#7 : Reunion, Part 2 (S. Korea)

Next on my world tour of friends, I stopped in South Korea for nine days. I spent the first half in Daegu and the second half in Busan.

Daegu was the city I lived in, where I taught English (and spent a lot of time at a board game cafe/pub with cats), and it's the third largest city in South Korea. It's not really a tourist spot, being instead a place where people live and work. Not like Seoul or Busan. But, that's what makes it feel so familiar and comfortable. :-D

Was so excited to see my friend John again! He's my 'adopted' Irish brother -_^ We went to a raccoon cafe together (where raccoons keep you company as you drink your coffee). In theory and photos, it looked great. Maybe we went at a bad time, but it was incredibly stinky and unsanitary when we were there :,(

OMG the food...... This is one of my favorite samgyeopsal places, and my favorite flavor at this restaurant (O.B.A.M.A. - something like oregano, black pepper, something, something, something... the details aren't important, really, it's just freakin' delicious, and you should get on a plane and fly over there to try that stuff out!)

My friend Hailey got married!!!!!!! <3 Boss, friend, momma-bear, and just, everything you could ever want or need in a friend. So glad I was able to be there for her wedding! She was so beautiful!!!!

She had so many friends who attended her wedding, she had to take two "friend" photos after the wedding (usually only one is sufficient hahaha), so we split out into "korean" and "waygook" (foreigner) friends haha

I love these! This is a traffic/construction dummy that they use on their roads! Isn't it fun?? His arms move haha

Busan is the major beach city of South Korea. Although I haven't been to Miami yet, I imagine Miami to be something like Busan - Tall, fancy buildings, beaches full of swimwear-clad tourists, lots of drinking/partying going on, and lots of fancy cars. The food's good too. 

Did I mention the food?! Oh. My. Gosh. I missed this!
(this was donkatsu...which is originally from Japan, but Korean style is a little less panko-crumbs, a little more pork, and spicy instead of plain brown sauce)

This was the some of the best "western" food in the area - notice the "sausage"? hehe

Naengmyung - cold, wheat noodles with various toppings and sauce. Oh. My. Word.

Although most of our time was spent eating, we also did do some sight-seeing as well. This is a village that was built along the side of a mountain - it used to be a major place for crime, and there was talk of bulldozing it down. Dunno who had the brilliant idea, but, after the houses were all painted up bright colors, tourists started coming to see it, and suddenly shops were popping up around it and it was saved!

Missed my SoYoung! Looking forward to seeing her again someday, to see more beautiful places and make more "food babies" haha

KJets

# 7 : Reunion, Part 1 (Europe)

During my trip on October, to see friends around the world, I spent the first week in England and Switzerland, and the second week in South Korea. Here are some photos from my trip!

Although, in reality, I started in England and finished in England, with a pop over to Switzerland in the middle, I'm putting all my England photos first and my Swiss photos after. :-)

Went to "Platform 9 3/4" in Kings Cross Station

In King's Cross Station there's a Harry Potter gift shop, complete with a wand shop next door. Hermione is one of my favorites, so I HAD to take a photo!

Big Ben!

The Jewel Tower: the only remaining piece of the original Westminster Place (around Westminster Abby and Parliament). I had a nice rest here in their coffee shop on the first floor, reading a book while charging my phone. Very nice and quiet.

Loops and Claire! My chingus from our time in S. Korea... getting some Korean food to commemorate.

My friend Roy (from my time visiting Wales back when I was in university) came and joined us!! 

Tea Time at Luton Hoo - a mansion/hotel in Luton

Looks like the kind of place that Pride and Prejudice would be filmed at... Where's Mr. Darcy??

I got to see Loops' hometown! So quaint and pretty!!

Mwa!

I got to see two sets of friends during my trip to Switzerland! One of my Korean friends is currently living in France, so she jumped on a train and came to hang out with us for a couple days. Switzerland has been on my "must go see" list since my university friend moved there with her fiance (now husband) after we graduated. I was so thankful to finally get this chance!

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. This is the headquarters and where they make all the big decisions about the Olympics! I wasn't expecting much from the museum, but, it turned out to be well laid out, interactive, and captivating!

Taking a lunch break at the Olympic Museum, and enjoying the view of the lake on this rainy day (Natalie!)

Learning to pick grapes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site vineyard!

The view from the vineyard as spectacular! It was still dark out when we got up that morning to go grape picking, and the views got better and better as we worked!

Stephanie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next we went to Chateau de Chillon (Chillon Castle)

Great view of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) from the castle.

We got lucky - They were having a Halloween-type autumn festival at the castle while we were there! Fire dancers, fairies, fauns, and great food and treats. The line to get into the castle was a block long by the time we left in the evening.

KJets