Shoes that fit!!!!!

Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited"

Soundtrack to my delight at a PAYLESS SHOE SOURCE in Myeongdong. Turns out the company is expanding the brand to Asia and we're getting 6 locations in Korea!!! No idea where the other locations are, but I'm sure they'll pop up soon enough. This location's only been open 2 months. 

It was fantastic boots/heels/sneakers with Western sizes as far as the eye could see (3 floors)! The boots were also on sale. I even bought a couple pairs of boots for the bestie. 

The employees were super nice, helpful and had a fair amount of English ability. Plus, WESTERN SIZES. I now have cute boots that actually fit. No more squeezing into size 8 anymore!

Directions: Look left when walking down the main road out exit 6. Should be the second street. 

So Myeongdong is increasingly becoming my favourite area. It's a western shopping mecca. 2 H&Ms, Zara, Uniqlo and Forever 21. Unfortunately, the M Plaza that houses 21 and Zara was undergoing construction, so it was closed. 

I got there pretty late so I went in search of food. I wasn't in the mood for Korean anything so I walked around and around. I ended up in the Noon Square mall for some eats. I ended up on the 6th floor at Smokey Saloon. The burger was amazing, real cheese and actual bacon! The onion rings were a little greasy, but overall delicious and great for sharing. Turns out there's several other locations: Itaewon and Gangnam. 

Side Bar: I headed straight to Myeongdong after my work meet and greet. I took the long way and it took 75 minutes. That included waiting time, so I think I'm in a good position to venture into Seoul at a reasonable time. Next up: Project Eggs Benedict.


*UPDATE
Payless is GONE. I was soooo sad when I found out. It's something not related to shoes.

Imagination vs. Reality: Job Edition

 My imagination can get away from me sometimes and when reality comes around it can suck.

After talking with the current teacher at my new school, I had these grand designs about the job/apartment, etc. It's not his fault, my head just got away from me. 

Visiting the school this week was great. It's really cute and not sterile like my first job. The rooms are all named after planets: Jupiter, Mars, Uranus (haha), etc, there's a library filled with YA novels, I won't begrudge them the Twilight I saw and other education centric work books. The curriculum seems interesting and it'll be fun to teach. 

The kids were cute and were very interested in seeing the new teacher! My co-workers all seemed nice and supposedly super helpful according to the vacating teacher. The director was nice, a little awkward, his English wasn't THE BEST, but we were able to communicate. 

I'm moving up a week early for (paid!) training and living in a hotel for the week, 'cause the teacher's leaving on the 1st. At the motel there was something about having my bags in the room would cost extra, because they have to clean or something. Seems fishy, but it'll get sorted when I move in. 

Now the most important thing: The APARTMENT.

All in all, I really can't complain. I've got a big bed (less than Queen more than a double), a decent sized bathroom, a kitchen with many cabinets, a double sink and usable pots and pans. 

I can still assemble my "dream Korean apartment." A couch will fit nicely, maybe a kitchen island for additional appliances like the toaster oven I'm getting.

Minor complaints (had to make them):  No actual closet, just a hanging rack which counts apparently; a dorm size fridge, no racks/cabinet in the bathroom. It seems I was very spoiled in my tenure on Jeju at Marion House. 

So, I'm still excited for my job. I will choose my battles. As my BFF told me yesterday while getting day drunk because we on vacay (!!) she will slap me if I complain. Especially since at the the end of the day: I'm getting paid more, my job is easy, my apartment is decent and even though I'm on the outskirts of the boonies, my area is central and 2 minutes from the subway/bus into Seoul!!! 

With my imagination now grounded in reality. I'm excited for the new year, meeting new people and continuing on my project: Eggs Benedict Seoul!

-kilmosnaps

Seoul pt 4: POUTINE

Saturday cont.

After my fantastic massage at The Foot Shop (other location by IP Boutique Hotel), I headed down to Itaewon to find POUTINE, foreigner grocery stores and a special Skinfood.

The Poutine Factory (Noksapyeong Station, Line 6, Exit 2. Keep walking down the street and it's on the other side, with a very clear sign.)
*UPDATE: Sad face, OUT OF BUSINESS! It's now a milkshake place.

It's a small place, but they make up for it in Canadiana. They had coffee table books, moose crossing signs and moose/RCMP stuffed animals.
Everyone working was incredibly nice.

When I returned my tray, the owner (maybe) came over and asked why I'd left the cheese curds. I told him it was very authentic 'cause I don't like cheese curds and I came for the gravy, which was delicious. He was pleased with the authentic comment and said next time he would give MORE gravy!

He was soooo nice and called me a cab and helped give the cabbie directions on where to take me next.
Worth it: Heck yes! A taste of home is always great and the fries were crisp, the gravy thick and cheese curds were cheese curds, LOL. I think they make everything fresh.

Menu: Yum Yum! Not an everyday occurrence, because you'll get arms length fat, as I tell my kids during Canada class. Definitely a treat!
Website: Poutine Factory

-kilmosnaps

ps. I found the foreigner grocery stores. 

1. High Street Market (Itaewon Station, Line 6, Exit 2. Walk straight about "5" minutes, until you pass the IP Boutique Hotel, on your left. 2nd Floor)

If I lived in Seoul, I would be poor because of this place, but I would be eating like a Queen. Sliced meats, fresh bread, cereal brands from home, PESTO and a variety of vegan acceptable food. I bought a pack of English muffins, because I felt I should buy something and I was searching. 

2. Foreigner Food Market (Itaewon Station, Line 6, Exit 3. Walk straight, turn right after Dunkin Donuts and Mr. Kebab. Walk up the hill and it's on your left.)

Cheese balls! Liz Lemon would love this place. A variety of frozen meat, canned anything and tons of middle eastern food. Also a great place, less expensive than High Street Market.

pss.

Skinfood is my new The Body Shop. I love all the products, except for ones with whitening, obvs. The location at the bottom (West End) of Itaewon is the only location that has the Eggplant Waterproof Mascara Remover. It works so well. 

Seoul pt. 3: Massage

Saturday cont.

So after I satisfied my eggs benedict craving, I headed off to Myeongdong for 2 H&M's and a Forever 21 (Myeongdong Station, Line 4, Exit 6. Make a left and keep walking 'til you see it.)

I love this area and is def. in my Top 5 places to live if I move to Seoul. There's so much happening and sooooo much shopping. There's 2 Uniqlo (Japanese brand) that are like 5 stories each.

H&M Noon Square (Euljiro 1, Line 2, Exit 6. Walk 230m, on the left). They are both fantastic and yeah me it was SALE time. My most favourite time of year. I finally got the leggings/tights I was searching for. I can wear skirts again, until the pants my mom bought me get here!

 I discovered The Foot Shop. It was fantastic. Massage galore in a clean, warm and atmospheric environment. Mine kind of place. I forgot to take pics of the interior, 'cause I was soaked but it reminded me of home.

The front desk lady was super nice and had business English. You got a foot soak before you entered the massage area and you had the chose of regular or Dr. Fish. Yup the fish eat your dead skin. I'd done it before and it works, it just tickles ALOT.

Anyway, I got the Shoulder and Foot Massage, 60min for 44,000won. 40 Min Foot Massage, 24,000won. I saw cheaper down the street, but ambience and cleanliness was worth it. I'm fickle about my massages.

I got a choice of Hard or Soft. I chose medium. It was AMAZING. It was one where you were like "okay this is the end point" and it keeps going. Fantastic.


   You get green tea before and after the visit. You also get lockers for your stuff. One for shoes, one for personals, etc. They even had a basket for my glasses! I highly recommend this place if you're down in Myeongdong. There's also a location in Itaewon by the IP Boutique Hotel. CASH ONLY

Seoul pt 2: Eggs Benedict

Saturday:

So, I leave Spa Lei and oh it's pouring rain. FUN! I love finding places when it's raining. After getting highway robbed the umbrella price, I went searching for the 5 story Forever 21 in Sinsa-dong. Turns out Sinsa is a pretty hip/rich area. There's a bunch of clothing boutiques, fancy restos, Burt's Bees has its OWN store (not a kiosk) and they're getting a Godiva chocolate soon. Anyway, I also found The Flying Pan.

The Flying Pan- white (Sinsa Station, Line 3, Exit 8. Walk straight to the J Tower building, turn left at the next street AND an Itaewon location)
It's been described as one of the best brunches in Seoul. I've been burned before: Suji's (West end of Itaewon) was horrible. The hollandaise sauce tasted like I tried to make it in my blender*. I was gonna skip and head over to the Comfort Zone (Hyewa, Line 4, Exit 4) like I'd originally planned, but it was raining. However, the Flying Pan was YUM!

It was really good, but a few complaints and compliments as per usual, LOL.  Those yellow clumps were the hollandaise sauce. It was also cold and sorta tasted like ricotta/cottage cheese. It wasn't disgusting but not the best.

So-so: If you can get english muffins on Jeju Island, you should be able to get it in Seoul. Anyways, the bread was like a ciabatta bun. It was actually tasty. I was worried when the waiter told me it was bread. I've gotten benedict on Texas toast (really thick white bread) and it was not good.

Great: The eggs were runny and the salmon was seriously delicious and fresh. The bread actually worked well with the meal, despite what I said above. The pictures I saw beforehand and mine(!) look a croissant, which would've been really nice.

Ambivalent: The mood lighting. It was 11am, it seemed like a pretty kid friendly and it was RAINING. The place should've been brighter, especially since it was already dark outside. I like seeing my food, thanks.

Worth it: 16,000won --  Try once. The benedict also comes with ham. Overall the resto is really expensive for everyday. Most meals between 15,000-20,000won. I am glad I experienced it so I can cross it off my list.

*I did find and try a blender hollandaise sauce. It did not work. So gross, LOL.

-kilmosnaps

Seoul Shopping Trip

Seoul shopping trip! I went because I'm was (still am) in desperate need of some clothes. I've been living in my Lulu Lemons for the past month since the weather's changed to COLD! I used to live in my jeans, which is probably why my 2 American Eagle jeans I brought over died back on Jeju and then they never got replaced. At that point I was living In shorts because it was HOT! My new job is a wearing suits to class type of place. How wearing a suit helps teach kids, no idea but I digress, no jeans.

So, I set a budget, figured out where to go (H&M, Forever 21), where to stay, what subway exits to use etc. It was a couple solid days (hours) of planning. I can be anal about stuff sometimes and I can't get it out of my head and i just wanted things to go smoothly. Oh and I was on a quest for eggs Benedict!

There would be more pictures, but it was raining all weekend, sad face. Also, the Poutine Factory (YES!). 

FRIDAY:
Turns out the train to Seoul was SOLD OUT. Oops, so I took the BUS, after 3 attempts for the right bus terminal. First, I went to the Dongbu Bus Terminal, because that's the Pohang bus and I just figured for sure that's where to go. Turns out it's the terminal across the street from the train station. FACE PALM! All the counter lady's were nice and tried to explain 'Express Bus Terminal.' Note: Train attendants have more English than bus attendants. 

The bus was actually fantastic. Super comfy and spacious. Although, why is the bus more expensive than the train??? 24,000 ($24) won to 19,200 ($19) won? Makes no sense. 

I arrived later than planned so I only did one H&M. I went to the brand new IFC Mall (Yeouido Station, Line 5 exit 7 or Line 9 exit 6). It's in the Finance district so its fancy brands and really expensive restaurants. The first Hollister in Korea is here!

Jjimjilbang - Spa Lei (Sinsa Station, Line 3 Exit 5. Walk straight, turn left 2 blocks, across from Riverside Hotel)
Why get a hotel when you can sauna it up! 12,000won for 12 hours. This women only spa is amazing. I've been here several times and it's my favourite for spending the night. There's cubicles for private sleeping and an open floor. There's extra floor mats, "pillows" and BLANKETS! The floor is also heated. Warning. If you're a light sleeper, it's not the best. You can hear murmers from downstairs and has a light up sign. Average English signage. Upstairs, they have a patio/pool. I've never been able to take advantage, because it's always been raining. The food is really good as well. No English or pictures however. You should know a few Korean food words, cause the nice lady cooks don't know much English. No mandu-gu (dumpling soup), but the bulgogi soup is good. 

Website: Spa Lei

OR 

Dragon Hill Spa (Sinyongsan Station, Line 4, Exit 4. Go straight out of the exit for 150m/5 min; Yongsan Station, Line 1, Exit 1. Go towards My Wedding Hall Buffet (마이웨딩홀부페). The sauna is located next to the buffet) If you want 8 floors of awesome! Sleeping is an open space, no blankets, no heated floors. I've found the people here are less considerate and are chatty in the sleeping area. Impressive amount of English signage, also Japanese. 

Website: Dragon Hill Spa

Ooh this got long. Saturday up next. 

- kilmosnaps