in search or a nice place to drink our much desired bottle of champagne, a rarity in korea, we set out into the perfect summer evening. it was a busy friday evening in gangnam, traffic buzzing by as usual, and lovers walking on the crowded streets. fifty story buildings housing big businesses, still lit up with middle-aged men working like dogs well past eight pm. the usual. we found a beautiful park, adjacent to a children's library. a good place to pop that bottle of cheap champagne, to drink from our paper cups acquired from the mini mart by our house.
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| where we found ourselves spending the evening. this spot is so close to our house, but it feels like a world away, it's tucked back off the main streets, quiet, calm, with a good view and cheap wine. asah! |
the weekend was easy. just a relaxing time, no cares, no plans, no needs. we ventured to the edge of seoul, to ryan's neighborhood, and noted the freshness of the air and the nice ability to see the horizon, unobscured by skyscrapers. we walked to the very edge of the last region of the city and found a beautiful mountain and hiked and explored the dozens of trails. the air was fresh and we felt cool relaxing by a small stream in the shade.
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| so there we are hiking along and there along the trail hanging in the tree are what? hula hoops! |
as we were descending the mountain we came upon a group of korean hikers who had set up a table, yes a table, in the middle of nowhere, and they had snacks and coolers full of makgoli, a tasty rice wine, strong and cold. they offered us some bowls of makgoli, which we gladly accepted and even had another! we made fast friends with these folks, they were kind and we all laughed and enjoyed the sound of the wind violently shaking the large trees all around us.
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| this guy was a trip! he was howling with laughter as he carried a train load of empty bottles. |
after a long evening under a bridge, dangling out feet above a stream of water coming from the mountain, drinking cold beer and watching the sky turn a multitude of pretty colors and eventually revealing some stars... we headed to hanamdong to meet up with some family for a sit down meal of japanese ramen and asahi beer on draft.
the evening led us further to roofs, the gorgeous bar/cafe that nathan and irina got married at. the weather was perfect! we talked and joked and drank the strongest gin and tonics that this city can serve up, with a splash of campari to boot!
after staying the night at nate and iras we woke up and made breakfast together, lounged around and went grocery shopping. then we made a mexican food feast! it was so delicious. we talked about all the restaurants that we will want to visit when we get back to portland. easy living.
and i got a new dress! hooray. so this is my latest update. i miss my friends and family! hope summer is treating you all well. xoxo. nicole.
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