This Time in Seoul

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

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

I couldn’t resist. I have a lot more but will not bombard you will endless brilliantly hued tiles. Enjoy.

Also, please go to

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.

Hello everyone!

First I’d like to thank Heather of Heather On Her Travels for thinking of me and nominating me for a Best of Blog Award. I love her website as well, I always learn something new and exciting from her and not always about places I’d think of traveling. Thanks for broadening my horizons Heather! Check her out!

I was nominated in the Best of Travel/Leisure Blog category! I’m really honored. Thanks to The Best of Blogs for informing me of my nomination! You guys and gals really put a smile on my face!
There aren’t so many websites that feature the city of Seoul and I’m happy that I’m representing it well enough to be nominated. I am sharing my photos of my assignment/vacation in Thailand but it’s strange how it makes me view Seoul in a different way now. Don’t worry, it’s all positive! I’m glad to be back in Seoul and glad to be inspired by many cultures and points of view via other fantastic blogs.

Vote for me if you think kindly of my blog! Ha! Voting begins April 14th!

Ciao and Thank you!!!

Felicia

Walking around Dongdaemun, I saw this vision, so determined, so quiet, she made everyone’s head turn, even her own as she wafted through the crowd with a takeout order sitting on her head. Clearly the dish had already been eaten, but to witness how swiftly and effortlessly she moved on a corner of hundreds of people (it’s that crowded!) made me stop and stare. When I came to, I snapped away then smiled as she walked away, oblivious to us all.

Hello!

It’s Saturday morning here and I’m about to go to my favorite joint for some dolsot bibimbap and write some articles for a magazine and a couple of newspapers back home. What’s Bibimbap = Delicious food, A warm hug from God. Ha! I wasn’t joking.

I have great news! I sent out an email to great photographer here in Seoul, hoping to intern at his studio as I need to know to know more about photography. Sure, I was thinking of taking courses but most are in Korean (makes sense), there were a few that were being taught in English but I needed something more long term, up close and personal. I learn better from seeing and listening to my teacher face to face.

Well, perfect timing (his words, not mine) worked in my favor and a wonderful opportunity has been extended to me! Very soon I will learn not only about the technique of photography but also the business, and everyday life of a well known photographer.  I’m on cloud 9!

Here’s a little photo taken and it feels like a little composite of my life, the way it is now and the way, I guess, it’s always been. I like it but someone is missing…(Big Smile)

Have a great weekend!

I have never been affected this deeply by flowers before. I mean, just look at them! I’m stunned and grateful. I even gently rubbed my nose and cheek against them. I feel as if I’m in love, seriously.
The shape, they look like animals when closed and burst with color when they open. Amazing.The woman at the stall let me buy some, I swear I would’ve been depressed had she not. I’m completely happy. I can hardly wait to wake up and see these beauties in my place!

Oh! Where can you find these? On my lunch break, I traveled to the largest flower market in Seoul: Yangjae Flower Market. It opened June 1991 and it is here that they have wholesale and retail flower markets. People gather here in the wee hours of the morning for the auctions. Here you will find a very large greenhouse, an arboretum as well as retail stalls having very kind and knowledgeable florists. I will feature orchids tomorrow. Enjoy!

Yangjae Flower Market
Subway line 3, stop: Yangjae
from there you could take a bus or a very short cab ride to the market. 

  
Poster Photo by Ellen von Unwerth

As you may or may not know it is Lunar New Year vacation which means yours truly has been off for two days now and will return to “work” on Monday. However, since I love walking and am relentless and insatiable photographer, I hit the bricks to find something to shoot. It was a ghost town.

Lunar New Year is not spent guzzling champagne and finding yourself in intimate situations with people, plural, you met on an hour ago. I’ve heard stories, never partook in any debauchery. Ok, well, there was this ONE time…

No folks, this is not Paris, London nor any lame party in the United States during New Year’s. This is Korea and that means spending time with family, eating great food and honoring your ancestors. So the streets were empty today. A few roaming the streets like myself probably escaping their families no doubt, looking for cafes, Krispy Kreme shops and things to photograph. 

I only took 38 photographs. This is nothing for me. It was absolutely freezing today. My hands were killing me, it felt as if something were biting me long and graceful fingers! Home Jeeves, me thinks the Frostbite his having his way with me!All was not lost, I found this little gem in Hongdae. Reminds me of so many great times spent in Paris with my dear friend Catherine, having the time of our lives.  

  
Sculpture by: Meekyoung Shin

Hello to all!
I’m celebrating with a nice glass of wine! What’s the occasion? Well other than having a great life, my photos have been published in a magazine! It will only get better as other photos are being published in a major book! I will post the two articles complete with photos when a copy of the magazine arrives in my hands tomorrow. A wave of peace has rushed over me and now I want to do yoga until I fall asleep. Goodnight.

Namaste.