Sisters in Korea, Fun in Daejeon

After a long, enjoyable weekend in Seoul, we made it back to Daejeon. Showing her around the city and the school that I work at was a lot of fun. The city is composed of big buildings, traffic, and other other usual city stuff. However, there are also some peaceful areas (actually tons of relaxing areas). We have some great memories exploring! 

One of my students took us to this beautiful area below during my lunch break from work. 

My student and friend, Stella

Here is Stella walking through the wooded area to the lake with the beautiful view.

We had fun making shadow photos and also went out to eat to "Ashley's American Grill," which actually isn't that American.  It is one of my favorite restaurants though and Chel enjoyed it.

We had an experience at a Vietnamese-Japanese Fusion restaurant, called Shabu Hyang. This is also one of my favorite restaurants.  I had to take her to the best places I could recommend!

We visited the Daejeon Dunsan Prehistoric Park.

 During my sister's visit, the city was getting ready for Buddha's Birthday. Check out the lanterns.

 We visited the botanical gardens in the city.

I took her to one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Korea. It definitely has a Korean twist.

Honey on the pizza and chocolate on the pasta--surprisingly really delicious! 

Tiramisu :)

We visited another one of my favorite restaurants. Basically, you get a hot stone bowl filled with rice and some veggies, then you add as much as you want of all these little side dishes. The side dishes are many different kinds of vegetables combining with various sauces and seasonings. I love this meal! Chelsey enjoyed it as well :)

 This drink below is called shikhye or shikeh. It is a traditional Korean rice drink. Amazing!!

 Here below is the jimjilbang experience! The room you see right below is a hot room for relaxing. 

 This is the door into the Ice room. Yes. You read that right.  After sweating in each of the hot rooms you can visit this room to cool down.  It is very cold with ice literally all over.

During her time here we had many wonderful cultural experiences together and spent lots of quality time. I love learning something new every single day in Korea and I feel blessed that my sister and I could share this opportunity.  

Sisters in Korea, Adventures in Seoul

"Woohoo my sister is coming to Korea!!"  This was my thought for weeks before her arrival. Then the day she was coming, I couldn't believe it was true. After many months of not seeing her, she was going to be HERE, in KOREA, with me.  It wasn't reality...then she walked through the security door! After a few long hugs and discussions about reality, we called Mom to let her know Chelsey made it safely. Then we headed out to catch up and squeeze as many adventures as possible into so little time!  

We stayed with my friend Mia's parents in Seoul. It was definite culture shock for my sis on her first weekend in Korea. Staying in a traditional home can be much different from homes in the States.  They opened their home to us though, which was a blessing and a good experience for us. The next day we attended church and then we visited an awesome park with a bit of hiking and a beautiful view. Here we are :)

The park is like many parks in Korea, filled with non electronic exercise equipment.  Working out in the midst of nature is wonderful!

Those of you who have looked at my blog have seen similar pics from when I first arrived here. Here is the therapeutic rock bed! Yes, if you are not used to this, it will hurt! OUCH!

Here is a red clay barefoot walking trail! Very cool and comforting on your feet.

Walking around the city of Seoul

These robot creatures are outside many stores as a way of advertising...or not depending on who you are. They move and dance around!

We met Koreans who wanted to take a picture with a foreigner for a photo scavenger hunt. Chelsey, being more of the foreigner got her picture taken and we chatted with them for a bit.  It was a pretty funny experience!

Crowded subway experience

We visited a Catholic cathedral for Mass. It was a cultural experience for sure. All of the Mass was in Korean, but I could understand some of the responses. 

We went to a Korean traditional village, as a part of a Seoul City Bus Tour.

Fried potatoes with cheese and onion powder on them! YUM!

We visited one of many palaces in the city. 

This is an open air traditional tea shop. We had delicious tea and snacks. 

After many fun adventures in Seoul, we took a train back to Daejeon, the area where I live. Stay tuned....

The Most Unique Aquarium I've Ever Seen

  The title says it all! Korea has some creative ideas I've never thought of. I have mixed views on what I saw. The aquarium in Seoul is quite unique.  You will see why. It starts out with fish tanks similar to that of American aquariums. It wasn't until I walked further through the exhibits that I experienced something new.

Look closely at the pictures! Yes. The fish are inside a little tank in drink machines. Oh, and, yes, that is The Little Mermaid in case you were wondering!

Wasn't expecting the next few sites either. They had an exhibit showing the interior of a house.  I was definitely taken by surprise to see a LIVING fish in a toilet bowl. I questioned, "Why is that fish in a toilet?" This makes me think of many sad stories of what takes place at a fish's death. :(  

For real, there are fish in a fish-shaped sink with water running! "What is going on here?" you may say. Like I said, not what I would expect to see at an aquarium.

 "Fish are friends, not food." At least these little guys are not for food!

Hard to see, but there are fish inside this washer. I am a bit concerned about the fish in this environment. 

We left the house exhibit and enter more, "natural" exhibits.  We saw many beautiful species native to many parts of the world.

 I just had to share this sign! I thought it was hilarious! Fish are not for petting.

 Schools of fish above my head

After we experienced many ocean animals in a semi natural environment, we visited the penguins.  This was at the end of the aquarium path. The penguins live in quite the habitat! They can even enjoy some TV shows when they are tired of "people watching."

As I said, it was a very "unique" experience!