Go Team!

I feel like I should purchase a cheerleader outfit and some pompoms. I'm so proud of us. We actually made it out of Caitlin's apartment not once, but TWICE this past weekend. I know, I too am a little concerned that the end of the world is drawing near. But in the absence of Armageddon I'll just go hunting for those pompoms...

So it wasn't anything expressly interesting that made us leave the comfort and security of the Bundang, but I promised I would blog more, so this is what you get...

We finally ventured to the CoEx mall on Saturday and managed to get our hot little hands on the Nepal guide we've been seeking. Getting English books is a bit of a chore as it is here, let alone decent travel guides to somewhat random countries, but thankfully for us, CoEx has the BIGGEST Lonely Planet section I have ever seen anywhere on Earth, and they are blessfully all in English.

We were planning on heading to a coffee shop and calling it a day whilst curled up with our newly-acquired travel bibles, but somehow Kyle managed to convince us to meet him in Myeongdong to pick out some new glasses and, in the spirit of routine (from days previous), the night found us in our little wine bar in Itaewon, sipping sangria and gazing at the Mini that occupies three-quarters of the venue's interior.

On Sunday morning we did manage to find our way to a coffee shop to lounge with our growing Lonely Planet library, although we opted for a change of scenery and, as a result, of beverage. The Tom N' Toms coffee shop at Ori Station really is a gem, so we relaxed there until Kyle came to whisk me away to our mystery luncheon with my Korean teacher, Michelle.

We had absolutely no idea what to expect as our cab pulled up to Michelle's apartment complex, seeing as this meeting was so top-secret I didn't even know about it until about an hour before we were expected at her place. As it turns out, it was to be a simple Thank-you/ Good-bye lunch (she is my Korean co-teacher and Kyle is her daughter's homeroom teacher)and it was, overall, a pleasant experience. It was my first time being invited into a Korean home and therefore also my first time eating a traditional Korean meal in a Korean home. For the record, my chopstick skills have improved exponentially since my arrival! I could totally rock Wagamama's world, if I don't say so myself...

After that I made my way back to Tom N' Toms for yet another latte and another chat (this time with Kyle) until I found myself on a train bound for Seoyheon station and a long-overdue dinner date with Julia. I somehow managed (despite having just consumed a five course meal) to pound back a strawberry marguerita and a chicken burrito whilst discussing our current lives, future plans and reminiscing a bit about the past.

I was home by nine pm, sufficiently stuffed full of good food and settled almost immediately into a Harry Potter movie and a long chat with a good friend.

All in all, the weekend proved to be a success. Fingers crossed for a repeat five days from now!