Coming back to Seoul this time has been quite the different journey. No longer am I a student, no longer in the shoes of a cultural exchange, not studying abroad and dominantly here for travel purposes leave me nostalgic and doing things that remind me of only then. As I am here for an extended holiday, one thing for sure hasn't changed, and that is how comfortable I feel living here and how at home I find myself. Seoul is truly my second home.

The next leg of my duration in seoul was situated in Wolgok near Korea University where an unni (term for older "sister" in Korea) I met almost five years ago in Edmonton lives now and kindly welcomed my friend and I to stay with her and her younger brother. This was another reason I felt so at ease and was reminded of how much I want my own place, my own apartment to call home. These past two weeks consisted of a lot of resting, meeting up with friends, rekindling fond memories, and even exploring some places I've never heard of or got the chance to go two years ago. My Canadian friend with me has also brought out my outdoorsy and adventurous side at its best spontaneity as well- getting me off my butt and doing activities I haven't in Seoul before. Yes, despite living in Seoul for 4.5 months last time, there's still so much I have yet to accomplish- that's just how much there is to do in Korea!

To Do & See 
The dogs coming after us because we had dog treats in our hands!
Bau House Cafe: Always had the intentions of going to one, but never ended up doing so last time, this dog cafe satisfied my love for dogs big (like giants! but oh so cute) and small and filled the void I have in missing my own back home. Admission is free but you are inform to buy at least one drink during your stay (which is quite pricey at $6-$8, but you can stay as long as you want and given the cafe culture in Korea, prices weren't too far off). You can also purchase dog treats to feed the dogs, but beware to be swarmed my dog hungry puppy eyes and drool-ly woofs  all around you.

Seoul Forest: a station I didn't know existed (on the newest yellow subway line) and a place where you can picnic, hangout and even rent bicycles at. If you get out of exit 3 and immediately U-turn in the reverse direction of the exit, you will get to a pedestrian crosswalk where across the street you can rent bikes for 3$/hr or a tandem for $6/hr (you need to bring your passport), From here to the Hangang River is quite a distance to find your way around but you can get free maps for your perusal at the entrance of the Seoul Forest information booth and I promise you it will be worth it! The hangang river that runs through Seoul was one place I wish I got to spend more time at two years ago so it was awesome to be able to see so much more this time by bike!

Bugaksan Mountain & Seoul Fortress Wall- at the most northern peak of Seoul where you can supposedly sight North korea, this trek is highly secure besides the fact that it is near the Blue House aka where the government lives. Security and police officers are sighted once you get off the subway, but surprisingly there isn't much on the trek- I assume that they don't want to scare away all the tourists hiking? Anyhow, I thought I be fit enough to do this trek as it was paved with stairs but for some reason I kept huffing and puffing with a tomato red face like no tomorrow. My friend was perfectly fine so I think it was just my lack of fitness that hindered me, but I'm glad I pushed myself as you do get a refreshing, tranquil, and different view of Seoul from the top. Plus it's free, just that you have to register your name before starting and you must return to the office by 5pm.
After much huffing and puffing...
I made it!
To Eat & Explore

Gwangjang Market- another unni introduced us to this place which is apparently the largest outdoor market in Seoul. There's actually a lot of intersecting markets in this area as well (get off at Jongro-5-ga subway station) including Bangsan Market where u can find lots of baking supplies and wholesale goods. Gwangjang has a lineup of clothing stalls (mainly adjumma style), random supplies, household items and even a vintage shopping area that's quite hidden on the upper inner level of one building (if u spot a map of Gwangjang Market in this area it will tell you it's exact location as it can get confusing to locate (make sure to bargain as prices are jacked up)). Though the best and most popular thing to do here is to eat! People literally come here to eat through the market and I was informed that the most popular dishes are the mung/green bean pancake, handmade ddeok (rice cake) selection and sundae (intestine sausage that is super thick here-only for the brave hearted). We tried the first two and I have to say the lineup to get to the pancake was quite worth it. The texture was grainier as it had mashed up green beans in it, but the flavour and freshness of it was delicious. I'm not a fan of the doughy type of ddeok so for me that was mediocre.
A local favorite: "bindaetteok" (mung bean pancake)
Jeonju- one of the buzzing hotspots of Korea famously known for the origin of bibimbap. However I was recommended not to eat it here as it's popularity resulted in overpriced menus and with the abundance of traditional snacks and unique localities found in the Hanok Village, you probably would want to save your stomach for all that your eye hungers for. Jeonju is actually about a three hour bus ride from Seoul, but fortunately my name got drawn to get two fee tickets thanks to jeonju's tourism initiative to promote its name to foreigners (enter here). I never win anything and I was up against like three times the amount of people the bus could allot for so I was thankful to God for his providence and blessing. Jeonju is definitely worth a day trip (a day trip is usually enough unless you want to experience staying at the traditional Korea homes (Hanok) for a night)!
One of many traditional snacks made and sold here-so authentic & tasty!