breakfast stories: A Long Time Dream

"When you want something, all the world conspires to help you achieve it."

-- Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Since I was a child, it has been my dream to travel the world, and the first stop? Korea.

Please allow me to say, that it is indeed a 'dream come true'.

When I was in high school, that was like 4 years ago I think, I was supposed to attend an investigatory project in research at Seoul but since then getting a visa was not an easy thing to do. It was December which means there should have been a snow, but that did not happen. I was saddened, of course. I told myself that in the future, I would work so hard in order to pay myself to go on travelling to Korea. Sophomore College when I indulged myself with too much Korean stuffs like K-Drama, K-pop, and the Sparkling magazine. My dream of going to Korea intensified. If you have seen my tumblr during those times, you would see my posts like "someday, i'll see you" and a gif of Seoul. Sept 2015, my mom attended a seminar at Singapore, and she said that the next convention will be held at Korea, and the registration is free! Therefore I can go, if I want to! June, July and first week of August, I and my mom had a hard time looking for my passport because we transferred to a new residence. We almost gave up. She thinks that I am not meant to go to Korea. But one lovely day in August, she found it! Of course the process of applying for visa was really hard because we needed a lot of supervision for it. But Sept 6, my mom texted me the best message ever. "We're going to KOREA!!!"

Sept 15 12nn we arrived at KR. It was a long way from Incheon to Seoul but the good thing about it was their bus had English translation for every location. One thing I really admire about korean people is that, they're really, i mean really, patriotic. They (most of them) do not bother to learn any language, but theirs.

Here's the Lotte World (department) that I only see in Peppero packs.

By far the most delicious restaurant we went to. I don't know its name and I don't understand a single thing because anyway we had a translator. Thanks to Ate Joy.

Streets in Korea are clean! There's no pollution, no traffic. I loved how disciplined the people are. When the traffic light is red, the vehicles stop even though there are no pedestrians crossing.

Korail. Our daily endeavor. Unending walks and train rides. Their reloading machine is automatic and by automatic means all that you think about automatic. And the app SubWay Korea is indeed alot of help. We never got lost despite how big Seoul is.

Jeondae/Everland. It was super far from where we stayed and that meant we had to stand (in the train) for almost an hour. Good thing I did not buy a boots with high heels.

My favorite part in Everland, behold!

I really did not expect that I'd be able to see an actual panda! And guess what, not just one, but two! (Couple, of course. Duh) which means, another check in the bucketlist! hehe. I almost cried, btw. You know how I love pandas.

At Gyeongbukgong palace where some dramas were set. It was really hot and I was lazy to hang around. Sorry.

That's how sunny it was.

Yep, it's white sand.

cute girlz under a cherry blossom tree, taking selfies

Outside the palace, we opt for a streetfood. I tried the famous ball of fluff!

MYEONGDONG

By far the busiest place in Seoul. If you would ask, yes, it was a nice, clean place. So many merchandise and not that expensive. I saw beauty shops everywhere. I entered a shop named "Lush" and they sell bath bombs and there, I met a friend, she speaks English well.

after that day, I had some relaxing moment at the guesthouse and used my bath bomb. hehe #feelingtired but #feelingfresh

DONGDAEMUN CULTURAL AND HERITAGE PARK

Dongdaemun is really a memorable place for us. And I think it should remain to us alone, lol

I really love the architectural design of this building. I'll upload the video on youtube soon.

N Seoul Plaza/Tower

My kind of place.

by day | by night

We had a hard time going to this place because we can't understand the direction whether which bus to take. Good thing I had a very critical mind hehe kidding. Thanks to the people.

At myeongdong we stand by the waiting area for bus stop and there you will see the bus routes which are in hangul but there's one direction with a translation, you just have to familiarize the alphabet.

city view.

The convention venue was at The-K Hotel. We met a friend name DaeYeong and he was really enthusiastic with helping us when we were late with the bus ride. He was the one to call the next bus. And when we were at the train station, we also found him because it so happened that he also stays in Hoegi. Korean people are the warmest hosts :)

The only autumn leaves I found. Fall was only starting that time and leaves are still green. Anyway, I brought home a variety of leaves I got from Korea.

Here are pictures of the food served during the fine dining. The specialty menu of Korea is bibimbap and I'm really sorry that it wasn't the kind of food I eat. I am fond of spicy foods but the people I'm with are not, so I had to learn the korean word for 'not spicy' which is 'an maewo', thanks to the waiter and the app I downloaded.