So this is what a noraebong is!
After a delicious meal of empanadas at a Paraguayan place in Itaewon, the international quarter very close to base, we joined some fellow embassy people in one of Korea’s favorite pastimes: bad—make that AMAZING—singing.
This was clearly a low-scale noraebong. The pages of the songbooks were a little greasy, and the room looked unkempt. But there was music, and there were microphones, and we had so much fun we bought a second hour!
We sang Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Spice Girls, Journey, you name it.
We sang Gaga’s “Telephone” while a Korean girl sobbed in the background, black mascara streaking down her face. Men boxed, gangs fought, couples had romantic walks on the beach, and a girl threw rocks at a window, all while we sang Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
I had so much fun I didn't realize we'd actually stayed out until midnight! Rare for this pregnant lady!
Earlier in the weekend, in our continued effort to get to know Seoul in the wintry weather (it has been in the 20s lately), Joe and I visited the small street known as the French Quarter. I’m not sure the name in Korean, but there wasn’t anything really reminiscent of Paris there, oh, other than the apparently Irish-French restaurant O’Fête.
There was also a French school and the ubiquitous chain bakery Paris Baguette. Seeking warmth, we settled into an up-scale combination coffee house, wine shop, and flower store for some tea and cappuccino.
The street is lined with trees, though, so—just like many Seoul neighborhoods we’ve seen—I’m sure it’s prettier in the spring, summer, and fall.
After wandering a little more, we were ready for more indoor fun, so we taxied to check out Seoul Arts Center, another guide-book recommended spot.
Ten steps in the art center’s door and my chocolate sensor went off. From somewhere to the right of me in the huge open lobby, the warm smell of chocolate beckoned. (It was like driving by Oakdale's Hershey factory on a good day, for those who remember.)
“Chocolate,” I told Joe, pointing to a booth that looked like it sold truffles or some such delicious treat. “I definitely want some.”
So we walked over to the booth, which, it turns out, was selling kitch, including big Hershey chocolate jar candles, but not real chocolate. But there was an entire chocolate exhibit! AND it still smelled strongly of chocolate, so there HAD to be something to fulfill my craving. Right?
We walked over to the entrance, where two young men said we needed tickets. We went where they directed, bought the 10,000won tickets (a bit less than $10 each), and went back to the entrance. The young men said to Joe (rough translation): “You know this is for kids, right?”
Joe (rough translation): “Can you repeat that? I thought you just said this was for kids.”
“Yes, this is for kids.”
Joe told me, and I asked him to double check about the show advertised for 30 minutes from that moment.
“Yes, there is a show,” they told him (again, rough translation). “It’s a magic show for kids.”
We looked at each other and shrugged. What were we going to do, return our tickets? Plus, the scent of chocolate was getting stronger.
We went in anyway, donning our giant, metallic, Hershey-kiss-shaped necklace badges.
Three steps in and I turned to Joe. “Did we really just pay 20 bucks for this?”
“Yup.”
We laughed. There were Hershey candles surrounding one of the exhibits, creating that luscious smell that drew us in.
But we had fun, anyway, even though all of the explanations of chocolate’s history were in Korean. Funny enough, probably 30 percent of the people inside were young (maybe teenaged) couples, apparently having a romantic date.
And at least there was this chocolate world we got to play in!
We also got to make our own chocolates (but I’m pretty sure this was just melted Hershey bars… didn’t totally satisfy my craving).
The magic show was… well, yes, it was a magic show for kids.
We decided to explore the outside area of Seoul Arts Center—this place is HUGE! It has several galleries, a music hall, an opera house, and an outdoor stage on the roof. Wandering around, we saw a trail that went up and up the hill.
Joe told me one of the signs indicated a Buddhist temple, and I felt energized enough to brave the long staircase that went along the road (for some reason, pregnancy makes hills and stairs a big challenge for me these days). Along the way, we were awarded with gorgeous views of Seoul.
And at the top, this hand-crafted beauty:
I peeked inside at the colorful wonderland, with intricate designs on the walls and hanging from the ceiling, but I didn’t get any pictures since there were devotees in there praying to the statue of Buddha, or to their ancestors, or to whoever Buddhists pray to.
And, again, a nice view of my new city.
Back at home, Joe found me in the position pictured below. Yes, it is THAT cold. And my toes were frozen. But I have to say, this weekend's exploration and silliness were definitely worth braving the weather Joe says some Koreans aptly call "kal baram" ... knife wind.
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