A Place Far Away From Here

Under the Influence Tour. DTE Energy Theatre. 8.10.2014 Clarkston, MI.

Fireworks. Summer 2013.

Downtown Detroit. Summer 2013.

Downtown Detroit. Summer 2013.

Downtown Detroit. Summer 2013. Second Baptist Church roof.

Cedar Point Nighttime. Summer 2013. Power Tower and performance stage.

Cedar Point Nighttime. Summer 2013. Millenium Force.

Cedar Point Nighttime. Summer 2013.

Cedar Point Daytime. Summer 2013.

Spent the weekend at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. We stayed at the Lighthouse Point Cottages and this was our view from the porch. The park itself is best enjoyed at night when all the rollercoasters are lit up and lines aren't as brutal. I actually got to ride the newest rollercoaster there, called the Gatekeeper. Based on all the other rides at the park, I'll give it an 7.5/10. I've been here so many times, I've ridden every ride I've wanted to and have memorized the entire park. Hopefully, I'll be back by the end of the summer and I can post pictures of the actual park. It's really nice!

Of course the staring happened, but that was completely expected. I actually didn't mind it, in fact, I secretly loved it. It was very funny to me. I don't get stared at much at home, there isn't too much that's unexpected or special about me where I'm from. But in Korea, though there are foreigners in Seoul, they are still a huge minority. Anyone who isn't Korean in Korea is a general rarity, regardless if people in Seoul are used to seeing foreigners or not. I loved watching people's different reactions to  our large group or to me individually. There were usually 14 of us walking in a group wherever we went. Groups are already interesting to see, but a group of Americans must have been a little intriguing to people walking past, going about their everyday activities. There was this one time, we were standing outside of a building and this older man walked up to us, got really close, stared at everyone for like 20 seconds really hard, and then walked off. It was hilarious. This same thing happened again when we were walking around Garosu-gil with an older woman. Some people stared really hard, others glanced, then quickly looked away to avoid any eye contact. Then there were people who pretended we were just another part of the scenery. Another entertaining aspect of observing other people stare is watching people try to figure out where we were from. Our group was extremely diverse, so it was sometimes difficult for people to place our origin. We were black, white, mixed, Taiwanese, Filipino, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Short and tall. We were a walking advertisement for unicef. This one guy and his girlfriend that passed us were talking in Korean, but mentioned "Americano". Some of the shop-owners in the city would ask us where we were from or try to guess. That was always entertaining. When we told them where we were really from, some of them would smile :).Personally, older women would stare at me, but were surprisingly usually smiling or seemed really friendly about it. As long as you understand that most of the staring is purely out of curiosity and not hostility, your experience will be much more relaxing. Not everyone is out to get you.

5.12.2013 I wasn’t sure what to make of hostels. The only time I had even heard the word was that one movie about those serial killers. However, this is a pretty cool place. It isn’t the Westin, but it’s comfortable and the people that work there are nice. It’s also right by two college campuses in Shin Chon. This area is full of college students, hence the attraction of business that cater to such a clientele. Cute shops, cafes and a giant department store. Perfect for the average college student who can’t wait to burn a hole through their parent’s pockets. Lovely.

5.12.2013 Food Cafe restaurant. I wish I could tell you what delicious soup this was, but I can’t even remember. Just know it was good. The lady that helped us was very sweet :) These small restaurants are everywhere in the area we are in and this is the first restaurant we ate at. It finally hit us how lost we really were when we saw the menu was all in Korean and no idea what to even attempt to order. It was fun trying to figure it out, but it got us thinking about what we are going to do when our professor isn’t there to help us. This should be interesting as we see how much we can learn about this place in only a couple of weeks.

5.13.2013 Right outside the department store in Shin Chon with 13 floors and a never ending supply of clothing. I would compare that department store to…. Great Lakes Crossing. Only because it would take you forever and a day to just get through it. There was so much, it was like sensory overload. I can imagine why people can spend so much time and money there. Everything was neat, colorful and pleasing to the eye. It was like a trap of consumerism. You just want to buy any and everything. In class, we learned about how these types of department stores were built in Korea and modeled from the Japanese-style department stores. These stores were the gateway to consumer culture in the 20th century, and it is apparent that this consumer culture is thriving and well. Well played department store, you win this time. Go ahead and take all my money.

5.13.2013 U-Plex Department Store in Shin Chon. Daytime.

5.13.2013 Subway Station in Seoul. Public transport is the major means of transportation in this area. Which makes sense, because driving in Seoul appears to be really difficult. Streets in the shopping areas are small and very crowded and the subway system is extremely convenient.

6.7.2013 I FINALLY GOT TO TRY IN-N-OUT THO. My burger was pretty good, my animal fries were dope. This would be dangerous for me if it was in my hood.