Travel Tuesday :: I ❤︎ Markets

One of the best parts of arriving in a new place is exploring the local markets. Because I get really excited about all the new and interesting produce options, checking out the markets is usually one of my top priorities on my first day exploring.

Yeosu had some awesome markets that had a combination of produce, meats, and small restaurants/food stalls. Open air markets are usually a good indicator that there is a strong local farm scene. For example, my "fruit ajjuma" (the old lady I bought my fruit from), only grew some of her produce and the rese, based on the season was outsourced to farms outside the city or in other areas in Korea (I noticed nothing imported). However, my "vegetable ajjuma" grew all her carrots, peppers, cucumbers, and different lettuces in her small city garden.                                                                                      So far, I think my favorite market has to be the one in Hoi An, Vietnam. The Central Market is down by the riverfront and has, what I can only describe as "epic amounts of interesting stuff." Some of the produce I had never seen before, which of course prompted me to buy! There are so many different types of fruits and vegetables out there that we aren't exposed to in North America; and if we are, it likely isn't nearly as fresh. If you've ever seen an heirloom tomato, you're familiar with the concept of ugly produce. That is how it was intended to be.

I particularly like the Central Market in Hoi An because at this point in my life, I was really missing things like avocados and limes-- rare and/or expensive in Korea. They had so many of both- and my favorite fruit that I can never see to find- dragon fruit. While I was there, I made sure to snag some goodies: a dragon fruit, a few lychee, and a green orange. I usually pick out one really diverse table, so I can ask a lot of questions, potentially buy a few things, and maybe get a good deal.  Also, keeping an eye out for hawkers who are handing out samples is something I do, too.

I realize this might not be the most coherent post, but I've had a long day staring at, and editing a really huge Excel file. Brain = fried!

Do you have any favorite foreign fruits or veggies?

Tea Fields

Close-up shot of some the tea!

The weather is getting warmer and things starting to look a lot greener around here. This morning, as I was making my tea, I was struck with the realization that I won't be able to make the annual trip to the Boseong Tea Fields.

Boseong was a great, albeit difficult, place to visit in the spring. It is classified as a county, and in Korea that kinda means that its half way between rural and suburban. The main bus hub is small which means that buses don't run to and from there terribly often depending on where you are coming from- or you might need to plan for a connector. If you're coming from anywhere outside Jeollanamdo (the province in which Boseong is located), a overnight in Suncheon or even Gwangju would be worth a thought. Getting from the bus terminal to the tea fields is pretty easy. The bus is labeled and there are likely to be other people headed there, too. 

The fields are great for wandering. There are pathways all around, so you could definitely make a day out if it. I wish I had my FitBit while I was over there- definitely put a massive dent in my daily steps whenever I visited! There is a moderately-sized hill that you can climb up and get a great view of all the tea and the surrounding landscape. There are some food options, but it might be wise to pack a snack or lunch.... unless you plan to survive on green tea ice cream for the day. No one would judge you for that.

The souvenir shop is cool, too. I always stocked up on tea bags. They have loose tea and I think they have instant (powdered) tea as well. The green tea cookies and candies are pretty nummy, too. There are loads of trinkety things, as well. If you need to grab a souvenir for someone, this is an awesome place to do it!

Getting back from the terminal can be a little tricky. I noticed that the chart that says what time the buses are supposed to run, isn't always accurate... and the later in the day you leave, the more likely you are to run into transportation hitches. Taxis are available, but make sure you note the name of the bus terminal you want to go to- because there are two. Made that mistake once, and it was a very mistake to make. Apparently the other terminal is way far away, and we had to pay the driver to bring us out there... and then another driver to bring us back to where we originally wanted to go. Whoops!

What is your favorite kinds of tea?

I miss hiking

Full disclosure: I love the idea of hiking and I crave the sense of accomplishment that comes once you reach the top. That being said, I hate the climb. I have breathing troubles and bursitis, and the way up is never easy; but it IS worth it.

I miss having mountains in the middle of my city, Specifically, I miss Gubong Mountain. There were 2 trails that started near my apartment and from the top, you had a 360 degree view of the city that included lots of coast, islands, and other mountains.

I miss having that option readily available. I guess I just generally miss living in a place that offered so many active options. I could walk to work. I could walk to the grocery store (which helped keep my purchases in check because I would only bring my backpack for the 3 mile round-trip walk). I miss the (crappy) beaches. I miss being able to buy my produce from grumpy farming grandmothers. I miss not having to worry (as much) about chemical additives.

PDX

I once did the Buzzfeed "What city should you actually live in?" quiz. I got Portland. I have a havdful of friends from Portland, or who have visited, and they've all said great things. It's also on a few of those "Best of..." lists (cities, places to raise children, food, etc...).

I figured it was high-time I checked it out. I must say, I now get the hype. Portland is a great small city, that feels a lot like Providence but a lot more well laid out. The public transit was awesome and the city felt pretty safe (save a few homeless people who yelled at me).

I arrived at the HI Portland Northwest hostel pretty late in the evening, so all I really had time to do was jump over to the Trader Joe's.... which was only like 5 minutes away(!!). I figured since I was staying for 3 nights and almost 3 full days, that I wanted to be able to cook a little bit.

Voodoo maple bacon

Riverfront walkway

The first day was quite rainy, but I braved the weather and grabbed coffee at a really tiny place a few blocks from the hostel. I walked down towards the main downtown area and just kind of looked around for a little while until I was starting to get hungry. I made a beeline to Voodoo Doughnuts and got a maple bacon donut. So.... GOOD! It was like a dream in the shape of a fluffy donut. I took my prize down a few blocks and munched on it (ok, devoured it) while I walked along the riverfront. I cut a few blocks in when it started to rain a little harder and took refuge in a Forever21. Happy accident, I swear. It ended up being the best Forever 21 I had ever been in. The stock was great (probably because the demographic they cater to in Portland is a lot more in line with my style than the demographic in RI or MA) and the staff was super friendly.

I crossed the river and ate lunch a Pok Pok, a Thai place recommended to my by my cousin Andy. He knows food, so I trusted the suggestion implicitly. The meal was fantastic, and I opted for a cocktail over dessert-- which was also great.

Later that day, I ended up hanging with my friend Nick from my time in Korea. Something about my friends from Korea, I feel like its as if time never really passes and resuming friendships is really easy. We walked around a bit and he introduced me to Powell's Books and we went to a really cool Vietnamese place for dinner. 

Lunch

Day 2 was spent doing more walking, eating, and exploring; but this time on the east side of the city (across the river from where I was staying and had spent all the first day). I browsed a thrift ship, ate at a small taco place, and got a really yummy juice (figured by this point in the trip, I was in need of some vitamins). Hostelling International has 2 hostels in Portland, and I had heard that the hostel on the east side was particularly "green." I had noticed it on the bus ride over, so on my way back, I stopped by. It was a seriously cool place. There were signs outside that described the green initiative and talked about how rain water was used and recycled by the hostel.

I had woken up to an email from a job I had applied for asking for a phone-interview, so I was in an obnoxiously good mood for the whole day. I finished off the day by heading over to Nick's for dinner where two more Korea-time friends stopped over! Justin and Jenny had lived across the hall from me for 2 years, so it was nice to be able to catch up with them a bit.

Nick, me, Jenny, and Justin... the red plaid thing wasn't planned!

Next and final stop: Seattle!

Kids.

Had to say goodbye to some of my favorite kids :(

Last day with the little girls I tutored.

A couple of my old genius students sought me out to go hang out before I left. We saw Captain America... in 3D.

Suncheon Bay Day!

I missed so many trips to Suncheon Bay over the 4 years, that I finally just went by myself after my contract ended!

낙안읍성민속마울

Took a morning to go out to the Suncheon Traditional Village with a few friends. It was really interesting, but there were very few people there. But then again, it was mid-morning on a Wednesday.

 

(Used the watercolor function on my camera)

(More watercolor!)

Burritos and coupons and feelings... oh my!

Aaand here it is:

We've all got issues.

Having a bit of anxiety over this being my last week of school after 4 years here! Also a little unhappy about my inability to keep on track with my eating.

Meltdown in the snow

Seoul in pictures

Went to Seoul for the weekend to see some Christmassy things, see some people, and eat some food!

Arrived Friday night and there were lights outside the bus terminal!

Ew. 

I feel like caffeine and fiber are a terrible mix. 

Get you amped up and then.... make you poop?

Subway!!

Had to go for the footlong.

So satisfying!!

Fantastic breakfast at The Flying Pan Blue in Itaewon. 

I got the Itaewon Breakfast (fried eggs, bacon, fried tomato, spinach, potato salad, toast, orange marmalade, and hummus) and a side of pancakes. 

Absolutely demolished it. 

Cute little scene atop the little shopping center in Insadong.

Dung Cafe.

Cute coffee shop with hilarious decor.

It was great coffee, too!

Funny advert in the metro. 

(From the popular animation "Larva")

...the gift of what?

Great lights at the Shinsegae Department Store in Myungdong.

Nice fountain outside of the Shinsegae.

Hung out with some of the Army rugby boys for the weekend.

We even bought one in the Date Auction.

This was not what I pictured when we ordered "fried shrimp."

View from the roof of the hostel.

Sellfie time.

Hair of the dog.

Cupid snowman?

Got home and cooked a whole bunch! Headgear was necessary.

Pumpkin soup.

Crock pot sweet potato mash.

Banana bread muffins.

Stuffed peppers (brown rice and veg).

25 from the past 21

Whoops. Three weeks without an update.

1. Awesome tree in the park near my house. The fall colors are only around for about 2 weeks, and this tree has held on for almost 4!

2. I was entrusted with the Leaning Cactus of Yeosu when my friend Meghan left earlier this year. It has been renamed to Swagtus.

3. Looking mighty fine with my girls! (Those glasses were stolen later that night. Not bitter at all.)

4. The open-air food/crap market near my school got a nice face lift! There was nothing at that entryway before, and now the whole thing is covered and looks a little more inviting with the new "doorway."

5. Pho in Yeosu! Nice Sunday afternoon dinner. (Pho and a sampler plate with 2 different kinds of spring rolls and whatever that yellow pouchy thing was)

6. Post-dinner coffee shop time! Red velvet in Korea? Weird-- but delicious!

7. We had been together not 90 minutes prior. However, a lot can happen in 90 minutes... and a lot DID happen. An emergency Skype was needed to debrief what has just happened to poor Kim.... and Sarah isn't actually green... its a face mask! Wine also happened.

8. It's weird to see Christmas in places other than Emart.... so it was a nice surprise to see some decorations at the gym!

9. Walking to my genius class. Looks like everything is stacked on top of each other!

10. A few of the Genius 1A class.... a few students didn't come to the last day of class :(

11. 1B class picture!

12 & 13. Snack party for the last class!

14 & 15. The small girls I see every week! The little one gave me a new face haha

16. Nice view from a seaside road in Yeosu.

17. Had a Saturday afternoon Christmas craft sesh.

18. The shadows look like aliens! Its really little outlines of chicks.

19. Went out to a great fusion place for Sunday dinner. I had a steak- it was really good! Aaand, wine happened.

20. "Teacher! Take my picture! Only me..." Sure, ok kid. I told him I took 2 pictures of him, but took 1 selfie of myself rolling my eyes and 1 of him. Good thing he thought it was funny.

21. Ordered myself a treat from iHerb.com! Super cheap shipping to Korea!

22. Found dragon fruit at Emart!!! I could eat this all day every day.

23. I totally under-utilize this quick food spot! I hesitate to call it "fast food" because that implies that its dirty and gross. Toast sandwich with cheese, chicken, and egg.

24. The kids were cooking when I walked into the room, and offered me a taste. There were no forks, and I was in a rush, so I just used a knife. It got a laugh.

25. Oma-rice. Fried rice with an egg blanket and a beautiful drizzle of ketchup.

So that's the last few weeks in pictures!