Wine Train & Easter!

First of all, this is a bit late, but - HAPPY EASTER!!

A few months back, Chris and I signed up to go on a wine train. The day for it finally arrived! We were supposed to meet at the Seoul train station early Saturday morning, so instead of getting up really early and leaving from Suji, we decided to book a hotel room in Seoul for the weekend - so fun! Maynah and Tatiana who were also doing the wine train, booked a room at the same place as us, so we all had a mini getaway.

The hotel we were originally planning to stay at didn't quite work out so at the end of the day Friday, we still weren't quite sure where we were heading to. We had booked on Agoda at U&I Hostel but were informed on Friday that there was a booking error. When I called we were informed Agoda no longer had a contact with U&I so couldn't fulfil the already paid for and confirmed booking. A bit ridiculous that they would still be confirming bookings but it happened. Thankfully they were able to get us into another hotel in the same area and we loved it! Since we were in the city, I went out in Itaewon for some drinks. One place that we went to was called Mi Casa. It was excellent. You put however much money on a white card, then along the wall there are bottles of wine behind a glass case. You put your card in and select the wine you want as well as how many ounces, put your glass under the dispenser then enjoy and go back for more. I think it's a cool concept and you were able to try any of the wines you wanted and however much you wanted, all self serve. It also had great atmosphere. Here is a picture found online:

Saturday we were up early and on our way to Seoul station, one stop away, for the wine train. The train was completely decorated in a wine theme. Grapes and vines painted on the outside of the train car, wine cork carpet inside. There ended up being five of us in our group as Noelia met up with us that morning, so Chris, Maynah and I sat at a table together, while Tatiana and Noelia sat at another table with two other girls. There was unlimited wine the entire day and they started pouring at 9:30am!

 Maynah and I on the train

Chris holding our snack platter - wine is often served with Kraft singles in Korea

We took the train all the way down to Dajeon (about three hours) enjoying our wine, snacks, chatting and playing cards. They offered a dry red, sweet red, dry white and a raspberry wine. All Korean wine of course. I have been getting more into red wines, but much preferred the white wine on this trip. 

Once we arrived in Dajeon, we got onto a bus and headed to our buffet lunch destination which also provided more unlimited wine. 

Tatiana, Noelia, Maynah, myself and Chris on the bus.

Where we had lunch!

After lunch, we headed to a cave that was filled with 500,000 bottles of wine! 

Afterwards, we were treated to a wine foot bath! So relaxing!

We were supposed to see a traditional Korean performance as well, but due to the ferry accident it was cancelled. Instead they showed us traditional Korean instruments and then we were able to try some drums ourselves. It was actually one of the best parts of the trip. We were all put into a room and got a drum, then a Korean women taught us how to drum and finally we were able to drum a song together in unison. 

After this, it was back on the train for more wine back to Seoul. I really enjoyed this trip. Some people weren't so happy with the wine, but it was clearly stated that it would be Korean wine, and I honestly didn't find it that bad. I found the whole day to be very enjoyable. That night, the four of us went out dancing with some new friends we met on the train. 

The next morning we slowly packed up our things from the hotel - after watching some live televised Starcraft on TV of course! 

It was a bit of a rush to head back on Sunday as we were planning to have a potluck Easter dinner. As much as I wanted to just relax, I knew I would have felt a bit sad spending Easter alone. Maynah, Tatiana, Noelia, Mel and Alison all work at the same school and their apartments are in their school, so they hosted a bunch of us. We enjoyed an assortment of food and beverages, drew on some eggs, and enjoyed some ice cream cake in the park.

Definitely not your typical Easter, but one spent in good company! I feel so blessed to have met so many amazing people here!

This past weekend, I went to a wine buffet at the Coex Intercontinental Hotel. The wine and appies were delicious and it was a great night, but most memorable was the cab ride getting there. The driver and I attempted to have a conversation in the little Korean I know, and the little English he knew. He asked where I was from and told me how he thinks Vancouver is so beautiful. Asked how old I was, what I was doing in Korea. Asked if I was married, then if I had a boyfriend and then asked why I didn't. Afterwards proceeded to tell me about his son who is 28 and all of his accomplishments. At a red light, he politely asked to touch my hair and then took a selfie of us together on his phone! While these conversations are no longer unusual, him asking to touch my hair and take a picture with me was hilarious and made for a memorable ride!

Saturday I went to Lotte World for the second time with Ben, Bo, Chris and Ben's coworker Ryan and his girlfriend. The lines were long as usual but we managed to get on a few fun rides! I never fully realized my love of amusement parks until coming to Korea. 

Hot Air Balloon - favourite ride of the day!

Chris and I in the hot air balloon <3 Everyone wears funky headbands like these at amusement parks here! 

The view from the hot air balloon. 

Group shot! Ben, Bo, Chris, Myself, Ryan and his girlfriend 

This past week I had to make my first ever trip to the doctors since being in Korea. I feel like Koreans se the doctor for everything. Any time I have the slightest cough my supervisor tells me to go to the doctor. I think that's ridiculous and fight it off naturally in time. I know when I need to see a doctor and won't go to a doctor here for something that I wouldn't go see one at home for.  Monday night I felt a sore throat coming on and I woke up at 5am to a car's alarm going off (for an hour) outside of my apartment building, as well as an even worse sore throat. I tried to get back to sleep but couldn't so in my preparations to gargle salt water I realized that I probably had strep throat or tonsillitis and would definitely need to see a doctor. Unfortunately, the only place I knew I could find a doctor was at the hospital next to my school, which is down the road from my apartment. Thankfully I knew the hospital was open 24 hours. So at 6:30am I headed to the hospital, in desperation for medicine to relieve the pain. It was a bit strange being in there that early as most of the lights were off and there wasn't really anyone around except another lady who I could tell didn't work there. Luckily a guy in a suit came out and took down my information but didn't speak much English and kept disappearing so I started to question if there was really a doctor around. Finally a doctor appeared, helped the other lady than a nurse brought me to the doctor. Overall it was quick and efficient. He looked in my throat, took a picture with my cell phone so he could point to spots and tell me that my tonsils were inflamed (as if I didn't know already). Thankfully for Google I was able to translate that I'm allergic to penicillin and he brought up all the drugs on his computer and showed me that they weren't penicillin - though none of the words meant anything to me, but it was thoughtful of him, he could probably tell I was a bit worried. Next I was taken away by the nurse and was given two shots in the butt (which they call "hip") which hurt! I almost cried. I have no idea what they gave me. This is what happens when you live in a country and don't speak the language. The total visit cost me $30 - not bad I'm told by my American friends, and was given two papers when I left that I couldn't read. I went back home and had two hours before having to get up for work but whatever they gave me sure helped me sleep! When I arrived at work I learned that one of the papers was a prescription! Hurray! I was a little bit worried that they didn't give me one. So at lunch, I filled the prescription (a whopping $7) and since they have been taking 18 mystery pills a day. 

I only have one pack of 6 pills left now and already feel almost 100% better - which to me is amazing as back home I'd be taken medicine for at least 10 days if I remember correctly. And I've had to work the entire time (no sick days) so these pills have been amazing. Just in time too since I have plans for this weekend (see below). A side note about the doctors/hospitals here, cleanliness is well, no a priority? A co-worker did a number on her finger cutting a frozen banana and had to go to the hospital for stitches. She had to return to get it cleaned and re-wrapped and finally this week she got to go back and get the stitches out. Not only was the doctor not wearing gloves or anything when he initially put the stitches in, the doctor (same or different - not entirely sure) was taking stitches out of someone else when she arrived. The doctor was not wearing gloves, nor did he wash his hands between taken out the other person's stitches and taking out hers. Why? Because, Korea.

Don't get me wrong, I love Korea and I am loving my time here, but some things just make you take a step back and have a huge question mark over your head. For example, like when we were told during our work meeting that we are going to do a fire drill next month to promote safety after the ferry accident. Only to learn that they do not know if we have a fire extinguisher, or where it is, or how to use it. UM ?! And we are responsible for how many children ages 3 and up?!

I'm glad I'm feeling better though because tomorrow is my Friday which means I have a long weekend ahead of myself, so excited! Monday is Children's Day and Tuesday is Buddha's Birthday so we have both days off. Chris and I are headed to Busan after work for the four days. Busan is the second largest city in Korea and it's on the coast so our hotel is on the beach! It will be four days of lounging, reading and relaxing. We are taking the KTX which is the "fast train" down there. I can't wait to just completely relax!

<3