Recent acquisitions, etc.

Yesterday I went all over Seoul--to an artsy "flea market" in Hongdae, where there is a huge college and young crowd (and very big party scene), to the Seoul Museum of Art, which was just ok (the focus was on the Jewish Renaissance in Poland, which I thought was strange to be in the SeMA), to another shrine/palace, another museum of art in the shrine/palace (which focused solely on realist Eastern art and was very interesting), and then to the fireworks fest put on by China, Canada, and Korea in Hangang park. I think literally half of Seoul showed up to see the fireworks. It was a peaceful crowd, but a huge, huge crowd nonetheless. It took me literally 15 minutes to exit the subway, and to go home, I ended up taking a cab halfway through my journey just because there was no more standing room in my subway line. (Literally--none. I counted 30 people in the 5 x 5 area I was in.)

Interestingly enough, my cabdriver was from North Korea (though he left during the 50s). Also, Korean fireworks are amazing!

Today I am sick, probably from running around so much last night and the weird temperature changes. I have a terrible head cold, and all I want is tomato soup. I slept for 14 hours and ruined the plans I had for today. I still can't decide whether or not I should run to the grocery store. I probably won't.

Anyways. I have made some really cool and interesting acquisitions so far, and I've tried a lot of neat things, so I thought this would be the perfect time to share them:

This is a Chinese "body model for meridional acupuncture points" I bought at the Seoul National Flea Market two weeks ago. It cost about 13 bucks and was in this booth for alternative medicines. I kept going back to look at it and pretended I was really interested in ginseng medicines; I thought he was too wild to pass up. And for 13 bucks!! He's a soft plastic too, so he'll be really easy to take home.

This is a tiny ceramic giraffe I bought in Hongdae from a funny artist who made clay animals. I was too charmed by it. Also, you can see what is outside my window--a small ledge with lots of plants, which partially shield the train tracks.

My phone. Korean phones are way, way cooler than American phones. They do so much! I can even fish and play yahtzee on it. 

 

I forgot I had taken this picture a while ago, maybe one of the first days in my apartment. You can see my washer under my stove, and my sink is behind the package I'm holding. It's honey cakes, little pancakes filled with a black honey. They are delicious.

Ohhh my god, my new favorite drink--aloe drink!!! Those little floating things are part of aloe plant (I assume), and it's the most refreshing drink I've ever had. I seriously drink about 2 liters of this a week. 

Korean socks are so cool. They usually cost 1,000 won, so like 90 cents, and they're so funny. This pair even has little ears! 

And lastly, the view from the public library. This is a pretty inclusive view of Anyang--I was really high up on a hill when I took this picture. Look at those mountains! 

Also, a shout-out: today is my mom's birthday. Happy birthday, mom! You're the greatest!