My Korea Trip Journal: Day 6

Yesterday having a very exciting day and have to make tough decision today! Thinking about it make me wanna lay more on my bed. ㅋㅋㅋ I kept looking at my phone! No sound today, no katalk message from my closed friend.. what should I do?? Should I text him? but I haven't make up my mind yet!! Didn't he worry about me? All those appear on my mind!

Still, I'm lying on my bed with 2 layers of comforter. It's 11 a.m.. Then my phone ringing! Katalk message! Owhh my!! What should I do?? I look at it and my friend asking how am I doing? and about the decision. I told him let's just go to the museum. I'm not yet ready to meet his mom.ㅠㅠ I'm really scared of her first impression on me! He kept asking me, am I sure about my decision, because this is the first and last time he will mentioned about it. I firm with my decision, about going to the museum. I don't wanna to trouble his mom to drive me for a long distance.

I get ready and I bring something for his mom. I don't wanna her to feel offended, so I hope my gift will at least left good impression to her. I slowly walk to the subway station. I saw him waiting for me patiently, on my mind was "Am I making a good decision??" "Did his mom or he feel offended because I'm refused to meet??" 

Slowly I approached him with a smile, then he gave me something. "This is for you, mom gave to you." At that time, I was @_@!!! I refused her offer yet she still giving me something!!! It's impolitely to not even greet her. I change my mind! I told him let's meet your mom! He asked me "are you sure?" I said yes but not for whole day please! He told me "I think if we meet mom, for sure mom will wanna drive us to somewhere, perhaps Jeonju?" I was like?? can we just meet her for a while?? On my mind was "from Gwangju to Jeonju takes approximately 2 hours, then having lunch, going around.. hmm took so many hours! She will see everything in me! T.T I am so scared!

He called his mom telling about my decision.His mom told him that its ok, no need to meet if it only for simple greeting. On my mind was "did his mom feel offended?" Owhh No!!! Then I explain to him about my culture. At last he understand it and called his mom again. ㅋㅋㅋ He explain to his mom and his mom agree to meet. Weee ^^ We wait for his mom on the side road.

About 10 minutes later, his mom arrived. I suddenly felt panic!ㅋㅋㅋ He open the door and get in the car, as I enter the car, automatically I'm saying "안녕하십니까" (anyeong hasimikka) (polite way) His mom replied as well smile. ^^ We've been quiet for a while.. I don't know what shall I tell her. ㅋㅋㅋ She asked my friend why am I being so quiet?? My friend told me to talk anything, he will translate it into Korean. Only then I start to talk.ㅋㅋㅋ Unfortunately I can't even remember what I'm talking about with her..ㅋㅋㅋ

We decided to have lunch together and later his mom will drop us to the museum. His mom really wanna take me somewhere but I says "it's ok, at least we met and I am happy for this gathering". ^^ We had our lunch at traditional restaurant. I had fish and its taste so nice!! Back at Malaysia I don't eat fish much but at Korea, I love it!!ㅋㅋㅋ His mom even pull the fish bone out for me!! A very nice lady!!! We start to feel comfortable with each other. ^^ We snap some pictures but unfortunately I can't attach it here ㅠㅠas I wanna secured their privacy. :)

Since I walked a lot and sit in a very manners way, I had leg cramp!T.T I don't know what to do, so I just massage my leg for a while..When his mom saw it his mom even massage my leg!!I felt embarrassed and guilty!Supposedly I'm the one massage her leg but it turn out to be like this! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ. I am very grateful to meet her! ^^ My friend told her that I had adopted mom at Singapore, then she told me " from now on you have family in Korea too!" You can be my adopted daughter. Such an honor for me! ^^ 

Then she drop us near to the museum, we have a last hug!ㅠㅠ She kept telling me to come again to Gwangju and let's go to Jeju together! I will someday! ^^ Then me and my friend went to Biennale Museum. For more information you can read it here.We had a very nice sightseeing in the museum. It's getting dark, so we decided to have our last dinner. We finally found one nice restaurant. Again having fish!!ㅋㅋㅋ

After finish our dinner, we went home. As usual he sent me home and as a farewell gift, he bought me a packet of grape! Our favorite!ㅋㅋㅋ Spending 2 and half days with him really makes me hard to say goodbye! We had so much fun together! I wish someday I will come again to Gwangju and meeting my Korea family! ^^ As I come in my guesthouse, I saw a familiar face!! A Sri Lankan guy! I thought he left and went to other province but he's back here again! ㅋㅋㅋ. I also saw two new face at our guesthouse, Korean guys. 

Since I was too tired, I didn't bother much ㅋㅋㅋ, I had a short conversation with the house owner. Then I went to my room. I try to pack my bag as I'm leaving tomorrow morning, to Busan. However I don't know how to pack!!ㅋㅋㅋ  Then I kept getting inbox message at my facebook. It was from that Sri Lankan guy, keep asking what am I doing inside room??? He told me to come to living room and talking with them. At first I refused but since I kept getting inbox so I go out.ㅋㅋ We had a conversation at living room. One of Korean guy were busy playing guitar, another one is watching TV. 

Then I went inside my room again. After a while I thought they might went inside their room so I can use computer. When I go out, I saw one of Korean guy using the computer, so I asked him to help me looking for a bus schedule to Busan for tomorrow. He check it and explain to me, even draw the duration for me!! ㅋㅋㅋ. Wanna know what happen tomorrow?? Did I reach Busan safely??? See you in next entry then! ^^**

Gift from my adopted mom ^^

our lunch! Super yummy!!!!

Biennale 2013 ticket 

an owl?? 

Color therapy

Our last dinner ㅠㅠ

Farewell gift ㅠㅠ

p/s:I'm glad she love my gift!^^ I missed my adopted family! I wish to meet them again someday! ^^

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 5

Even though I slept quite late last night but I woke up early as I'm excited to go to Damyang Park! At first I've plan to go with my Seoul friend (my room mate) then I got katalk from my closed friend asking whether I'm already going out or not. Since I just woke up of course I'm not ready yet ㅋㅋㅋ so he told me that he had woke up late and not going to academy! He told me let's go to So Saewon, similar place to Damyang Bamboo Forest but a little bit smaller. I agreed and get ready to go out. ^^

Then he katalk me again and told me since its quite late, "lets just go to Damyang Bamboo Forest instead!" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ! so I met him at usual place and we walk to U-Square, he bought the bus ticket and without checking it, we just hop on into bus! Since I travel with local people I didn't aware much however we get on the wrong bus!! ㅋㅋㅋ!! Super funny! we end up somewhere, and he even never been to that place! OK-Gwa terminal! We get off the bus and he asking to the driver. Hahah! We completely go to the wrong direction! Opposite direction!ㅋㅋㅋ

He bought another ticket and kept blaming himself!ㅋㅋㅋ I told him that's was ok and today we really become traveler. ㅋㅋㅋ .After about 20 minutes we reach Damyang, since its Sunday the place were full with people. We walking and snap some pictures. This is my first time surrounding by bamboo forest! It's feel good!! ^^ We do have bamboo back home but we didn't have bamboo forest like this. ㅠㅠ

Since I'm wearing hijabb and we were in rural city, I become center of attraction!! LOL! I'm walking with my Korean friend so most of them wonder about it I guess! ㅋㅋㅋ At one point I told my friend, its because I'm different so people were curious about me! lol Then we tried bamboo ice cream?? First ice cream I had in Korea?? The taste is like strawberry ice cream though may be we got a wrong flavor? ㅋㅋ

Then we went to the bamboo cultural village, here we saw how they paint handmade fan, making hanji papers craft and so on. We had our break here since too tired?? ㅋㅋㅋ After a while we continue and we decide to go to other place. We thought we finished cover the area so we sign the guestbook, however the lady (person in charge) told my friend to bring me to Metasequoia Street. We walk there and at half point my friend told me that he's not sure where the place is.. So we decided to go back and since its going to take almost an hour I need to fresh up myself.

Finish fresh up myself, he told me "since we were here and I'm not sure when you going to come to Gwangju again why don't we just give a try? Let's go to Metasequoia Street? and I wanna let you taste the bamboo bread (빵).I agreed and we start walking again, finally we reach the place. We try to look for the bamboo bread but it seems not available! Quite starving as we didn't have our lunch yet, so he bought donut. The donut box was very cute and the sugar that coated the donut also colorful?ㅋㅋㅋ Then when we were walking along the street we saw the bamboo bread!ㅋㅋㅋ He wanna buy for me but since we already got one box of donut, I told him no need. hehe.

After strolling and taking some pictures, we decided to go home, we try to get a cab however at that hours no cab around ㅠㅠ, so we decided to walk from Metasequoia Street to Damyang bus station. We saw sunset while walking. Very nice experience! ^^ but its getting colder too! ㅠㅠ We walked closed since it was very cold and when we were near to the town, something happen!! I am very scared of dogs! As Muslim, we cannot raised a dog so I get very scared when I saw them.

At first I just heard dog barking! I asked him, "is there many stray dog at Korea?" He told me not much, I think that's inside property. So we kept walking, but then I heard that dog barking was very near to us. I asked him again and at that time I look forward and backward. No dogs. However I didn't realize that the dog is actually next to me!! It was small dog, puppy?? When I saw it I was like became a statue!! Don't know what to do! and that puppy seems happy to see me and was trying to jump on me!!! (I think that dog wanna play with me!) On my mind was like! Ohh My!!!!! Feel wanna cry! ㅠㅠ. Seeing I'm panic, my friend pull me closed to him and to the other direction and chased the dog away. Pheww!! I was like! Die for a second??? LOL

He kept asking if I'm doing fine. ㅋㅋㅋ Since it was so cold and I just had shocking experience I guess I catch cold! Hahha!! All the way inside the bus, I just sleeping on his shoulder?? I also have no idea how come it turn out to be like that?? ㅋㅋㅋ Whenever I woke up, he kept told me to sleep again and put my head on his shoulder! ㅋㅋㅋ Then we reach Gwangju, we tried to look for the vegetarian restaurant but we can't find it!! We kept searching for it until he gave up! ㅋㅋㅋ He called his mom asking for some information and we went to his neighborhood area to look for vegetarian restaurant. We reach there unfortunately the restaurant closed!!!

What a..! ㅋㅋㅋ He called his mom again and he told me let's just go to his house. His mom offered to cook for us. I was like @_@!! I never meet any of Korean friend mom, so I'm panic! Hahha! I told him lets just go look for other vegetarian restaurant. We went to the city, Songmoo (some sort of Gangnam area if it were in Seoul) We went around few times looking for a restaurant! LOL After a while we found the restaurant!!ㅋㅋㅋ Seafood restaurant! There we ate kalguksu. ^^ Finally we had our first proper meal for today! Wee ^^

After finish, we grab some coffee. (I become coffee addicted at Korea)!! We chat for a while and heading home. On the way home I'm not feeling well and decided to cancel my plan to Jeju. ㅠㅠ I'm not 100% in good condition and I have no friend at Jeju. I save Jeju for next time ^^. When I reach home, he katalk me, saying that his mom wanna meet me personally! Again, I was like!! @_@!!! His mom offered to drive me somewhere even to Jeonju or Suncheon but just me alone, without her son! I was very nervous and can't give him the answer. ㅋㅋㅋ. He told me to think about it and let him know tomorrow morning. My mind was blank! LOL I don't even know when I fall asleep!. Wonder what was my answer??? See you in the next entry! ^^* ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Our first bus (goes wrong direction) ㅋㅋㅋ

second bus

Damyang Bamboo Park ticket

Damyang Bamboo Park

Bamboo Ice Cream??

Metasequoia Street

Donut's box

Hollys Coffee ^^

p/s: Since we were too starving, cold and so tired, we forgot to snap our dinner pictures! ㅋㅋㅋ What a fantastic day!! Most memorable day during my 2013 Korea Trip!! ㅋㅋㅋ ^^*

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 4

I had a fun night with my adopted mom ^^ even though it was short! ^^ Long time ago I wished we strolled 3 of us together at Seoul, me, my adopted mom and how should I address him?? Ex-siblings? sounds funny!ㅋㅋㅋ Ahah ex-bf I guess sounds better! lol. Well don't get me wrong I didn't regret about it, just sometimes those memories come back to me.ㅋㅋㅋ Anyway I'm very happy now, with my life and my new love! ^^~

My fourth day journey begun early, as I'm heading somewhere, far from Seoul ^^ Owh I still didn't reveal where I'm heading to right?? Hahhah! Well I'm going to Gwangju to visit one of my closed friend there. ^^ Excited and nervous at the same time!ㅋㅋㅋ Before I left I had to say goodbye to my two room mate ㅠㅠ, as one of them will back to Japan and another one will heading to another city. We finish our goodbye by taking selca three of us at 6:00 a.m!! LOL! Then before heading to Gwangju I went somewhere around Seoul to meet another friend. ^^

It's Saturday and we were meeting at 8:00 a.m!ㅋㅋㅋ! very early isn't it?? Pity him need to wake up early even though he's not working today. LOL! I'm still sleepy while I'm on the way to ride my subway! ㅋㅋㅋ I checked it twice then I just ride in. I'm not sure though! Hahhah! so I ask person next to me! Even its still early lots of people already ride subway,some of them working some might just hang out with family members??

Person sat next to me is ajumma, she's can't speak in English at all but we still managed to communicate with each other!ㅋㅋㅋ She asked someone next to her for confirmation. Then they told me that I'm on right track. Pheww!! Earlier I ride LINE 2 and changed at Euljiro 4(sa)-ga to LINE 5 (purple line). This purple line have two routes, one to Sangil-dong, another one to Macheon. 

I need to get off at Olympic Park, so when I heard an announcement I prepared to get out however ajumma (person sat next to me) told me not yet, this is not the station!! She thought I'm going to Macheon instead!LOL!! I don't know how to explain to her. I just remember few Korean words ㅠㅠ so I gave a try saying this " 친구 기다리야" (my friend waiting for me here). ㅋㅋㅋ so funny! and people were staring at me! I guess they quite surprised hearing me know how to speak Korean?? or my Korean were so bad??!  I think the second one! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Then I get off and looking for my friend.I met him and we walking together to the Olympic Park. Early in the morning and having a fresh air motivate me!! ^^ Since both of us having our DSLR, today theme is photo shooting day!! We snap a lot of pictures! Due to short time, we couldn't finish touring all over Olympic Park, we just went to 7 part of it, includes meeting plaza,rose garden, sculpture park, global village park, national flags plaza, peace plaza,  and World Peace Gate. Then we heading to subway station and went to Yongsan Station.

Once we reach at Yongsan Station, first thing we did is to make sure the correct platform that for my KTX at 13:20. We plan to had our lunch but unfortunately we can't find any good restaurant there. We just tour inside the Yongsan Station (some sort of shopping plaza) and finally I found a place to grab something. ^^ I was shocked at first, because this chain cafe is originally from my country! I never thought we have branch at Seoul!!! I told my friend "lets try this! I think its different compare to what we had in my country." When we step in and saw the menu, it is!! Back home we only got plain version of this bun/bread (빵) but at Seoul inside the bun, they put something else! They even have two different version! Curry and coconut paste! The original version is plain rotiboy! Owhh I forgot to tell the chain cafe name earlier right?? ㅋㅋㅋ! It's Rotiboy!

We just grab plain rotiboy and Americano. We had our snack and chat for a while. We realized that's its already 12:45! so we heading to my platform! Still have few minutes left so he snap some pictures of me at the platform. ㅋㅋㅋ Then we got on KTX, he help me to carry my bag pack and looking for my seat. Then we separated. This journey will take about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Next to me is a guy whose in military duty. He didn't know to speak in English well but I guess he understand what I'm talking about. ㅋㅋㅋ I just told him "if I fall asleep and we reach the station please wake me up". lol! ^^~~ 

Then we reach at Gwangju Songjeong Station, he promised to help me as I never been here and have no idea about rural area in Korea! I know Gwangju is number 6 metropolitan city in Korea but different area,different people! When we reach there, his girlfriend was waiting for him, from her expression I know that she's surprise to see me!ㅋㅋㅋ. Don't get me wrong! I just asking for his help,ㅋㅋㅋ after he explain to her then they guide me on how to buy Gwangju subway ticket. (T-Money not working here!) ㅠㅠ They even put 200 won for me as I got no coin! lol, what a nice couple! ^^ Then they show me which path should I take :) Sadly I didn't snap any picture with them! ㅠㅠ

Then I ride subway and get off at Ssangchon Station. I come out at Exit 4 and walk straight until I saw the blue bridge, and turn left. After 5 minutes walking I saw my guesthouse! Wee ^^ I made it!! I stay at Namdo hostel. There, I make new friend! She's from Seoul and traveling alone too! Then we went to Gwangju downtown to find a place to eat. Both of us starving! ㅋㅋㅋ. We managed to find the restaurant and become vegetarian again?? lol. Owh the food is!!! 맛있다!supper yummy!! Then we grab some coffee before heading home! 

About to reach our hostel, I got katalk from my closed friend, telling me that he just got home. After katalk for a while we decided to meet as tomorrow he's having class. Well its new city and I'm not really familiar but I told myself  " I can do it! I've travel so far!" so I go out alone and met him at the subway station. ^^ We went to U-Square (bus terminal) He showed me around, how to buy ticket and platform as I ll go to Damyang alone or with my new friend (she's from Seoul) tomorrow.

Then we took cab and went to some other place, he plan to show me one park. He always exercise there but it was too late! The park closed! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ so we heading to DropTop cafe (coffee house) in front of the park and we talk a lot of things there while enjoying our coffee! ^^

Charlie's Angel??

Near to Olympic park

World Peace Gate

My friend

KTX ticket

Gwangju Subway ticket/token

My new friend ^^

Droptop Cafe

p/s: I don't know why my droptop cafe picture turn to be like that! Grrrr.. That night I can't slept well as I'm having THREE cup of coffee in one day?? ㅋㅋㅋ

My Korea Trip Journal: Day 3

Lets continue my journey! ^^ Its's my third day at Seoul. My room mate from Busan, she finish her volunteer service today and will going back to her hometown.ㅠㅠ Even though we know each other for a short period but it's sad to see she's leaving. I gave her a packet of nutmeg/ dried fruit I brought from home. I wish she will always remember me! ^^ She gave me two combination ticket to the palace! Wow! I'm such a lucky girl and yes I plan to visit those palace with my friend today!^^

I plan to meet my friend at 10:00 a.m at Jonggak Station but I'm a bit late ㅠㅠ so we met around 10:30 a.m there. We chat for a while then we heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace. From Jonggak station we just walking to the palace. We passing by Insa-dong, then we heading to Samcheongdong to the palace. Samcheongdong alley is very famous for its ideal location according to the principles of feng-shui. Here you can see beautiful hanok (traditional Korean house), distinctive cafe's and accessory shop.

After about 8-10 minutes walking, we reach the Gyeongbukgung Palace. We go around and snap a lots of photos. Even it was Friday, the palace were full house!! Then at afternoon there is changing guard ceremony and I managed to see the ceremony live!^^ Before this I just saw it on Youtubeㅋㅋㅋ. You can watch its video below. ^^ Then we heading to another palace which is Changdeokgung. This palace was the principle palace for many Joseon Kings.

Before we enter this palace, we met with my friend younger sister. She joined us and we were really enjoyed accompany each other. ^^ She is cute and nice girl. :) At certain point of this palace we need to hike! Owhhh!! Really tiring as it's been so long since my last exercising??ㅋㅋㅋ. Along the way, we saw a very spectacular view of foliage! ^^ Then after we finish the palace we were looking for a restaurant. Since I am Muslim and cannot eat meat (not slaughtered in Islamic way) we choose vegetarian for our lunch.ㅋㅋㅋ After my friend sister making few phone call finally we find the restaurant. Wee ^^

Actually its not really a restaurant, its a temple stay around Jongno. (Can't remember the place name) ㅠㅠ Everything were based on vegetarian menu. Here I had  dubu beoseosjeon gol (두부버섯전골 ) as my lunch. Its a mushroom and tofu stew. After we finish our lunch, my friend's sister need to go home so we separated there. Then my friend and I went to Yongsan Station to buy my KTX ticket for tomorrow plan. Wonder where I'm heading to?? It's secret! Hahhah!!Wait for my next entry ok? :P  We chat for a while then we heading home.

I reach at my guesthouse early. All my room mate were still outside. Finish shower I get a text from my adopted mom asking where I am. Hahha! Quite busy been around here and there until I forgot to reply my adopted mom text!ㅋㅋㅋ. I get ready and met her at Ehwa station. We live nearby, I mean I live at Malaysia and she live at Singapore but we met at Seoul??? Too far??@_@ !! Well both of us love Seoul so much!ㅋㅋㅋ. My adopted mom met her both adopted kids in Seoul however I choose not to meet him. Hahah! Past is past, I just hope everyone is happy, that's all ^^.

Combination Ticket

Samcheongdong 

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Changing Guard Ceremony

Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace

My lunch (밥)

두부버섯전골

p/s: I didn't snap any pictures with my adopted mom! T.T 

Sources: http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/whereToShop/whereToShop.jsp?action=about&cid=995817

              http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264348

Photo Credit: tiniglesias.com