More sights for the tourist

As I continue to recover, I figure I'd give myself another day or two before venturing into any food posts, so as not to bias my reviews, heh. Instead, here's a quick recap of some of MC's non-food related experiences. ^^

I've been to three palaces so far, and figured the average visitor (unless a huge royal palace buff) only really needs to see one during a week long stay. Would've preferred Changdeokgung, but it's closed on Mondays, so we opted for the next best option, an easy walk from Insadong.



This was my second time to this palace, and again, we had a little more fun taking pictures outside the dare-I-say-dull-folk-museum...



Here, MC and I pounded some rice cakes. The first time around seemed so much easier! I could barely lift the thing... perhaps the ddeok had a greater stick-effect.



Of course, we had to do the obligatory trip to N Seoul Tower. I knew we could catch a cab there, since I had done it once before, but the drivers wouldn't believe me. Apparently, Koreans aren't allowed to ride a taxi up there. The gate guard even asked us for our passports, and when I told him I didn't have it and showed him my US driver's license, he ignored me, peered into the window, saw MC (obviously not very Korean looking), asked for $2, and we were on our way.



However, the highlight of our Namsan excursion was definitely the dancing. Yep, the dancing. After failing to convince me to get my groove on in the middle of the light show, MC spotted an Asian woman who was dancing next to her husband, and decided to ask for her hand instead. He even got the hubby to bust a few moves at the end. I guess music really does bring the people together.



More...outdoor...dancing... at Next Floor, an outdoor club music festival along the Han River. (Thanks, SJ. ^^)



What's that you ask? OF COURSE, we have video! ^^ Except you can't really see anything... just the guys screaming. MC wanted to go back to the hip hop tent after getting wiped out with jumping up and down ("What else are you supposed to do with this music?!") but it was a pretty good workout, I have to admit.



Little did we know we'd find a "beach" along Yeoido! The wonders of a bicycle. And only $3/hour! I think I'll be taking some solo rides this summer... if anyone's up for joining, let me know. ^^



Walking along Cheongyecheon...



Running into yet another protest near City Hall, we decided to play a Seoul version of "Where's Waldo?" Can you spot MC in the crowd? Bottom left corner. Hint: he's the one wearing the bright Johnny Cupcakes tee. ; )



And finally, what would Seoul be without shopping? ^^



Korea is so much more FUN with you here, MC! ^____^ Miss ya already!

Live from Seoul...

I've been a little musically deprived as of late... missing out on tons of amazing spring concerts... especially THIS one. (Pleeeease go show your support for Temposhark in my US absence! ^^)

But recently, I've been fortunate enough to have a few run-ins with some live performances. Haha, okay, so I didn't get tickets to Jason Mraz or Harry Connick Jr. nor did I see Celine Dion or any K-Pop bands, but I DID get to see this random guy jam at Namsan Tower...

He's good at what he does... but the view definitely made it better. ^^

Here's what it looks like from outside.

Light show...

Upon first glance, I thought this was a real person attempting to be David Blaine-like. ^^;;

We also checked out Nanta, which in the US, is known as Cookin', or more descriptively (in my opinion), "Benihana meets Stomp with a little Blue Man sprinkled in here and there." If you're pressed for time and have to choose between being late or leaving early, definitely opt for the former! (For pure theatrical effect, half the men rip off their shirts in the last 5 minutes of the show, as they fiercely pound on water soaked drums while female members of the audience shyly grin and sink into their seats... not to forget the hundreds of colorful playpen balls that get shot out into the audience prior to this spectacle.) Incorporation of audience participation also makes it fun, but in that 42nd Street kind of way (when you'd rather see something with a bit more substance or edge like Cabaret.) 

Of course, I saved the best for last - my friend's awesome classical guitar concert! ^^ I caught bits on video but unfortunately the sound didn't catch so well on the camera. Here's a little preview...

Very cool.