't be missing out while you're in Korea. Even if Koreans don't celebrate certain holidays, you'll be sure to find a group of foreigners who do.

Trick Art Museum

There are plenty of places to choose from in Seoul when you don't have anything planned for the weekend. Now that I teach on Saturdays, it's pretty much impossible to travel anywhere far. The good news is that this is the perfect chance to explore Seoul even more. I decided to call up a couple of my friends and check out the famous Trick Art Museum.

Trick Art Museum is a museum full of optical illusion art. This is one place where you don't want to forget your camera. The art pieces are humorous and even put a twist to some classic art pieces. If you stand next to them, you can become part of the art!

Do you recognize any of these pieces?

I don't want to spoil the whole museum, but I do want to share one more picture:

There are staff walking around to help you with pictures so all of your friends can become part of the art!

When you are finished goofing around the museum, head over to the cafe area to enjoy a snack or as I did, create a masterpiece! You can buy these blank figures for 5000Won and you can decorate it any way you like. The museum provides you with markers and other tools, so all you have to do is color!

Trick Art Museum has many locations including Daegu and Jeju Island. The one in Seoul is located near HongIk University (also known as Hongdae). Just take the green line (Line 2) to Hongdae station and take exit 9. Link

If you are looking for a relaxing and creative weekend, I highly recommend you to check out this museum. DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

Saying Goodbye

Coming to Korea can be a beautiful thing. You come to this foreign land knowing that you will experience a different culture, travel to many places, and teach some wonderful kids. What you don't know is that you will share all these experiences with people that become your closest friends.

I had my share of goodbyes my first year in Korea. Being one of the last to arrive among the group of people I spent most of my time with, I had to say many goodbyes. It's never an easy thing. It almost feels like summer camp, where you bond with people from different places and have to say goodbye and promise that you will see each other again, even though you know it might be unlikely. At one point, I was seriously depressed because I felt so lonely. I lost my appetite and wanted to desperately get out of there too.

What I didn't realize is that you are always making friends in Korea whether it's friends of friends or people new to the country. Now that it's my second year, I am having to say goodbye to people that have sent me off the first time.

Five of my friends have recently left Korea. The last few weeks have been full of celebrations, feasts, and promises. Here are some suggestions of how to send off your friends the right way:

1. Wonder Hour (COEX Intercontinental Hotel): From Monday to Saturday, you can enjoy all you can eat and drink (wine and beer) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. It's a little bit of an upscale place, so you and your friends can have an excuse to dress up one last time. It costs roughly 34000Won, but worth every penny. Link

COEX Intercontinental Hotel Lobby

2. Big Rock (Gangnam): This bar is very spacious and can fit however many people you bring. They have towers of beer and many different drinks and dishes that will leave your friends with a lasting memory of Korea. Plus, the bartenders understand that it's a special moment and will treat you with different services like free drinks for the whole group. Link

Last hug at Big Rock

3. Rainbow (Gangnam): If you have a big group, be sure to make reservations. Rainbow is a chill, underground spot where you can smoke hookah and share buckets with your closest friends, while listening to trance or reggae music, depending on the night. The atmosphere is perfect for you to slouch back and reminisce the good times with your friends. Link

Rainbow

4. UlZzang (Gangnam): Sticker picture stores are everywhere in Korea. But if you're in the area, you might as well take one last picture with your friends before they leave. You can take pictures with different props and even edit the pictures with funny icons or messages. 

I'm sure I'll meet up with all my friends sometime in the future. The question is....where?