Seoul 서울: Gangnam 강남 & My Birthday 생일축하해

The last time I spent my birthday away from home was when I was 3. At this time I was on a family vacation so even though I wasn't in Canada, I was still spending it with family. This year I am spending my birthday in Korea! I took the train into Seoul (서울) and boy was it a super long ride! The ride in took 2. 5 hours. There are faster options to get there, but that means I have to pay more. That timing is about average, if I caught the Cheonan Rapid train I can cut that time off by 10-20 minutes, BUT that is if I am lucky enough to catch it!

Today was another LONG day since I had to travel to and from Seoul. I made this adventure all on my own, it wasn't hard it was just lengthy haha.

I decided to walk to Sinchang Station (신창역) because it was sunny again and it only takes 15-20 minutes depending on my walking pace. This is the last station on the number 1, dark blue, line. I found out today line number 1 has multiple branches so I have to pay attention as to which one I am riding on.

Here is a view of my school from my walk. It's up on a hill and I can really feel that I am living in the country side, but I really don't mind.

We can go fishing as an extracurricular activity if we really wanted to! Haha.

I met up with a few friends for my birthday. There were 5 of us in total Christina, Emma, Kelly, Jae Chul and I. We were suppose to meet at Gangnam (강남) Exit 7 at 12pm, but I was slightly late. I also forgot my notebook with everyone's phone number in case I couldn't find them...LUCKILY Jae Chul saw me and then everyone just showed up after that.

We settle on eating at AnDong Jjimddak 찜닭 (that's the name of the restaurant and the name of this lovely dish below). This was the smaller size for 3-4 people, even with 5 we couldn't clean the plate.

After we went to Burger King to get a appokado (아포가토), I am actually not sure if I remembered the name of the dessert correctly. Basically it's soft serve vanilla ice cream with caramel swirled in it with a shot of espresso. Super delicious and Christina found out BK sells it for 2500 won when coffee shops sell them for approx. 7000 give or take.

After that Jae Chul and Emma tried to help me set up my cell phone! Thank you Korean friends for doing that. Since I don't have my Alien Registration yet and I was getting pay as you go the sales associate said one of my Korean friends can fill out the information for me and voila now my phone is up and running!!!

Next we wanted to go to noraebang 노래방 (aka karaoke or singing room if translated). For some odd reason we had the worst luck in finding one...first we went to a multibang (bang meaning room) and the place said they only allowed a max of 4 people in a room. Then we went to Luxury and they were under maintenance we finally settled on M Play which is also another multibang.

The guys running this place was so nice, they were worried we thought the room was small but it was just right. It was super cheap 30 000 won (which is 30 dollars, 1 CAD = 1000 Korean won) for 1.5 hours (split between 5 people) and this price includes all you can drink water, all you can eat popcorn, cookies and ice cream! Plus they had the cutest art on the their walls!!! So adorable.

We walked around for a bit while waiting for my friend In Jae to get off work. Gangnam is a more upscale district in Seoul. However intermingled with the nice stores are also street stalls! This one was selling TONS of Hello Kitty things, crazy so pink!

When In Jae arrived we grabbed a quick small dinner since i had to make my long journey back to the school. We settled on eating at Kim Lee Topokki (not the correct romanization, but that's how they spelt it on their sign). This meal was so good! Looking at this picture is making me drool. I forget how spicy some people make their ddeokbokki (떡볶이) so after I while I was drinking A LOT of water. Even though it's so spicy I couldn't help but continue eating, seriously so delicious!

Lastly I got a present from Emma and Kelly!!! They got me a Korean picture dictionary and a super cute agenda diary. At first I was kind of sad I'd be away from home for my birthday, but I am blessed to have super great friends even on this side of the world =D