One of my favorite things about life abroad is the opportunity to run into friends in unexpected places. Not long after I arrived in Korea, I had a chance to catch up with my good friend and former coworker, Lisa, who traveled from Shanghai for a weekend. A week after that, my college friend Bibi flew in from Osaka. What timely excuses for Seoul explorations!
I drove into the city with some nice people from work who took me to lovely neighborhoods in Seoul. I loved Samcheongdong’s tree-lined paths, converted hanok houses, quiet alleyways and hidden cafes, and shops full of little knicknacks.
I suppose this is Motherland, after all.
Walking past Insadong, towards Samcheongdong.
Me and Bibi, captured on my phone.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
― Anaïs Nin
18 Comments
Rina
July 16, 2013 at 4:43 amI love the contrast between this post and the previous one; from the countryside to the city. I wonder if it’s just a coincidence, or if I am overanalyzing things ( ;
Is that green stuff shaved ice? perfect for the summer. Even though you’re in the city, I still mange to see bits of greenery in the photos. I especially love those vines growing on the buildings.
kind of magical~
♥♥
Sewon
July 17, 2013 at 10:07 pmI think you’re right, Rina. My life here in the mountains is certainly so different from city life. And yes, that’s green tea bingsoo (shaved ice dessert)…there was sweet beans and other things hidden inside! <3
memtree
July 16, 2013 at 5:39 amwhat lovely photos! hope you’re settling back in well 🙂
Sewon
July 17, 2013 at 10:07 pmThank you! 🙂
Gabby
July 16, 2013 at 11:03 pmNice photos as always and what a great journey you have! I particularly love that Anais Nin’s quote, for that is exactly one quote my friend gave me before we parted ways. I cannot wait to see the rest of your adventure!
Sewon
July 17, 2013 at 10:08 pmWhat a lovely quote to give to a friend as a parting gift. The adventure is just unfolding! 🙂
Parisa Mahmoudi
July 17, 2013 at 5:02 amWow, the pics are wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are so lucky that you can travel every where you like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Sewon
July 17, 2013 at 10:08 pmThank you, Parisa! You, too, can go anywhere you want. 🙂
SARA
July 18, 2013 at 6:13 amSuch beauty in this photos 🙂
i’m reading Anais Nin right now and this is sure a wonderful and true quote… My favorite thig in the workd is to introduce friends so they can start another friendship and new things are born from that connection!
Sewon
July 22, 2013 at 9:22 pmWhat a lovely habit of introducing friends! 🙂
ai
July 18, 2013 at 7:49 amDo people there also use parasols/umbrellas to stay away from the sun? A French woman traveling Japan said during some TV interview that it’s crazy, so it kind of got me thinking if it’s just us. Also I don’t think I’ve ever seen cats in Seoul!
Sewon
July 22, 2013 at 9:25 pmI don’t see women carrying parasols as much as I saw in Japan, but most of the women seem sensitive about the sun and wear big hats. I just wear my sunglasses and I don’t mind the sun as much. I’ve noticed quite a few cats in Seoul, but mostly in random places like markets or neighborhood alleys. 🙂
Winnie
July 21, 2013 at 4:49 amOh wow, these photos make me want to visit Seoul more than ever. The food and candid shots are really lovely Sewon!
Sewon
July 22, 2013 at 9:26 pmI’m glad you like them, Winnie! 🙂
Matthew Pike
July 22, 2013 at 11:36 amReally enjoyed your images, the bridge is a stunner. What’s the green bowl stuff?
Sewon
July 22, 2013 at 9:27 pmIt’s a bowl of shaved ice dessert called bingsoo. The ice was made out of green tea and there was sweet red bean hidden in the layers. 🙂
Karen Robinson
July 23, 2013 at 8:43 amIs it just me or does that coffee and waffle cafe look like the Korean version of Waffle House?
Ceri
August 2, 2013 at 4:07 amI’m so excited so be in Korea and visit Seoul next year.