Day 20: Noraebang (노래방)

Been a while since I have started this blog about my 46 days of adventure in Korea, and I hope it has been a little bit useful to anyone who is intending to visit Korea for travelling purposes / summer school. On the other hand, I am extremely encouraged by the visitors to this blog from all over the world. Hello to everyone out there! (: Do leave me a comment letting me know how I can improve better.

Okay so Day 20 is the start of my second week of ISS semester. This is yet another typical lunch in the Business School cafeteria - Squid and pork bibimbap. Look at the little donut they give you hahah funny how you get a sweet dish in the middle of everything spicy / salty.

School that day was as per usual. Other than that, my lunch gang decided we should have a noraebang (노래방) session after school. For anyone who doesn't already know, noraebang is the Singapore's version of KTV (like K-box, like Teoheng, like Partyworld). And I am quite sure in other parts of the world, they have this kind of karaoke pubs too. I am not sure how it works in different parts of the world, but the ones in Singapore and Korea and I believe, Taiwan, works the same way. You get a room depending on the size of your group. There are usually two ways they charge - by person, or by room.

Korean Noraebang is a place that I have been looking forward to ever since I started getting in touch with K-POP. It is no different from Singapore's ones, but except that the majority of the songs there are Korean songs (but of course). You still get a few Chinese songs, quite a bit of Japanese and English songs, and some Indonesian/Malay songs as well. So as you can see, it is a very diverse place anyone can go to.

Korean Noraebangs also have a lot of sound effects, like those of people clapping hands, those of loud cheers, and we had fun with those when each of us sang a song. I can read Hanguel, but my reading speed is pretty slow especially for the fast songs, but I am awesome with 2AM's songs. 2AM mostly sings ballad songs but also because of that, the mood gets a bit low hahah so I only sang one or two (also because I only know that few). A noraebang session can range from 5,000KRW for 2 hours per pax to 20,000KRW for 2 hours per pax. It all depends on the room size, the service, the quality. But to me, it doesn't really matter, except that this one we went is really quite cramped.

After a noraebang session, we decided to head out for dinner. Below is a dish of stir-fried pork intestines, otherwise known as makchang or gopchang. The last time I ate this, we had to BBQ it ourselves, but this time round, they had it cooked for us.

You should have seen this all over Korean variety shows already! And yes I get to experience that first-hand. You stuffed the food onto the vegetables, put sauce and garlic and many things (I don't know the order), and stuff it into your mouth. A burst of happiness really. (:

Oh I miss this so much right now ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. And we also experienced one of the worst monsoon rains that night. A 15-mins walk home was so terribly hard, with the umbrella almost flying off my hands gosh.

Day 19: Edae, Namdaemun, and Myeongdong

Warning: Many food pictures ahead.

So, after a lonely day on Day 18, I decided to meet up with Okta on Day 19, since she was free that day as well. I did up my presentation slides for one of my classes (due to present on Day 21) and then I left to meet Okta at the subway station and we took the train together. I wanted to go Edae because I wanted to give that place another chance (there must be something so fascinating about it) and since Okta likes traditional markets, we decided to give Namdaemun a chance too. So, off we go~~~~~!!

We decided to have lunch first since we were both starving. And I am so easy about food so seriously, it's never a good decision to ask me to decide, unless I have a specific craving that day. So, Okta brought me to this place in Edae whereby the girls and her had dinner few days ago but I skipped because I wasn't feeling well. Turns out it was right beside the shop whereby Shan and I had our lunch the last time we came by Edae. Anyway, we have this thing which I didn't know what it was but it looks so similar to 알밥 so it shall be 알밥 (al-bab).

First you are given rice with I think pickles, and some fish roe, and some crab meat and seaweed (may have tuna, kimchi and whatever not) arranged neatly like this.

And then you are also given a pair of gloves, so wear it, and mix it up like this.

When it's evenly mixed, you can roll them into cute riceballs like this!!!

I really love 알밥 and its lookalike thing here. But so far, I haven't seen a single store that sells al-bab here in Singapore. If you know of any, please let me knowwwwwwwww. I need to eat it!!!! Oh yes, it looks like sushi, and it does taste like sushi, but better. Somehow, I always think that the korean counterpart is better. Like al-bab v.s. sushi. And like kimbab v.s. sushi too. I think it's because of sesame oil. And less vinegar. I like my rice less sour and more salty hahah.

We also ordered this seafood jjigae thing, and they have ddeok (rice cakes) inside and cheese (oh so good~~) and ramen and I don't know what else but it tastes so good. Any korean restaurant can whip up a delicious dish seriously. This is a small store tucked away in a quiet street with only one man who is the cashier, the waiter, the cook, and most probably also the boss. And with a seating capacity of at most 20 customers, but the food tastes so good~~~!

Me and my amazing stomach, and I managed to stuff another chicken skewer into my stomach. The sauce is so awesome, it looks like chicken satay though. And even though I am such a picky eater as in like I don't eat anything with skin, bones and fats (my favourite food is chicken breast meat hahahah) but I closed my eyes and ate all the fats and skins because it was just so good. Korea has trained my ability to take in more kinds of food so I think I am healthier now too because I get some healthy fats once in a while hahah.

I also met Sharon, my university friend, while shopping around. What a small world right! Anyway, I saw this shoe that I really like but it was like 35,000won which is about $40 and I really don't want to buy it because I don't think it's worth that price. So I searched all other shops in Edae but I still did not manage to find it. I thought usually Edae shops repeat the clothes and fashion but somehow this shoe doesn't appear anywhere else. Sadly, we left Edae and head to Namdaemun because it was nearly 5pm already.

We wanted to spend the night eating dinner in Namdaemun too, so it was so disappointing. I didn't know whether we came on a wrong day (Sunday), or whether it was raining that day or what, but half the stores were not open, the shopping malls around were all locked up and there were only that many people in that area. I thought we were at the wrong place and Okta didn't want to give up but we were standing right under the sign that says "Namdaemun Market". Oh but I am surprised because a shoe shop owner identified me straight as Singaporean. Because 1) Not many Koreans know about Singapore 2) How did he even know I am from Singapore!??!?!?!?

Anyway, there wasn't much food that fascinated us so Okta and I decide to head to Myeongdong (AGAIN, TOO LAZY TO COUNT WHICH TIME ALREADY) for dinner because Okta hasn't been there before. We had Bonjuk for dinner because it was a rainy day and a perfect day to have porridge. When the drizzle finally stopped, we started our shopping in Myeongdong!!!

Look at what I bought - cute Piglet socks!!! My guesthouse was so cold. Okay or maybe it's just me. And that I'm not used to sleeping in cold rooms. It was only 24 or 25 degree celsius but I always woke up shivering. And I have feet cramps a number of time so I thought getting socks will help, and it did!!!

I also bought this pair of lovely heels that Okta snagged for me. The shop was having a sales, and everything is going at 19,000won. But because I am not sure if I read correctly, I asked for the price and it was indeed 19,000won. (Although the owner sounded a bit irritated like I'm illiterate or smth hahah, but I think he was kinder after realising I'm not Korean - they can tell, my pronunciation is horrible.) This is like one size bigger than my usual size (235mm). And oh yes, they go by millimetres in Korea, I'm a size 7, and a 235mm, so check out your size beforehand or try a few sizes to find out yours. Okta really liked this and wanted it but it wasn't available in her size and she was grabbing to the shoe all the while because once she let it go, and other customer picked it up and she was so worried someone else will buy it away hahahah.

And I am so thankful to her for holding on to it firmly for me, because it is my favourite shoe now!! I was contemplating between this one and another one is navy and hotpink (which I miss very much now) and I decided to get this. I should have gotten both because when I went back the next time round, that shoe was gone. )))): If there is one thing I must buy in Korea, it is shoes. No wonder Korean girls go everywhere in heels. Their heels are so comfortable it feels as if I'm wearing flats.

Mind you, I ran in this 3.5" heels in the airport because we were running late for the plane. So you should know how worried and anxious and how fast we were running, and luckily I was wearing this shoe, if not I might have fell and twisted my ankle or smth if I was running in another pair of heels.

So, the takeaway of this post is that... get more heels (for girls) if you go to Korea!!!!!

Day 18: Spending the day alone

It's a brand new year. Sorry I have been busy with 알바 (part-time/holiday job) during December. But since it's a new year, I shall start updating again (though it's already five days from the new year). Anyway, happy 2014 to all! :DD

So, let's talk about day 18. Day 18 and 19 were the days and the first weekend which I had to be alone. The girls left to Jeju and since I had already been there before (and they are going to all those tourist attractions which I have already went), I decided to not waste the money again. I am a poor student who is extremely on budget, you see. So there I begin my solo trip.

Okay so I had to do the laundry before leaving the house, because we have this huge stack of clothes to be washed (and were accumulated over a few days already). And hey, we were partly helping to save water okay, though I do agree it is more like we are too lazy. My guesthouse had this rule that we are not allowed to use the washing machines from 8.30am to 1pm because that is the time that they need to wash the bedsheets and all other things. So... I had to wait till 1pm before I can use the laundry, and collect it nearly an hour later, and after hanging it to dry and everything, it was over 2pm when I left the house.

Proof of me doing the laundry

And so, I was planning to explore some quiet areas alone. Okay, partly because it was also the self-conscious me at work. I didn't want to hang out in areas that were too crowded because it made me feel even more alone, and it was so scary being alone like I feel people will judge me. Actually, come to think of it, being alone in a foreign land (and not understanding most of what the locals say) is the best time for me to just be myself, because I don't get to hear how they thought I was, but unfortunately, I was too busy being self-conscious.

Anyway, I found out about this place from a friend's blog (http://seoulotraveller.blogspot.sg/). She provides really useful information as well. So, after a bit of googling (while waiting for the laundry to be done), I decided to go to The National Folk Museum of Korea and Namsagol Hanok Village. Of which both are cultural sites AGAIN. I think I am really into cultural stuff, even though I might not think so. I was also planning to visit Samcheong-dong for some quiet time in a quaint cafe, since it was in the vicinity.

To get the the Folk Museum, first go to Gyeongbukgung. (Refer to directions in my previous post: http://lizsayseoul.blogspot.sg/2013/09/day-6-ancient-and-cultural-seoul.html) After that, you can follow the signs to get to the Folk Museum. I don't know if I take an extremely long way or what, but the walk was about 20 minutes long before I reached the Folk Museum. Okay, and technically speaking, I wasn't going to the Folk Museum. I was just visiting this oldies street that they have there that depicts life in the 1960's/70's.

All in all, this place, though a little small, was a nice place for you to walk down memory lane. Most of the shops don't look familiar to me, but it does look like this in dramas, and I really felt like I went back to the past. This coffee salon, in particular, is a functional cafe, that allows you to buy a cup of coffee from the vending machine (at only 300won = 40cents), and just sit down to chit chat. I really wanted to, except that I couldn't find a seat in this small place.

I decide to cross over to Samcheong-dong, which is supposedly opposite the Folk Museum. I turned rounds and rounds and spent half an hour walking and walking nonstop because I am not too sure if I was in the right place. I did see a number of cafes (Samcheong-dong is famous for rows and rows of cafes), but not rows and rows of them. They were countable with my ten fingers, so I thought I wasn't in the right place. I wanted to settle down anyhow but I didn't find that kind of quaint cafe which I like. So feeling disappointed, I left that place.

I was ahead by my schedule for a whole hour, because I predict that I will be sitting in a cafe for an hour. So while on the way back to the subway station, I decided to cross over to the King Sejong statue. Just in case you are interested, you can read all about King Sejong here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great. Wikipedia is our best friend hahah, along with Google. In short, I learnt that King Sejong is a wonderful and smart man who had many beneficial acts while he was the king, hence the name Sejong the Great. Also, he was the man who invented Hangeul, which is the Korean character/alphabet (before that, they borrowed Chinese characters) and I have to say that Hanguel is really easy to read and write, but of course the grammar and vocabulary and everything else is mad difficult.

Do not just think that you are there just to snap a picture of the statue of King Sejong. Behind this statue, there is an underpass. In this underpass, it shows you the history of Korea, and some of the beneficial acts of King Sejong and all the facts about him. Really shows how much respect Koreans have for him, and also I am amazed by Korea once again - I never expected an underpass below this statue. By the way, the underpass also links to the statue of Admiral Yi Sun Shin, so you can explore further. There are also booths in front of these two statues where you can try out costumes of generals and kings for a small amount (3,000won).

I then hurried to Namsangol Hanok Village. Having failed a similar hanok village (Bukchon Hanok Village) a week ago, I am not too sure whether Namsangol Hanok Village is able to surprise me. However, exactly because I failed to conquer Bukchon Hanok Village, I wanted to be here to conquer another hanok village. It was also highly recommended by my friend Saiful.

Namsangol Hanok Village, in comparison, is a quaint quiet place. It features five restored traditional Korean houses (hanoks), a pavilion, a pond and a time capsule. To get to Namsangol Hanok Village, get off at Chungmuro Station (Exit 4), turn 180 degrees and walk for a few minutes before turning left at the cafes. It is hidden among tall buildings so you may not see it at first sight, but a rare traditional area is still quite obvious within modern buildings, so just pay slightly more attention.

In Namsangol Hanok Village, you get to watch traditional wedding ceremonies, traditional Korean plays, and also try on hanboks (traditional korean costumes) for a small price. It's a pity I didn't get to know about the hanbok trying session here, but anyway I didn't have anyone who could help me snap a picture too. Woes of a solo traveller.

After rounding up all the places I wanted to go (some was a success, some quite a failure), I ended up back in Myeongdong. Myeongdong is my comfort place, I really love that place, I will explain it much later in another post. So I was really craving for Japanese curry rice for two whole weeks and that was the day I decided to satisfy my craving and headed to Saboten for dinner. I think it was weird to eat alone because Koreans love big groups and they don't really eat alone but the food was too nice for me to bother after a while. I also wanted to drink Gongcha (bubble tea that reminds me of home) but the queue was crazily long and I wasn't confident enough to order a drink where I had to indicate so many preferences so I gave up (even before trying).

I ended the night searching for DVDs and checking out their prices for Lissya at one of the two underground KPOP shops in Myeongdong subway station. I also bought this SHINee 2014 calendar, which was nothing but useless, because it only listed down all the dates, without even indicating if it was a Sunday or Monday. ZzZzzzZzzzzZ I hate impractical stuff but at 5,000KRW and also the fact that it has really nice pictures of SHINee, I decided to close one eye.

Preview of next post: Shopping with Okta!