This Time in Seoul

or Chim, as it is know in Korean.
I have been practicing my yoga for weeks now at the very peaceful hour of 5AM. Yes, you read correctly. However, there’s been a tightening of my right thigh and hamstring for a week or so and as I was walking and booking photo shoots today for my book, I suddenly saw Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Am I lucky or what?! I’ve been wanting to try acupuncture for quite some time now and here was my chance. I only expected to make an appointment but Nurse Eun Hye (which means Grace in English) took care of me at once upon approaching the reception desk. She was so warm, professional and kind. It was as if she knew me and was welcoming me into her home. I filled out a questionnaire, the usual stuff and she explained to me that the doctor would see me in a couple of minutes. Wow! Someone had canceled and I filled the space. Divine intervention!
I was seen by the first and ONLY certified “western” Traditional Oriental Medicine Doctor in Korea, Dr. Raimund Royer. He educated me about the liver, why I have dry skin (but it’s wrinkle-free, OK?) and the importance of the kidneys and how it affects other areas of the body that I would have never known had I not met with him today.

What I thought would be a pretty humdrum visit complete with needles turned out to be one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve ever had with the medical community. He realigned my spine using a CHUNA BED (this bed realigns bones, joints and corrects the arch of the spine) as well as using as CHUNA manipulation. CHU means: push, and NA means pull. By doing this we both realigned my spine and the pressure that I had in my right thigh is gone. Yeah CHUNA!

And now the ACUPUNTURE: OH.MY.GOODNESS.
The first prick into the thigh sent a thunderbolt of energy (read:slight pain) straight to my lower abdomen, which surprised the heck out of me, but that was done on purpose because where he pricked me was a direct line to my abdomen. I could feel the pressure lessening in my leg and this eased my mind quite a bit. All in all, there were about five or six needles, one being in my decolletage.

I left that office smarter, happier and more relaxed but most of all, assured that I am in the right place and that I’m meeting people who are helping me in ways that I would have never imagined.

I mean, where could I go in the U.S. be met with kindness straight away, see a doctor so quickly and leave with instant results, peace of mind and with a smile on my face?

I want to thank the founder of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Dr. Jooh Shik-Shin.
See you next week Dr. Royer, and Nurse Eun Hye!

Consultation: 9 dollars
Acupuncture: 7 dollars
CHUNA manipulation: 30.00 dollars
Discovering Oriental medicine in Korea by an Austrian doctor who’s lived in Korea for 27 years: Priceless!

The man in the center wished me peace and happiness. I, in turn, wished him the same.

Korean float used in the Lotus Lantern Festival, used to celebrate the birth of The Buddha

My friend Catherine posed this question to me as we were walking though Hongdae. She never ceases to amaze me. If I weren’t a traveler I certainly would not have photographs of Korean monks strolling near Jogyesa Temple, nor shots of the some of the chicest cafes I’ve seen thus far. More than this it really forced me to slow down a bit and think carefully about the answer, if there is indeed an answer.

We spoke about how some family members or friends may think that our lifestyle is a bit selfish. Or how some people think that we’re somehow running away from something. The latter sentiment irks me to no end. I mean, what am I supposed to be doing with my life? OH! Get married! Have 2.3 kids, buy a house (and pay the mortgage!) have a “career” and wait to travel when I retire at 65! Um, no, thank you. I’m in no way against marriage (I will believe in love until I die), children are a blessing (well, if you raise if right, Ha!) and I would like to have a home of my own, complete with a private and studio out back (must have a backyard) and housekeeper, thank you.

I believe that I am a world traveler because I dream of traveling, living and working in far away places but I also like having a place to call home. Whether that permanent home will be in the United States, France, Sweden, Korea remains to be seen. I am however getting to be at an age where I do want to stay put for awhile. I have a tendancy these days to romanticize about my life in The Fan in Richmond, VA. I also know that I couldn’t run to an ancient temple to give thanks to my ancestors, bow to The Buddha in a gulf of heat and incense, and have a green tea latte in a cafe where I met Tom Dixon and was subsequently hired by him for a oeuvre that he has now completed!

I travel because it is what makes me glad to be alive. New sites, sounds, tastes and colors are make life beautiful to me. Perhaps what I do is rather nomadic, but I do long for that place, that one place where I can hang my hat, stack all of my books and invite friends over for long talks, big dinners and peaceful sleep.

How about you?

Today is the day before the great celebration of the Lantern Festival. I spotted these honorable monks near Jogyesa Temple this afternoon. This is a celebration of the The Buddha’s birthday and I thank The Buddha for the lighting the pathway that leads those who chose Buddhism to know God’s grace. Whether you are Buddhist, Baptist or Hindu I hope that you celebrate the light that surely flows through you each and every day, the light of Life and Creativity. I love the way that these Buddhist monks moved through the streets, steadfast and true…

Thanks to all who responded to my previous post. Thank you for supporting me and giving me much to think about during this at times, confusing moment in my life. I’m in a much better frame of mind now. I choosing to honor the present and not worry about the future.

I just iChatted with my dear friend Jacqueline T. in the NYC! Technology is amazing it was as if she were here in Seoul, in my cozy little apt. The monitor, power and sound of our iMacs are incredible!
There she was in a thick, lovely fisherman’s sweater as it is is quite chilly in New York and here I was in Seoul, thirteen hours ahead in my sleeveless summer blouse. Jacqueline would look great in any of these hats and she has a head for hats. People, some people look good in hats and other people should just wear big sunglasses and gorgeous scarves, you know, Jackie O. style. In any case, love what you wear or better yet, wear what you love!

The sun is shining so much today and that of course makes me think of the photo shoot that I did for the magazine last week. These hats are hand-sewn and can be found at the lovely shop, Comble in, Samcheong-dong. The designer’s name if Choi, Hye Jung.

I fell in love with hats as both my mother and father wore them to work or sometimes just to go to the grocery store. Hmm, maybe that’s why mom has such great skin, not a wrinkle on her face!

Well, in addition to sunblock I believe that I will have my head measured and fitted for one of these stylin’ hats! I believe it will be this one:

or this one:

this one would be great for a garden party:

or better yet, for just keeping it cool and simple:

Boutique: Comble
Designer: Choi, Hye Jung
email: chaapeaux@hanmail.net
tel: 011 315 3318 or 02 720 1146

Please, have something to drink and eat:

I want to reach out to you so that I may, hopefully, go forth fearlessly on several new projects. Really, I’d just like to ask you this question: Do you ever get tired of traveling and/or not really knowing what you’re going to do next while everyone else “seems” to be doing what they were born to do?
I know that looks can be deceiving and that probably everyone is trying to figure their lives out even though they may look cool as a cucumber and quite safe and secure in their careers, personal lives, etc.

As you know, I am a photographer and I also teach English as a means to put rather cushy sums of money in la banque de Felicia for future projects (books, better cameras, etc.) I do “seem happier when I’m abroad” as a friend just called and said to me, but I would also like to have a base somewhere stateside or at least in a country where I wouldn’t have to give my first born child as a downpayment on a nice little cottage by a lake. I could live in so many places, Italy (will go there this summer to learn beginner’s Italian as well as take cooking courses), Thailand, hell, even my native Virginia, although I wouldn’t know what to do in Virginia for a creative living.

If you’re a traveler, a free-spirit like myself, how do you make peace with the life you’ve chosen, when it seems so much easier, cozier to live close to friends and family you’ve known most of your life?

Very very soon, I will step out on faith and become a full time photographer. If I must teach English as a means to keep the money rolling in, I want to only do so part-time.

Your thoughts, opinions, advice will be very welcomed and respected.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. Here’s your menu:
Mugwort steamed rice cake (it’s delicious, really)
Omija tea (great for your liver and is perfection on the palate)
Pumpkin seeds, apricot
Pumpkin tea, mixed with crushed ice (Heaven)

Don’t worry, it’s on me.

Hello!

This photo is another one of my photos chosen (full page) for another edition of Seoul Selection magazine! Out of the 300 or so that I have of Cafe 62-16, this one is one of my favorites. If you want to see my photos for April’s issue, just click on the site and click the PDF for last month’s magazine. I photographed Gahoe Museum, Robert Koehler the editor, wrote the piece as I did not have time, had to jet to Thailand! Shout out to Robert!

This second one I was hoping for as a cover but didn’t make it. Newsflash! It’s going to be on the cover of something else!!! Will fill you in when everything gets settled!

Have a great weekend! Thank you for commenting Pret a Voyager!

Ciao!

Thank God for Sundays. Seriously.

I get so excited when Sundays come: What exhibit am I going to see, what new dish of anything will I try today, and more importantly, WHERE am I going to eat?! Today’s answer was milk tea at Cafe 62-16 and a croque monsieur at MMMG, both in Samcheong-dong.

This milk tea was created by owner Lee Seung-Ae of “62-16″, it’s delicious and the croque was THE BOMB. I really don’t eat cheese that often but today it reminded me of home and dammit’, I was hungry.

I really do think that I could open up a successful cafe, lounge either here in Korea or in the States. The U.S. really doesn’t have a cafe culture and that’s a shame. I mean, can you really be nice and cosy in say, Starbucks? I don’t think so either.

MMMG has a colorful little website that informs you of their history, locations and products. 

Enjoy the process!

MMMG, located left of exit 1 at Anguk Station, Orange line 3.

Shadows and light, pleasing colors harmoniously reside aside each other at Cafe 62-16, by TeaStory.  I found this place on my way to shoot a traditional teahouse for a magazine and actually found this more appealing. I’m very aware of light and how important it is to how I respond to a space. I really enjoy the shadowy, slightly darker feeling that resides upstairs. If you want to sit alone, you don’t have to be in a dark corner, you can sit in a space with less light but still feel and see the light that streams in from another part of the room. All doors are open, which makes it cool enough to NOT turn on the a/c (well for now at least) and the added bonus of having delicate, vibrant flowers placed just so throughout the cafe brings much added vegetation to this concrete city. This place is like a painting. 

The owner, Lee Seung-Ae is also the proud owner of The Tea Museum in Insadong, another place that I recommend. She has style and makes the best milk tea I’ve ever tasted and I don’t even like milk, NOR, milk in my tea. A winner!

Tip: Get there early to beat the crowds, to get a seat out on the terrace or one of the balconies. Personally, I prefer l’interieur.

Cafe 62-16 by TeaStory, Samcheon-dong, on the main “strip”

Call: 02 723 8250 for more specific directions.

While on the metro this Sunday morning, my phone rang and lo’ and behold it was my mother! She simply said that I’d been on her mind (we’re always on each other’s minds and hearts) and that she had to hear my voice. I really needed that and it’s feels so good to know that we are still here on this earth together, laughing and surprising each other as the days go by.

Mama, these flowers are for you. They almost match your beauty. Almost.

Love you always,

Your loving daughter

They don’t have this in the States.

I was introduced to Paht bing-soo by a friend of mine who wanted to give me a taste of Korea before I moved to Seoul. Initially I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the dessert, then later confused with the mix of ingredients: shaved ice, lots of fruit, syrup, and red bean paste. I ate a couple of spoonfuls before it melted into a sloppy soup of sugar.

Well today, after photographing a new addition to “the strip” in Samcheon-dong, Cafe 62-16 (a new favorite!), I gave bing-soo another try. This is Green Tea Bing-soo and and I love it. It’s real green tea, shaved ice, red bean paste with almonds, cashews and hazelnuts! Simply delicious, and dare I say, nutritious? Ha!

Order one, it’s big enough for two to share on a bright and sunny day like today.

Enjoy!