Beef: it’s what’s for din-din.

Korean bar-b-que, a.k.a. galbi. MMMMMM, mmmm, it’s goooooooooooooooooooood!

When you think delicious wine, think S.Wine…

What’s in a name? “A wine shop by any other name will get you just as intoxicated, yes?” So, in English, it appears that their establishment is a place either for, or to obtain, pig. Buuuuuuut, hey, who am I to judge? Let’s meet up for a drink, shall we?

Head on over to the “Photo Galleries” section, people! There are LOTS of new photos added! N’joy.

Where the place is so hot, even the food smokes…

This past Tuesday night was our friend and sometimes-superhero Joe “chick magnet” Sarvo’s last night in Korea from his two-week camping stint, so a bunch of us ruffians went out to celebrate (having the next day off was a bonus!). We ended up at a place in Apujeong named “F.A.S.”, which amazingly stands for “Fruit Alcohol Shop” – hmmm, what do they sell there? Well, for starters, they sell fruit-flavord soju, and amazingly delicious and expensive food!

For a few more pics of the evening, you can find them in the newly minted photo album, “Fun Around Seoul”, which will be updated periodically. Word up.

Jen enjoying some fine Korean cuisine:

Here’s JJ sitting at our local “Kimbab Heaven” establishment, enjoying a fine dinner of curry, golgi mandu (meat pot stickers), kimbab (seaweed rice rolls), and of course, the ubiquitous kimchi! Mmmm, looks good, JJ!

Anyone for “Ppeondaegi”?

As one strolls happily down nearly any South Korean market, plaza, festival, town square, or public gathering of variying degrees, one will find the ubiquitious summer snack: Ppeondaegi, which is, of course, silkworm larvae. Available in the bagfull for 500 Won (roughly 50 cents), one can ascertain its presence merely by inhaling the very air surrounding you – the odor of the baking babies is at once immediate, distinct, and strong. It is not necessarily unpleasant, but it will certainly leave an impression upon one’s olfactory system. I also have it on good authority that one bite produces not the crunchiness of baked frosted flakes that perhaps one expects, but rather, a gooshy explosion in the mouth not unlike viles of pudding popping past their limits. And I’ve been assured, the taste IS unpleasant.

So, step up – how many bags would you like?

Happy Korean!

We’re not sure what the sign reads, but with a face like that, the food’s GOTTA be good! (ps – it was!)

Seoul Tower:

Here’s a nice, albeit blurry, night shot of the ol’ Seoul Tower, located in downtown Seoul, that JJ and I went to a few weekends ago over our Lunar New Year break. It’s a really cool structure, and the cylinder on top is actually a rotating restaurant, so we went brazenly up, with no reservations in hand, and acquired ourselves a lovely table by the window. It was very relaxing to rotate at a slow 360 degrees whilst dining upon steak, shrimp, salad, ice cream, and wine. It was another item on our list of “Things To Do Before We Leave”, and we were happy to check it off!

The happy campers at Thanksgiving Dinner.

Here we are, and with those smiles, you could tell our bellies were full o’ goodness!

Thanksgiving makes its appearance in the East!

Yesterday was Saturday, November 26, 2005, and it marked a significant event in the hearts, minds, and stomachs of the GDA staff, for it was the day that we all celebrated Thanksgiving Day in a Korean apartment! Wooo hooo! Lest you non-believers scoff and ridicule our mighty ambrosia, claiming we had nothing more than a few bowls of rice, saucers of kimchi, and a noodle or two, I offer up this photo as proof of our hearty feast. With rapaciousness that knew no satiety, we tore into said meal as a pack of hyena’s, gobbling and slurping and chewing our way to the bottom of the bowls in record time. The event included, but was not limited, to: corn, baked beans, roasted turkey, hot dinner rolls, sage stuffing, green-bean casserole, pasta salad, mashed sweet potatoes, strawberry-apple crisp, pumpkin pie, wine, and beer. In short: OH YEAH!! Seems busted, buttons flew, and one or two individuals lost a finger, but in the end, we all thoroughly enjoyed the gathering, and remembers to give MUCH THANKS for our many blessings, families, friends, fantastic food, warmth, shelter, and happiness. We love and miss you all, and hope your Thanksgiving was as great and robust as ours! Cheers!

JJ’s 32nd Birthday Bash!

The gang’s all here (well, most of them, anyway) as the teachers, Jen and I went out to the heart of Seoul, one of Asia’s largest cities, to celebrate her 32nd Birthday! Here we are dining at a true Italian joint named “Puccini”, and you will NOT find a better Italian restaurant in all of Asia! It’s owned and operated by a true Sicilian, and managed by a Mr. Antonio Patella, whom we met. The cooks may be Korean, but the recipies are pure, unadulterated Italian. It’sa gooooooooooooooood, no?