Halfway around the world

In the middle of busy Seoul with 10+ million citizens lies a beautiful park full of nature, animals, ecology, bike trails, water, horses, and so much more. Thanks to my adventurous British friend Elle for introducing me to this place of heaven where in the midst of the "빨리빨리" (hurry hurry) society, you can escape the chaos that is oh so common in Seoul and let go of all your worries and feel at peace. Its crazy how such an exquisite park exists literally in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world. Needless to say I fell in love at first sight. 

I love nature, being active and everything that has to do with outdoors. So when Elle suggested we go cycling, I was ecstatic. Little did I know we would wind up kissing deers, petting tortoises, eating chuncheon dakgalbi, getting an unexpected piercing, getting poured on, buying an umbrella at 7/11, and the list goes on. Also got told that all the subway station bathrooms in Seoul have the same distinct smell of some kind of candy in England and that I have really curly ears. ^^ 

The day was full of adventures and first experiences but I also learned so much about England. Who knew hedgehogs are rare in England so you cant touch one if found and Kate Middleton is the first to be married to the Royal family without any previous royal blood? I do now haha. Also whilst chatting away on our bikes talking about how awesome England is, a man in a full out decked Britain flag clothing passes by..haha what are the chances. 

Wow - it's been a little over a month of me being here in Korea...where did the time go? I only just realized that I have 2 and a half more months of my summer here and I feel I didn't try and make the most of my time this past month. Yes, the lasek surgery did force me to stay indoors for 2-3 weeks but I still feel like I haven't gone out and meet people or go on crazy adventures like I thought I would. I kept telling myself it's no fun going out shopping or sightseeing by yourself, and yes its not AS fun as going out with friends, however, Im learning to be more independent and being more open and friendly. Going out by yourself has its advantages too; you can go anywhere you want without feeling burdened, eat whatever you want, stay out as long as I want, etc etc.

BUT

I made a friend, yay! Really really grateful for the volleyball in Korea group, I thought I would be taking a break from volleyball this summer (as volleyball leagues/for fun are extremely unpopular in korea) but this group plays every saturday or sunday and has allowed me to do what I love and at the same time meet other foreigners. So this friend, shes the same age as me (동갑), speaks bit of english, and we both seem to have lots of things in common. Met up for dinner in Itaewon at an Irish Pub (which reminded me of McCabes in Guelph), went to watch Secret in Hyehwa (MUST SEE AGAIN), and introduced me to what the university life in Seoul is like. Today there was a mini flea market at an all womens university (숙명여자대학교) where my friend was selling her old clothes/shoes/etc. Students are able to rent a table and display whatever they made (jewellery, etc). Thought that was a really cool opportunity to sell and showcase their talent, wish there were more of these kinds of things in Canada. 

I should write blogs more often..I already feel like my english is going downhill :/