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Posts Tagged ‘korea’

Hongik Univeristy and Myeong-Dong!

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

When the invitation to visit Seoul got confirmed, Nix and I got really excited! We had a lovely time there last May and could not wait to explore other parts of the city. Nix began his research by looking into the blog of the Sartorialist. He was in Seoul recently and wanted to find out where his followers in Seoul recommend where to go. Hongik University was in the top list of all the suggestions. Se we had to make a bee line to get to it. Hongik is quite easy to get to. When we got to Hongik, we were really surprised to find the stores much to our liking. Another great thing was that we found the prices of a better value here than any other place we shopped in Seoul. So Hongik was a real find. The subway system in Seoul is so convenient and everything is labeled in English so don’t hesitate to use the subway. Traffic can get horrendous so in my opinion this is the quickest way around the city.

Hongik university street fashion! I am loving greys for winter on this trip.

Nix is Winter Colezzione2!

This is a street corner in Hongik.

My look for the day! Needed that shot of color from my favorite yellow scarf! The good thing was that even if it was freezing, the sun was shining. So this was a really good thing.

Oooh! A vespa in the snow.

Nix in a Hongik alley.

Bulgogi and Bibimpap break!

The view form the restaurant.

Winter Peace!

I found this poster charming.

They cut hair really well in Korea! Note to self! Must try that one day.

WInter shopping!

Hongik views!

Cute coffee Patio.

Detail shot of the bird houses.

We then went to Myeong-Dong, which is my favorite part of the city when it comes to shopping, as there a gazillion things happening all at the same time and your senses literally go on overdrive. The energy is so high and the assortment of local Korean brands is just delightful. Not to mention the rows upon rows of yummy street food that just makes you drool as you pass them. Over all, I would consider it a fantastic day!

We moved to Myeong-Dong.

Thrilled in the hustle and bustle of the place.

Anime store.

Steaming hot street food.

Nix and I could not wait to try.

Freshly prepared street food. I wonder what he is preparing?

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: Hongik University, korea, Myeong-Dong, seoul
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Things to do in Seoul!

Monday, January 31st, 2011

When the temperature outside measures an incredible average of negative 11 degrees. You actually can only think of indoor activities and cozying up in front of a hot fire under a warm blanket. However, I am the type of person that would think that would be a waste of time, specially if you’re traveling. I actually welcomed the change of temperature even if it was painfully cold. I tried my best to enjoy it and just find ways to keep warm.

This is me and my designer friend, Lulu Tan-Gan, braving the cold weather.

If you have time you have to watch this Korean show called NANTA! Nanta means to hit hard in Korean.

The show happens in a Korean kitchen where the performers use common objects and make an entire show out of it.

We stepped out for a snack after. The heat of the food created these amazing steam. Street food in Korea is really good.

Nix's cute winter outfit for the day.

Shopping can be challenging because you end up walking a few paces and then ducking into the warm stores even if the store is not to your liking. Good thing there was this place called Doota! It’s an incredible place that is open from 10am to 5am! I kid you not! These Koreans love to shop! I mean, who shops at 2 in the morning? LOL! Since all the shopping is done in one building, you end up enjoying the warmth inside. It’s just hard to fit with all the layers you have to constantly remove and put on. After a while you just have zero energy! The best discovery that I had were these side walk BBQ places that not only kept us warm but also gave us the most wonderful meals! The only draw back is that you end up smelling like a Korean BBQ when you leave! LOL! Even if it was the dead of winter, we managed to have loads of fun! Here are some “must do” things when your in Seoul!

When is Seoul, you have to shop in Doota! It opens at 10 am and closes at 5am. It has the best selection of Korean young designers.

Found this doll quite unnerving!

This brand made me Hmmmm.

Really?

Nix and I discovered the most yummy Korean BBQ place near our hotel.

Holding up a glass of SOJU! I really like this Korean alcohol.

The owner teaching us how to prepare the meat.

Some soup was also ordered.

This is how the place looks from where I sat.

This was our loot! A nice green tote with leather trim.

Which reverses into a pumpkin color!

A fuzzy heather grey sweater.

A cute label ,"vintage" style.

Sailor stripe shirts.

A blonde aviator.

A leather bracelet with small studs.

A washed silk blazer in a terra cotta color.

A Lanvin-esque bow tie!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Tags: Doota, korea, seoul
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Freezing in Seoul!

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

I am in Seoul for a conference. NAKS! I was invited by the Korean Federation of Small and Businesses for a workshop and a series of lectures. I thought that it was a really cool idea. I am always open for brand new learning experiences and I felt that I would be learning a lot. The upside is that it’s an all-expense paid trip so overall, I thought that this was a real blessing.

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I took the red eye flight to Seoul which was delayed for 3 hours due to severe snowing in Korea. I felt so tired as by the time we boarded it was already 3am. Good thing, we were in business class so it was extra comfortable. They served us Bibimpap which was cool but I was so tired that I literally just picked on it and then dozed off. Before I knew it, I was in Seoul.

Happy to be in the Korean Business class! The pods were pretty comfortable!

Loving the large screen TV, although I was not able to watch any of the more than 600 films!

Bibimpab dinner! Again I was too sleepy to eat it! Sayang!

I googled the weather situation here and I was shocked to find out that it ranges from negative 4 to negative 20! OMG! That’s incredible! Apparently this is the coldest winter Korea has ever had in over 40 years! I think this is really the effects of global warming! I crashed in my room which is pretty decent. I like the toilets here as it’s computerized and warm! LOL!

Landed in Seoul! It was sooooo Cold!!!!

My hotel room! It's pretty much like the classic businessman's hotel!

The loo!

We had a welcome dinner and delegates from all ASEAN nations were present. We’re only a total of 40 participants so it is a pretty tight group. Happy to find out that there were lots of young people in the delegation so I think this is going to be fun. Nix flew in to join me and keep me company so this made me so happy! After dinner, we decided to take a stroll but we could not last! I felt like my ears were going to fall off and the cold was permeating my bones so we walked back to the hotel. I think I have to double up my long johns tom! LOL! So that is my first night in Seoul! Will keep you posted!

My seat in the welcome dinner! Looking so official!

The welcome remarks.

Nix arrives soon after. He took the later flight which was on time and on a more decent time!

Winter wonderland!

Snow everywhere!

Brrrrr......It was nice and quiet.

Nix trying to pose with all the snow!

Tried to continue walking but failed! It was really too cold!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: korea, seoul
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SHOPPING HEAVEN!

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

I think shopping is a sport in Korea! There are a gazillion stores and they are all full of shoppers! LOL! I must tell you that it is not the cheapest place to go shopping but the quality of the merchandise is really top-notch! Even in the market you can see that the sewing and the fabric is really good.

One area that we explored was teh Apgujeong/Cheongdam-Dong. This is like their Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive. All the high end stores and boutiques are here! Name the brand and they have it! Even Philip Lim has a building! Each major brand has a free standing building! OMG! You need a car for the whole trip because everything is far apart.

After The Galleria I moved on to Rodeo st. here they have more tiny stores and boutiques and where they have a multitude of coffee shops. Choose one and just sit back and do as I do, take a look at the people and see what they all are wearing. In this part of Seoul you will not be disappointed as they are all so well-dressed!

When in Seoul, do drop by here! There is a whole lot of good fashion going on in KOREA!When in Seoul, do drop by here! There is a whole lot of good fashion going on in KOREA!

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Tags: korea, Rodeo st., seoul, The Galleria
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INSA-DONG!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

It is day 2 of my Seoul adventure and we decided to make a full day filled with some sightseeing and lots of shopping! For me, Korea is like a mix of China and Japan! Everyone is so kind and gentle but there is this electricity in the air making me feel like everyone is in a rush.

Our first stop is Insa-Dong! This street is filled with lots of art galleries and Korean doodads. It is a bit touristy but it is still fun! It is not a big area and it is super easy to navigate as most of the action in just in one lane.

I loved these hand-painted fans!

Super cool brushes! I had to get some of these as I use it for my work.

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Tags: dong, Insa-, korea, seoul
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Birthday Dinner!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

We met up with my Korean friend Justin Chul for dinner! Since it was my birthday I wanted it to be kind of special. Since we had already Korean for Lunch I was in the mood for something western. Earlier in the day I was enthralled by this beautiful store called ELBON.

This is ELBON. The address system in Korea is kind messed up so I suggest that you check their website out for more details. www.elbon.co.kr

The concept of the store was that it was divided into 3 parts. The Style which concentrated on beautiful shoes and bags. The Garden which was a roof top cocktail area and The Table which was a restaurant. The whole place oozed with chic and elan! I wanted to have dinner there.

The entrance.

ELBON=NOBLE spelled backwards, Their tagline is "for the noble in you" NAKS!

The experience was really lovely as the place was so elegant and beautifully designed. The food too looked really good but it lacked flavor and punch. My friend Justin Chul said that the Chef and the team were so young and fresh from culinary school. Meaning the food looked good and was done pretty well but it tasted very technical and boxed in. It lacked a certain kind of soul to it. None the less I had a really great time.

The open kitchen with a very young team!

The chef's uniform was looking pretty cool!

The breads were really yummy, I also liked the oil decanters.

NIx and I loving the lighting in the restaurant.

We started with an octopus and potato pancake. It was promising but it was just ok, not a home run for me.

The soup course was just plain weird It was so sweet that it tasted more like a dessert to me.

We had a beautiful looking sea food pasta that came next.

Our server presented us with a variety of salts that would enliven our main dish. there was mustard salt, rose salt, truffle salt, green tea salt and one more that I forgot. Honestly thought they kinda tasted all the same! LOL! Maybe my palette is not that sensitive?

I had a nice steak which was very tender. It was a good thing that I liked my main course. LOL!

NIx had the baby lamb and chicken combination.

This is my friend Justin Chul! He was so nice to take me and Nix out on our first night in Seoul.

Wire floral decorations in the hall way of ELBON.

The young chef who was kind of cute! LOL!

Famous pala sha?

We headed out for some drinks after in a very hip bar called MIX. There were so many cool looking people that I could not help but people watch, I adore observing people in new places and soaking up how they dress and how they put things together. This process is really inspiring for me. I cannot wait to see more of this exciting city.

We headed out for some drinks after.

Ended in this cool bar called MIX, it was nice!

Chul & Nix. Matching hair style!

The interiors of MIX.

It was a great way to celebrate my birthday! Here I am making Chul try my apple martini which was so yummy!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: elbon, fashion, justin chul, korea, Nix Alanon, rajo laurel, travel
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Conquering Korea!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Greetings from Seoul, Korea! The weather here is glorious and it is a nice break from the suffocating heat of Manila! I am happy to be here of my birthday and getting a few days of respite from Manila! I took the red-eye flight to Seoul on Korean Air.

It was my very first time to fly the carrier and I must say I am impressed! The service was really good and the attendants were so gracious! Even though I took Coach class I was still quite satisfied with the journey. Although the lines at NAIA was dreadful bordering on INSANITY! I am proud that I kept my composure!

Bored in the NAIA airport! We were lining up for like 2 hours! JEESH!

This is the view from my seat!

I love the uniform of the flight attendants! I wonder how they get the scarf to stay up that stiff! The hair pieces are also so cute! Actually the uniforms are one of the reasons why I took Korean air, I wanted to see them up close! LOL!

I loved the in-flight meal on Korean air as they had express BIBIMBAP! It is like a DIY mixed rice dish with minced meat, sprouts and a yummy chili paste. I loved it!

MY BIBIMBAP in-flight meal!

I found it amusing that they had instructions on how to eat BIBIMBAP! LOL!

The entertainment was superb! I got the chance to catch up pn my movies. The downside was I got zero sleep! Normally turning me into a ZOMBIE-like state in the next few hours!

Our Economy seats were quite comfortable! Glad that we had the bulk head seats. Korean air has one of the best In-flight entertainment ever!

The flight was effortless, I felt like in no time we were in Korea na! We zipped out of the Incheon airport in like 15 minutes and drove up to Seoul. The drive up was like an hour and 15 minutes.

Got in Korea on a cloudy day! Love the modern architecture!

The airport is so clean and efficient! SIGH!!! Kaingit!

Since we arrived at like 6 am our room was not ready yet! Meaning we had 4 hours to kill before our room would me ready! MAJOR BUMMER! Nix and I tried to have the slowest breakfast but we still had 2 and a half hours to go! We decided to head up to the Gym and find a lounge to doze off!

Walked around the Grand Intercontinental Hotel trying to kill time before our room would be ready.

A photo of the lobby! It is quite big.

By 9:30 our room was ready. However we were so tired from the journey that we took a MAJOR NAP! LOL! Got up at 2pm! By then I said to myself I gotta make a move! I do not want to spend the rest of my Birthday in BED! LOL!