excursions

Oh Seoul. Seoul, South Korea, where your morning doughnut will cost 10,000 won and omnipresent couples wear matching outfits. Home to the Dr. Fish and English teachers from America. Neighbor to Kim Jong-Il and Northern Korea.
An altogether fascinating place, I was fortunate enough to explore in the hands of a semi-local. A close friend teaches English to groups of 5 and 6 years olds in a hogwan (English school) in Seoul. Visiting her at school was an experience in and of itself with the adorable youngsters being made to learn the order of the planets in our solar system. Did you know it takes Mercury 88 days to orbit the sun? These kids did and could shout it at the top of their lungs.

Korea had more adventures for me though. We attended a breakdancing marionette show, performed to the soundtrack of Amelie and visually stunning. Afterwards a trip to Dr. Fish. An innovative coffee shop where once you finish your latte, $3USD extra will get you 15 minutes in the fish tank. Your feet that is, hungry fish are anxiously awaiting your fleshy footsies arrival so they can nibble away at your dead skin.

Other magical finds included an old style teahouse with actual birds flying around in the rafters and singing, A fish market with sea curiousities galore and Artbox my new favorite stationary store.

If you dont find yourself taking a few years off to go teaching English in Korea, at least it can be reccommended as an interesting stopover during Asian travels. Sandwiched between China and Japan makes jumping around very easy & Seoul is a charming treat, just the place for a long weekend.

—Stephanie Hauk

Ms. Hauk is a native Clevelander, but is guest bloging from Hong Honk. She is obsessed with all things beautiful. See her blog HERE.