Weekend in Seoul

My weekend is Seoul was a great time to relax and recharge before moving to my homestay. Friday night the U.S. Embassy invited our group to a barbecue w

ith the Ambassador and many members of her staff. We were treated with an American menu of hamburgers, Mexican dip, and s’mores. Ambassador Stephens was a great host and spent a large part of her night speaking with us in small groups and answering all of our questions. She also informed us that because Korea’s Independence day was that weekend the Seoul Philharmonic would be playing at city hall that night. We left the Embassy and were able to sit outside city hall and watch the Korean National Ballet perform with the Seoul Philharmonic.  It was a beautiful night and one that I will never forget.

 

On Saturday, my friends and I went shopping. There are so many wonderful shopping districts in Seoul and many of them are very inexpensive. I was on a mission to get many of the necessities that I would need for my home-stay and presents for my Principal and Vice Principal. Completely out of character for me, I stayed within my list and only purchased the things that I needed. Although, I did let my eyes wander and I will be back to visit the Myeong-Dong and go shopping.

One of my ETA friends studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul and guided us around the nightlife in that area over the weekend. Many of the clubs are really crowded, but we were able to get into the VIP area and later on to the stage to dance with our new Korean friends. K-Pop, the Korean music was playing all night and we knew many of the songs by the end of the night. Koreans sure can drink and drink into the very early hours of the morning. Let’s just say that it was nice to not have to wake up for anything on Sunday morning. 

Our weekend finished up with manicures, Starbucks and repacking my suitcases so that I did not seem like I had too much stuff when I arrived at my new home. My weekend in Seoul was one of my best yet. I cannot wait to go back and maybe live there over winter break!