I need your help, but first…
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.
The Chosen One (full page) plus + for Seoul Selection Magazine
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!
Sunday: Daydreaming and I’m thinkin’ of you…
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.
Saturday at Cafe 62-16 in Samcheong-dong, but of course…
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.
Je t’aime, Maman!
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
Green Tea Bing-Soo, chez Cafe 62-16
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!
Everyday Formal
It’s just as appealing to people watch in Seoul, South Korea as it is in Paris, France.
Scooter Alert!: The 2008 Giggle scooter by Yamaha
After having a great time with Anna of Annamatic (She’s so cool) at Cafe 62-12 today, I spotted this lovely deviation from the norm. Ladies and Gentleman, I bring you the Giggle by Yamaha!
In person this scooter seemed well built, solid, sweet and petite. It’s sits slightly lower and is wider, because of this design perhaps it hugs the road more than your average scooter. I particularly like the large side-opening boot! I can just imagine myself riding around Hongdae or Sinsa-dong, Macbook Pro on board, livin’ la vida loca!
I’ve just read about its features and it gets even better folks:
“Taking the accolade of being one of the world’s greenest scooters, the 2008 Yamaha Giggle minimally environmentally harmful as well as highly practical – and good looking to boot! With naked handlebars, boxy bodywork, and bright colour schemes you won’t fail to stand out from the crowd on this smart Yamaha scooter.”
Sounds good to me! Here they are in black, and yellow:
P.S. If you’ve already purchased one, please share with me and other readers how it performs. Thank you!
P.P.S. I also found some groovy videos featuring the Giggle on youtube, of course.
The quote above was taken from: P&H Motorcycles
Thailand at my feet, part 2
I couldn’t resist. I have a lot more but will not bombard you will endless brilliantly hued tiles. Enjoy.
to nominate this blog for Best Travel/Leisure blog of 2007. Thank you!
Thailand at my feet
I don’t really care for carpets unless I’m in an old stone farmhouse in Bourgogne.
Thailand has the most amazing colors and most of the time you’re walking on them. Tiles in the temples, in beautifully weathered restaurants or hotels, everywhere.
