Never Forgotten: Venice Sarah Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Stepping from the train platform, I didn't truly embrace Venice for what it was. In hindsight, I had just stepped forth onto a place with bodies of water all around. Across from me was an old run down line up of buildings almost side by side with barely there alleys with water buses (aka boats) going back and forth along the Grand Canal. Quite a sight for the eyes, but being tired and wanting to find what direction we were headed in asap, I lacked the enthusiasm to fully experience my initial "aha!" moment with this city.

For as long as I could remember, Venice was my dream city. I had thoughts of saving the prospect of travelling here for a wondrous or special moment, like a honeymoon, or a big girl trip moment. I guess the latter came true, but perhaps it was thinking that Venice was ultra expensive or a nearly impossible place to travel to, that the chance would be far far away. I was a bit overwhelmed and excited to be in Venice. My emotions didn't truly show, possibly due to being tired or also realizing that all the hype I had growing up didn't fully match what I had perceive Venice to be.

Now this sounds anti climatic, but sometimes you dream and foreshadow a place to be a certain way for so long (due to the pictures you see or all the hype up talk you hear about it), and then your expectations ends up falling short. Don't get me wrong, Venice was an amazing city, but different than how I had always had imagined it to be. Maybe the weather threw us off as it rained the second day, or realizing how ineffective the city can be when the water buses go on strike (which did happen on our second day), or losing electricity our first night... all in all, Venice will never be forgotten.

Purchasing a 48 hour (there are various duration of passes you can choose from) Venice card for 30 Euros is definitely more worth it than paying 7 Euros each time. Though you may think you will take less trips than the cost of a card, do factor in the chances of hopping on a wrong boat, being at the wrong platform, and scanning in at the wrong time. The card allows for human error and as its unlimited use, you won't have to worry about mistakes! Good thing we were able to make some quality uses out of it the first day as like I said earlier, the water buses went on strike during our second day there. Apparently the drivers don't make that much as some people don't pay when they get on and so its actually a smart move to get the government to act upon it as the city can't function effectively without the water buses.

The first day we got an unintentional tour down the Grand Canal while heading to San Marco Piazza and the Basilica. After seeing so many cathedral, they start resembling each other and it gets less interesting, but it was fun just to frolic, explore hidden alleyways, and chase after pigeons as you can see me doing in the photo below. St. Mark's Campanile (the bell tower) is also in this square, and pardon my lack of knowledge, but it's not until now as I'm writing this blog that I just realized that's what that tower was and how it's a recognized symbol of Venice; I guess tourist attractions are only as popular as you are made aware of them... harhar.

As with our luck, half of the Rialto Bridge was under construction when we were passing through the Canal, so no decent photo was captured, but just having a ride down the Canal felt charming. A huge tip is to take the #1 water bus after 9pm for a calm and more collected tour to yourself as less people are out and about in the evening (Venice is a very calm city once the sun sets-minor night life!) Also, eat dinner away from the tourist hub-restaurants farther away and those hidden in alleyways have better deals and prices!


Day 2

Though the water buses were on strike (how many times did I say this now?), the minimal amount of service was offered which meant long wait times and having to trek further to find a stop with a water bus running. We had plans to go to the island of Murano and Burano, so from the main train station stop we walked from Fervovia to Fondamente Nove, the port that takes you to those islands. The walk there was a good 30-40 minutes, but there was plenty to see as boutiques, souvenir shops, and even market stalls selling fresh fruits and juices were bountiful.

Venice is known for these intricate "Venetian" masks...hence the name, which I didn't realize-duh! 

Murano is about 20-25 minutes away from Venice and it's known for the glass blowing factories. If you go early enough, apparently you can see the employees at work and making glass art live. Other than the blowing glass, there isn't much to see here so I say one hour is enough. Though due to the strike, waiting for a water bus took longer. From Murano to Burano, it's about an hour ride and they have lots of colourful houses as well as seafood. I didn't find the food exceptional, but once again, we were tired, impatient, and a tad grouchy from the mix mash of waiting and the cool weather making us blue.

Glass helium balloons! So cute!

A giant glass display in Murano

Go-Yield-Stop: Burano

What an a-maze of a city-literally! It's so easy to get lost wandering alleyways and roaming the streets of Venice, but that's what makes it an adventure and a joy to stumble upon hidden gems. That night, we ended it off with over priced drinks at the top of the Hotel Carlton, right across the train station. All in all, Venice was a different, but an unique experience. We rolled with the punches, and left more thrown off than when we started... more on this in the next post!

Continuing On Sarah Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Lately I find myself transporting my mind back to my travels to South East Asia. From thoughts of becoming a soon to be broken record on repeat about my travels coming home, I now declare I AM a broken record, but a happy one of course. Actually, I'm really glad I've been able to continually share and have been asked about that part of my trip (the other part being Korea) because like I mentioned in my last post, it's been a quite dry and steady pace since returning.

It's crazy to think back how different I was a wee three months ago when starting this trip compared to now. Recalling the line up of places I went to, the food I ate, people that I divinely crossed paths with, and the highlights that come flooding back, it be a lie if I said I was not wishing I could go back.

Though, I have come to appreciate all that I have taken away from this trip. A few thoughts that have been running through my mind:

1. The concept of family is much stronger there than it is here. Even though Canada takes great care of its people, has welfare services, protection of rights, freedom of speech, and is a fantastic country to grow a family, I never felt a greater sense of family than in a country with almost nothing-Cambodia. Though I was in Siem Reap for only a mere three days, the innocence of the people untouched by the power of wealth, as said by one person touches you deeply in how much joy they have with their loved ones as for some, that is honestly all they have-e a c h o t h e r.

2. It`s funny how people always say Canadians are known for being polite and friendly, I mean I guess those two words do represent the majority of us pretty well, but it`s amazing the extent of hospitality and in return gratitude I have for the people I met in Singapore. For some reason I thought that such an advance and forward thinking country would not be so intentional on making one feel welcomed, but I was blown away. It makes me question what I have been doing with my blessings and challenges me to go out of my way to make one feel so touched by another`s actions.

3.a. Stereotypes. Bia-isms. Judgement. Despite being Asian myself, being brought up in North America has imposed on me many stereotypical judgements on people on the other side of the world that I have never became aware of until actually being in SEA. First of all, I was astounded by the amount of English locals knew from Siem Reap to Bali (yes they do know English!). Though I have to say it was hard to do any communication in Vietnam other than Sapa (the village tribes learn all their English from grade school and tourists and it is impressively FLUENT!) as people kept thinking I was Vietnamese. I know I adjust well to different cultures, but I have come to value not just communication, but mutual understanding when communicating and not have to take a double thought to consider what I am asking or saying here compared to there.

b. I think safety was another thing, I was so paranoid about being robbed or getting hurt initially (I partly blame fearful parental worries). In Kuala Lumpur, it was my very first destination on my own so I don`t know if feeling unsafe was due to my lack of confidence in traveling or the certain aspects of the East Indian population there that I was not comfortable with (ex. the men constantly staring at me and other foreign women). However, thank you Jesus that he sent many long time travelers to me while staying at my hostel that shared with me traveling tips and stories to help ease me into the start of my trip. From there on, the rest of my itinerary was much smoother. I do take feeling and being safe for granted as back home I would put my bag down almost anywhere and not have to worry about it being stolen, but in SEA I am frequently reminded to zip up my bag and to keep an eye on it even when I did feel relatively safe. Praise the Lord that I never had to deal with any of these issues!

c. Development. Besides knowing how developed and successful of a country Singapore is, there was a part of me that thought South East Asia equated to poverty and this is absolutely not true. Though some places are shabbier and obviously poorer areas than others, there are a lot of developed areas and places. This is also a bittersweet aspect that makes it so affordable to travel to SEA as you can`t complain about $3 meals and barely any money in local commute, but understanding the history of where you are traveling helps to widen your perspective on why places are the way they are. In turn, it also reminds me how little I can live on and be able to live on compared to living in Canada. Despite the lower exchange rate of the Canadian dollar when I was traveling, the money we have hear stretches much farther than in Canada.

4. I miss walking. exploring. trying something new. and the list goes on. But I think I could really do without a car. There is convenience and comfort attached to it, but also a huge price tag to driving. If I lived in a bigger city where the transport system was highly efficient and places close by, I would not even consider owning a car. I feel so lazy sitting at home so often, and I actually feel weight climbing back on as I am not constantly moving as I did when traveling. You realize how privilege life can be living `middle class`in Canada. Life also seems to move differently (no pun intended) when you walk versus driving everywhere.

5. I can finally say I have mastered my minimalistic challenge compared to this madness two years ago. Can I just say how PROUD of myself I am! Throughout traveling, I found people commenting on me traveling with a 24`` luggage; friends thought I was amazing traveling with so little while backpackers may of thought I was ridiculous. But, I actually discovered so many pros to this as I was pleasantly surprised to even see a few traveler`s backpacks bigger than my luggage as a whole-I just can`t imagine their backs! Funny thing is, I don`t know the psychology behind it, but despite traveling with so little, I was force to be creative with my outfits and rarely thought I had nothing to wear when I was so limited on my choices, yet back home with my whole wardrobe, I am quick to think I have nothing to wear as I can`t decide on anything.


If you made it here, thanks for reading my rambles aka traveling thoughts. I think my next post will be on traveling blues as I sit here daydreaming about when my next trip will be.

Seoul Nostalgic Now Sarah Wednesday, July 09, 2014

The lack of blogging these past two weeks signifies that I am home now. There's still thoughts to be processed and reflections to be made, but I don't know why I didn't blog earlier. Immediately coming home I did have a few responsibilities to prepare for, but lately, life seems to be a bore now that my travel plans have completed.

Before I go further, there are a few tips I've been wanting to share that will help you to save money and possibly even make life easier while staying in Seoul/Korea.


1.Global Tax Free

 At certain stores you will notice the orange circle stickers/signs with "GLOBAL TAX FREE" in white uppercase font. This means if you purchase 30000 W (~$30 US) or more in one purchase, you are eligible to receive tax back when leaving any major airport in Seoul. For the longest time, I thought Korea didn't have tax as prices are always in whole numbers, but that's because they factor it in and it's actually 9%. However, you don't get the full amount back, its a general amount they give depending how much you spent. For example, for 30000W spent you get 2500 W back, for 50000W or more, you receive 3300W back and so on and so forth.

You MUST NEED:
-a receipt for you to fill out (request at point of purchase) + instructions on what to do at the airport (factor in a little bit more time at the airport in case there's a lineup)
-may need to show your purchases at the airport so pack them in an easy to reach place

This tax free perk is usually at department stores (Hyundai/Lotte) and makeup stores, but I found out during my last free days in Seoul that even Homeplus, the Korean equivalent of a giant supermarket like the Canadian Superstore offers this too! So if you are on somewhat of a long visit and plan to buy groceries/snacks or what not, this is a great way to save spending more at one time. Unlike us, we would make multiple trips to Homeplus for the littlest things and realized we would've been able to receive tax back if we had bought more at once.

**If you choose to get your tax back right away (which you can at Lotte and at certain locations in Seoul), they take your credit card number as a 'safety deposit' in case you don't leave the country, so make sure to present your receipt at the airport to prove you are leaving so they CANCEL this amount on your credit card... or else you end up getting charged more than you were eligible to receive.


2.Subway Transfers

 Having spent an extended time in Seoul twice now, I've come to have a love hate relationship with walking. I enjoy it above ground, but I despise it when it has to do with subway transfers. I use to get off the exact station my directions would tell me to go to (ex. Anguk exit 6 to go to Insadong), but I realize if you are coming from a line that may take a few transfers to get to that destination, make it easier on yourself to get OFF at a station nearby/on a different line and just walk. Usually the walk isn't very long and you be surprise at how small Seoul is despite the multitude of subway stops there are.

For me and my friends, it felt like a pain to transfer from the green to the light blue line to get to 'Myeongdong' so we always got off at Eulgiro-3-ga (green) line and just walked. Myeongdong is also a large enough place that it covers more space than the dot on the subway map, so you just start from a different point (which is also beneficial to avoid masses of tourists) plus it was much more convenient for us. AND, if you do ever get lost (which you probably will), see it as a discovery to places and sights you would never have notice before if you were underground.


3. No Inflation

I suppose this is a tip if you are planning to return to Korea down the road as I realize all the costs I remembered from twos ago were the same. I love that! Not only is there no tipping culture at Korean restaurants and cafes, prices stay fairly the same. Even the subway charge was the same for my T-money card as well.

Having traveled Southeast Asia prior to, I now know Korea prices are higher, but still very affordable for such a fast pace and advance technology thriving nation.


That is all for now, I will add to this as I think of more!

SEAsight Sarah Monday, May 19, 2014

As I start becoming a broken record by sharing with others the SEA leg of my travels, I'm feeling more and more distant from this past whirlwind of a month, yet wanting to relive all these precious memories already. It's so surreal that all the time and effort I put into planning, researching, and finalizing details of this trip since January has now come to somewhat of an end. For the duration I was in SouthEast Asia, it was a quick overview, but nonetheless a jaw dropping memorable time. God never stopped providing nor did He cease to care for even my smallest needs. I ment amazing people from locals to travellers from the opposite side of the world and I am SO thankful for how everything turned out even if it wasn't according to my itineary.

Every place I went to was so different and I've learned so much no matter where I went. I feel I have enhanced my appetite with all the ethnic yet diverse flavours of SEA, gained a widen perspective on injustices and polictics in third world countries, and dare I say found a deeper calling to what I want to do down the road? Yes, it was just that SEA-mazing! I don't think words and pictures will ever do enough justice to what I've experienced in just over a month, but I can't imagine not having gone on this trip and not gaining what I have (even if some of it is weight).


Here's a quick over view of my 35 day, 4 country, 9 main cities I went to.


Highlights (will add more as I continue to reflect)


Kuala Lumpur-my test rabbit city for travelling where I'd overcome many fears and realized the potential in travelling alone
Siem Reap-getting to tour with New Hope Cambodia to see first hand the villagers and seeing poverty first hand, also made some amazing friendships I know I will be connecting with down the road
Penang-though I got sick and weak here, this lovely island was a great place to revive myself and the three ladies I met (aka my "mommies of Penang") was such a pleasure to explore with!
Yogyakarta -Mt.Bromo-Ijen tour-Bali-craziest and most wreckless tour of my life, but honestly the best experience ever as I would've never known what physical limits I was able to endure, break through, and realize what perseverance I had in me!
Singapore-being retaught what hospitality meant by the most hospitable, caring and loving people I've met and can call friends!
Hanoi-so foreign, yet so close to the heart. Northern Vietnam had so much to offer and see. Amazing country that I can't wait to return down the road!


What I would've done differently

Having more flexibility-I love being organize and planning, but I would definitely add in "free" days where I would do almost nothing and just rest more and indulge my senses with whatever surroundings I was in.
More Time-I also wished in certain places that I had more time to spend there as especially in the beginning of my trip I was flying every 3-4 days and even though it was only 60minute flights and didn't feel rush, it did feel I was going through a race or something to do as much as I can in the time that I had
Soaking it Up-The more poeple you meet traveling, the more you learn and exchange travel stories, and the more you want to do that you may not have been interested in before. Attractions you never considered may all of a sudden intrigued your curiousity and make you want to visit them. So slot in time to soak in unexpected moments!

So keep these things in mind before you plan your trip. I think what's most important is to consider your reasons and what you want to achieve from your travels when you are planning. That way, you can ensure that your travel priorities and needs will be met, and any additional or secondary things you want to accomplish is okay if you do or don't do them (it also gives you another reason to return to that country!).

I know more reflections will come over time, but for now, I will be focussing on my second home. Here's to my second round of Korea and adventuring more through my Seoul!


한국 안녕하세요! 나 돌아왔어요!

Jiao Hanoi! Sarah Wednesday, May 14, 2014

I already know in full anticipation that one day I want to return and eat-see-do-venture through southern Vietnam. Too bad I didn't have enough time this time around, but when is there ever enough time? The more you travel, the more people and discoveries you make and there's just so much to explore through each country. Plus, it just gives you another reason to return in the future.

Northern Vietnam has educated me that there's more than just pho on menus and that motorcycle bike rides are dangerously fun even though being in the shoes of a pedestrian is life or death (I have master the art of crossing the street though!). I'm accustom to the Vietnamese language in Hanoi as it is much more soft spoken than that of Vietnamese back home (which I was informed those are Southern Vietnamese people who are loud and sounds like they are "arguing"). Most of all, having Vietnamese friends really helps you to be inform on the best of the best in terms of locality and hidden gems!

My local friend whom I met on exchange is a food enthusiasts, so when I first told her I wanted to join one of those motorbike food tours that are common here, she abruptly said I was with the best candidate ever. Turns out, this whole trip with her has felt like a scrumptious and perhaps slightly gluttonous time besides on the Sapa and Halong Bay tours.

Our last full day together, she took me to Nha Hang Ngon Restaurant (ngon means delicious in Viet) and there's also a location in Saigon as well as in Phnom Peng, Cambodia. Walking in it, I realize this was one of the fanciest places my has taken me seeing that we've literally been eating on the streets in Hanoi so often. The decor, open air atmosphere and also indoor air condition spots if you prefer made it somewhat feel like a grand and exquisite atmosphere. The concept of the food here is pretty neat as well, it's a mix of food court/hawker stall and restaurant ordering style where you can go straight up from the menu or visit any of the open kitchens to see what you like (for me, what looked the tastiest!) and order there. It felt very interactive as there's about 6-8 different mini kitchens that are designated to cook specific types of Vietnamese dishes. I finally got to try banh xeo (a thin and crispy pancake filled with bean sprouts, pork, shrimp and onions) and it is THE BEST THING I'VE EVER EATEN. I actually wasn't to excited for it initially because my grandma knows how to make this, but it's quite oily and unhealthy. Though eating it in its homemake country is such a delight to my senses and so much crispier, lighter and bigger than what my grandma can wok out. My friend said this restaurant wasn't even the best place to have it either as eateries that make it 'thy best' would sell only one specific item on the menu and not offer such a diverse selection on their menus like here.

On another note, I've never drank more Vietnamese coffee in my life, and coffee in general, but I'm having cups daily here, even multiple shots. One person even said coffee here is better than coffee from Brazil, one of the largest productions of coffee beans in the world. It only made sense that the innovative idea of mixing egg and coffee would arise, commonly referred to as "egg coffee" to the locals and intrigued tourists. When my friend first told me, I thought it sounded disgusting like a raw egg mixed with caffeine, but its nothing like that at all. Its more like whipped egg white mixed with sugar so it resembles a creamy foam over a shot of Vietnamese coffee. I cant even rave enough about how good it was, its almost like warm gelato in the mouth! We also tried other versions like egg coffee and beer/rum but it was gross and not a good mix at all, so please don't try that! Also on the topic of drinks, load up on the abundance of fresh fruit smoothies, iced teas and exotic fruit in general all over Vietnam to quench your thirst as fruit here are super sweet, cheap, and helps to refresh your electrolytes when you are sweating buckets.

This display is made from traditional Vietnamese hats

Next on our eventful itinerary was the Vietnamese Women's Museum. It's rare that I haven't visited as much museums as I usually do as I like being educated in the history of the place I'm visiting, but I knew I had to come here as having a museum focus just on women spurred my interest upon reading recommendations about this place. Basically it revolves around the history and settlement of Vietnamese women as well as their traditional religious beliefs, marriage, hard working lifestyle, and finally their fashion and what modernity means for them in today's day. I really appreciate and enjoy learning about the work ethics of Vietnamese women and especially all the sacrifices they've made during the Vietnam war. There is such a sense of empowerment, unity and strength when women come together and it inspires and propels me to never be stagnant whereever I am in life.

So the most spontaneous and one of the best thing I've done on this whole SEA trip was getting new glasses. I had not planned for this at all, but because I noticed one of the "nose tabs"(don't know its technical name) fell off from my glasses, I thought getting it fixed in Hanoi would be cheap and easy. However, they didn't have the tabs my glasses have, so I couldn't say no to $25 glasses. Yes, you read that right! For the price of one pair in Canada, I can get like ten pairs of lens AND frames here. Of course I'm not sure how different the quality is, and the frames are unbranded (though mine aren't either, but if you honestly think about glasses, they are one of the most jacked up items in North America because you are literally buy two pieces of glass and plastic frames typically made in Asia anyways, but mine does have"Swarovski" printed on the inside-don't know how true that is. Anyhow, thirty minutes later, I was a happy four eyes and the frames and lens turned out really well. In Hanoi, it's common to have each street selling only one category of consumer goods, so there's a whole street of glasses frame shops in the Old Quarter area, but the most popular (and this was obvious with the amount of people surrounding her booth) is called Thanh Luan. The owner is a friendly and smiley lady who isn't bothered even if you don't decide to buy after trying on multiple styles (she definitely knows how to provide the right service and does her business right!). My friend told me they have the best prices on the block and you can definitely bargain as well.

Of course I had to get my nails done, it's what Vietnamese people are known for back in Canada! For $10, I got a manicure with nail polish and nail art done. I don't normally wear nail polish travelling, but seeing that this is the last leg of my SEA journey, I might as well pamper myself before returning to Korea for a while.  There are spas everywhere just as with Bali and Cambodia, but do shop around to compare prices and be willing to pay more for better treatments ands spa atmospheres.

Vietnam has truly fascinated me. Not only that, but the people have been fascinated with me as well. I joked I never felt so attractive and questioned before as I am use to being asked about my ethnicity and all, but being in Vietnam is a different world. Almost everyone I've met or looks at me thinks I look Vietnamese, but they are confused when I don't speak Vietnamese when they talk to me. Then they are lost when I say I'm Chinese but born in Canada. Random people on the bus or stores would try to talk to talk me because they are so curious I speak English and they even mistaken my friend as a foreigner because she's with me! One really sweet girl even said I must have Vietnamese blood somewhere in my family tree because my eyes looked so "Vietnamese". While on the tour, I was the joke of the day as my last name is 'Pho' and I always had to explain the story behind my fake last name (if you don't know, I love to tell you!). By the end of this viet-venture, I've learned some Viet words, so next time I will just say I am Vietnamese. Lets see what happens then!

Jiao Hanoi!

Hello Hanoi Sarah Saturday, May 03, 2014

I find it quite interesting how I started the Indonesia leg of my trip being thought of as Japanese and being shouted "Konichuwa" at, and by the end of it, this security guard at the airport was speaking to me in Pasar (Indonesia's language) in which I responded with a confused "What?" and he asked, "Aren't you Indonesian?' and I shook my head. Perhaps that tells gives you a snippet of just how dark I got during the past week!

However, now in Hanoi, I asked my friend how people can tell I'm not a local and she responded with, "You're too pale".

What?!? It just comes to show how much one can depict by your skin colour and respectively, the standard of beauty judging by your complexion.

Anyways, onto Hanoi. Hanoi is very different from any other city I've been to so far. It's much cooler than it's usual climate right now which is a bonus pleasure for me transitioning from the bright rays and intense heat of Bali. The city is not as developed as I thought it be (I hear South Vietnam is more advanced), but the buildings, transport system and conditions overall are better than that of its neighboring country Cambodia, specifically in Siem Reap where I was. Though compared to the overall environment of Siem Reap's touristy and livelier areas, Hanoi is very dusty here on the streets and the air is filled with a gloomy mist of gray wherever you go. Perhaps pollution or a lack of city cleanup or maybe both? I miss the sight of vibrant greens, tropical trees and plants, as well as bright colours commonly sighted all across Bali already.

One of the many themed coffee shops, this one military inspred

Today my friend and I headed to the Hanoi's Old Quarter, the central/touristy/"downtown" of the city. We wandered around a bit shopping around for a decent tour (unlike my quick-one-pick Indonesian experience) for my plan to go to Sapa and Halong Bay. There are tons of travel agencies in this area so asking questions, comparing pamphlets and offers is necessary. We went to a few before I spontaneously sighted and settled on Classy Travel. It was a promotional board in the front of the store that caught my eye and initially I thought it was probably there just to lure me in, but their customer service, packages, and detailed oriented information sold the it to me. It was more than I had plan to pay ($300 US in total  for 3N/2D to Sapa ($135) and 2N/3D Halong Bay ($165) after), but learning from experience, I don't want to opt for the cheapest only to endure through terrible grief again. So more on this in my future posts.

Along the way, I've met many travelers who told me Vietnam was their favorite country and one of such reasons is because of the food. Food, glorious food, how can you say no to $1.5 Pho bowls, $2 noodle dishes, and $0.5 dessert cups? It may not come from the nicest store fronts (and might I even add quite dirty/hole in the wall/rundown places), but they do offer the best eats (and cheapest next to Malaysia)! I went to a dessert place today that my friend brought me to which has been family run since 1893! That's remarkable and tells of just how good what they offer is if it's been in existence for so long.

One thing I didn't expect to be so money-hungry was shopping! If you know me you know how much I can't say no to shopping overseas (as I never know when I will return). I realized clothes sold in some boutiques on the streets actually have legit labels from Zara, Forever 21, Mango and the like as much of these clothes are manufactured in Vietnam. I questioned the authenticity of it obviously as Asia is known for knock offs, but then I realize they are one-off samples that may have been produced slightly wrong, inaccurately sewn to design, or perhaps missing a stitch/losing some thread, hence flawed products that local business owners get their hands on to sell to the local/tourist market as they can't be sold from the original company.Well I definitely didn't mind because I scored branded items at such a great discount-it felt like vintage shopping as I scoured for one of a kind gems! Shopping is the only thing that really kills my budget plans... by a lot!

amazing handicraft sold at Old Quarter

What else, I think I've become quite stomach tough by now eating food from street stalls and all, but I think Hanoi tops it off as the worst for food safety and sanitary measures in terms of food being sold and prepared on the street. I couldn't believe meat cuts are just laid out on a giant cutting board for customers to touch and select at-no display case, no screen, no temperature regulator; ingredients are pre-chopped in bowls and just waiting to be cooked upon order in the warm outdoors (bacteria alert!). If this was in Canada, nothing would be allowed to be opened. You really take for granted so many standards, rules, policies and regulations back home when travelling SEA, but at the same time, you realize that to the locals, it's not that they don't care, but they just don't have the means or resources to have these measures. Also, it just comes to show that a little street food won't hurt anybody as I know it can cause some over-paranoia.

Interesting how bread is packaged so well

but meat on the other hand...

I've also been learning to take it easy and slow it down as a traveler. When I started in KUL, I made sure to do, eat, see everything on my list and pack in as much as I can in the time that I had. Having learned from experience, I am taking things at a slower pace and embracing every experience big or small rather then to rush it and move on to the next.

Here's to Hanoi and the rest of my itinerary-planned or not!

Feeling Foreign Sarah Thursday, April 24, 2014

Yogyakarta (or Jogyakarta/Jogja) NOT Jakarta.

Some people tend to mix up the two or just assume I meant to say I'm going to the latter rather than the former when I tell them. I don't blame them as before this trip, and before being educated on Indonesia's geography, I never knew what or where Yogyakarta is either. So here's a short lesson, Yogy for short is the capital of the central region on the island of Java, Indonesia (Jakarta on the other hand is the capital and largest city of Indoneisa,  hence the familiarity of the name). I chose Yogy for a couple of reasons. First, I knew capitals and big, popular cities tend to be modernized, crowded, and touristy as with my first hand experience in Kuala Lumpur. Also, by this point of my travels in SEA (mid way already =( ) I figured I probably be sick of city life, so I opted to experience the more local and authentic side of a country. Yogy is also considered to be quite the Javanese art scene with its multitude of batik artists, dance shows, music etc. and lastly, I had to choose a more central location on Java as my main reason for travelling to Indonesia is to take a tour to Mount Bromo and the Ijen Crater, both presently active and from what I hear, stunningly natural forms.

What I didn't expect from Yogy was feeling so foreign. Maybe my lighter skin colour, western way of dressing, and mannerisms stood out or something, but I felt like everywhere I went eyes would be directed upon me. Never have I felt so out of place in an 'Asian' country. I guess in Malaysia and Singapore, Chinese people were abundant, and in Cambodia, there was a bigger population of tourists to look at, but I'm definitely a minority and foreign specie here. I had a tour with a becak shortly after I arrived (a pedi cab/ bike taxi where your driver is biking you from behind and you are sitting in a mini carriage like seat (not fancy at all btw)) and I felt quite intimidated at first. Not only was I facing on coming traffic (unlike in Cambodia where the driver is in front on tuk tuk rides), people would eye me from their motorcycle or driver's seat as my driver biked passed them. When I walked into a local restaurant (which I thought would have tourists), I realized it was all locals inside and I felt like everyone was watching me walk in and sit down at a table on my own; I even caught some glances while I ate.

Anyhow, it is what it is, an experience and in places where I'm bound to stand out, it's only because the sight of foreigners are few and curiosity just leads to one staring more. I guess if I saw someone looking very exotic back home I would probably take a second look as well to be fair.

My driver was very friendly though. I learned that he wants to improve his English and learn new languages so he chooses to park in front of my guesthouse to get business from foreigners. Though I felt like I was breathing in way too much second hand smoke (another reason I was scared for my life in the becak as he kept smoking (though I did tell him its unhealthy and he just chuckled)), he was very sweet and would cater to where I wanted to go, gave me mini history lessons, and even said he would take any amount of payment as he thought I was very nice at the end!

On  my mini tour of Yogy, I stopped at a Batik shop where I was given a tour of this local art form. I know I went to the Batik Painting Museum in Penang, but hearing from a local artist about the amount of detail and time it takes to make a piece was very enriching and made me even more appreciative of batik art. Learning that they don't earn very much as the money goes to charity and back to the community (a cost of a large scale batik design is only $42-think about how much paintings cost in North America), I felt guilt tripped into buying a smaller piece. However, I do like what I purchased, and knowing it goes to a good cause justified it a tad more for me.

The artist & his batik piece

I got this one!

Tomorrow I start my tour which consists of a twelve hour drive to Mount Bromo. I hope I don't get antsy and lose patience, but it will call for some lengthy reflections and quality time with myself as much rest is needed. Thus, the rest of tonight was of rest and practicing swimming as there's a lovely pool just outside my room! Yeahhh!

Pray for safe, healthy and joyous travels here on for me please! My body is no longer feeling weak or bloated, but somehow I caught the coughs ugh. Never thought I say this, but best part of getting the coughs is buying this medicine from Watson's Pharmacy in Singapore called Duro-Tuss-it's apricot flavour and the most delicious medicine I ever had! Trust me and try it!

A medicinal fruit- quite unique don't you think?

Khmer reflection Sarah Wednesday, April 16, 2014

My heart is really sad. It was only three days, but I didn't want to leave Cambodia. As I'm sitting in the airport writing this, I wish I could do more. I'm excited for the rest of my itinerary, but everything that I've learned, people that I've met, and experiences I've had has become precious memories already. I will cherish them until I return. Three days was definitely not enough as there was also other things I wanted to do, but didn't get to.

Initially I thought Cambodia would bring forth certain saftey issues, but I felt so much more relaxed than in Kuala Lumpur. As I became more enriched and educated in the history and culture of the Khmers, I became aware that they may even be more afraid of foreigners then the other way around. I felt like these past three days has been a history class as I've heard of the Khmer Rouge, but never knew the details of this massive massacre, neither did I really know how corrupted the government is here or how poor this country is. Maybe these are the reasons that leaves Siem Reap lingering in my heart,; I've become emotionally attached with a desire to want to do more. I can also see why Cambodia has so many startup NGOS and organizations that give back to the community. What they've had way back in the glory days has now all been lost. The country is so young-literally (60% of the population are under 25) and all the intelligent Khmers have been killed off from the Khmer Rouge. Even the most popular tourist income, Angkor Wat and temples are operated by the Vietnam government.


I had the opportunity to talk to an entrepreneur investing in Cambodia and through observation, I would say 1/4 of the businesses in the tourist area are probably owned by foreigners, thus the money goes back to them rather than to the locals. Of course with foreign businesses they do hire local Khmer and it helps, but most of the profits are obviously pocketed by whoever started the business. It also seems easy to startup a business as the Cambodian government will allow anything that will bring income to the area, though also very unfortunate as the government has made many wrong decisions in letting countries come and just take hold of what they initially own for years to come. The future is definitely in this young generation of Khmers and I pray and hope they can be educated, because in the words of Ron Carter from New Hope,

"Education is the only way to bring upon change."

God Bless Cambodia. 

Landed Sarah Thursday, April 03, 2014

After almost 24 hours of travelling including flight changes, delays, commute and early mornings, I'm finally in Korea and its currently 4am here. I don't know if I'm exactly jetlag as I woke up feeling the need to go to the washroom haha.

My flight from YEG-SFO (2 hours) then SFO-YEG (10 hours + 1 delay) went exceptionally well. Though its spring break, the leg to Korea was pretty quiet and I even had the seat next to me empty so that was nice. I also felt like I got a lot done: watched 2.5 movies, crash course of korean notes, updated my resume, drafted a blog, journaled, prayed, went to the washroom inbetween dozing on and off and wondered if I would ever get to watch Frozen and I did!

It's been a while (or maybe even a first) since I've been on a long haul  plane wth no personal movie screen and only one big one in the front of my seating section, but I actually didn't mind that since I dislike it when my eyes are buzzed out from staring at a screen less than a ruler away. Overall, United Airlines wasn't that bad at all and I didn't mind their plane food minus this dry bun of a snack sandwich I got- absolutely nothing could've saved its case.

Also I hope my Korean comes back quick! I'm living with an exchange friend right now and her parents only know Korean, which is really making me work hard to recall the knowledge inside of me. I also forgot how curious Koreans are in foreigners...this adjussi (older man) kept insisting to help and get me to the right stop on my shuttle bus at the airport. Guess he figured a Chinese Canadian girl would run into problems...though I haven't at all- its been all blessings so far! 

Minimalistic Challenge Sarah Tuesday, April 01, 2014

I can't believe I am taking off tomorrow. I should be use to this jet setting lifestyle I attempt annually, but there are always surprises...and forgetfulness.

I tend to start physically packing a week before I fly out, but with all the planning I've been doing, I actually made a list and test trial back in February to see if I was capable of just having carry on only-call me crazy I know! Reason being is, I plan to country hop from Korea, so my materialistic and hoarding self had to change. Having said that, it's not like I don't plan to shop or retain memories through unique gems I find along the way, but I always Always ALWAYS overpack.

Having read multiple blogs and helpful tips since the preparations of this trip began, I knew I had to really cut back on what I was going to bring. The most helpful and wonderful website/blog I stumbled on, must've been this one. When I discovered it, I was honestly in awe that it was a merge of fashion and travel started by an fashionista who quit her corporate job to travel the world. She inspired me to pack with intention and thought while mixing up style with function.

Trust me when I say it wasn't easy. I'm the type who use to pack an outfit per day for my trips, and now cutting my wardrobe down to what I think is minimalistic is very drastic for me and explains my initial attempt back in February. This past week I kept filtering my list and asked myself the following questions while battle a case of What Ifs:

Will I wear this often enough to pack it? (don't just pack because you think you will 'miss' or  'maybe-need' the item!-I'm a victim of this)
 Is it durable for the length of time I'm traveling? (won't wrinkle, can wear multiple times before wash, stain-invincible, washer/dryer easy... no fancy treatment needed)
Can I buy this even if I didn't bring it reasonably? (things can be relatively cheap in Asia!)
As for shoes-is it comfy? will it match casual and dressy outfits? (don't bring a pair you will only wear once or twice aka heels)

One of the best takeaways from my readings was to only bring 3 pairs of shoes: 1 for walking/trekking (runners/closed toe), 1 for casual adventures (flats), & 1 for getting wet in (flipflops/ thong sandals). Shoes add up in weight, and having quality shoes is so important as it would be a waste to bring it half way across the world to throw it (I chucked out 2 pairs in NYC due to the wear and tear of walking & rain).

However, I know that I couldn't just be radical and go from a daily outfit gal to living off basically nothing, so in the end I decided against carry on and instead just a 24" luggage that I could check in. This would save me money and time if I did have to ship my purchases back home and allow me more ease in my packing choices. I know I'm the type to get sick of what I wear eventually so most clothing packing lists didn't catered to this nor my typical shopping choices either. Knowing that I usually purchase more tops then bottoms, I packed more shorts vs. tops. I also pack enough undies for a week and a half, which is when I usually do laundry as undies are one of those that you can't wear multiple times.

Packing has been a challenge, but definitely a learning experience of realizing how much I can actually live off of. My parents were even surprised and commented how 'little' I had packed. Usually I take advantage of the two free check in luggage allowance, carry on rolly, and personal baggage, but nope not this time. Imagine me lugging all these things from country to country-that would just be utterly ridiculous!

So my tip for packing: do what's best for your needs, but critically think about your travel style and really think each item through to maximize the potential of your wardrobe! You won't regret =) and who wouldn't love a new pair of shoes from an exotic place vs. having to say no because your luggage is full of unnecessary footwear?

Alright, I've got an early flight to catch, so later readers!

Until Korea! 

Welcome Back! Sarah Sunday, March 02, 2014

Hello there!

If you've dropped by for the first time, or revisiting, I welcome you as I welcome myself back from traveling blog hiatus! Which means...

I HAVE AN UPCOMING TRIP!

In exactly a month, I will be boarding a flight and heading back to my second home, my Seoul. It's an understatement to exclaim how excited I am for this to happen and what's in store for me. I've been very hush hush about details of my trip as a lot of plans have been up in the air, and in fact, still are, but I'm learning to place my utmost trust in God knowing that everything is already as intended in His books.

These past few months of staying put has taught me a lot at home and I'm looking forward to where this Spring is going to take me. My heart has been on the brim with joy daydreaming and planing the places I will go, people I will see, and adventures to be experienced. I have been praying for certain destinations since last September so I couldn't be more ecstatic for this to all happen in a month and counting.

I will be releasing more details as my plans inch closer, so be on the lookout.

Did I mention I was excited?!

I'm still in the works of updating this blog before I fly out, so don't be surprise to see Phollow Me There change some more. 

Home away from Home Sarah Tuesday, August 27, 2013

As I'm writing this post, I'm sitting on a couch back home sweet home. I can't believe its almost a week since I've left the Big Apple. It's been an unforgettable two months and oh so dreamy to be working and living the life I did this summer.

Before coming home, I had an eight hour layover in Chicago which allowed me to sneak in one short, but last adventure. Many people told me that Chicago feels like you're on water and I couldn't agreed more. With multiple lakes and rivers running through the city, beneath roads and bridges, and in between high rises, it truly is a one of a kind sight. 

Heading into downtown Chicago was pretty straight forward as you can take the blue subway line from the airport for $5 (the way back from downtown to the airport is only $2.25). Luckily, one of my roommates left on the same flight as me and had a friend in Chicago that was able to show us around, otherwise, I think we would've got lost. There aren't as many tourists as compared Manhattan, thus less signage, plus the fact that we didn't do much research so we didn't really know what to do. We wandered downtown a bit, ate, shopped, and before you knew it, I headed back to catch my flight home (my roommate stayed for a night).

For those having a lay over in Chicago, just a few things to note:

-there is NO luggage storage/lockers in the airport since 9-11, so make sure to have light carry ons with you when exploring (a backpack is best)
-Chicago O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the States as its fairly central, so give yourself enough time to get back, go through security, and prepare for any delays (leave 2.5-3 hours before your flight, it takes about 40-60 minutes subway travel time depending on where you are)
-do lots of research of where you want to go so you can maximize the time you have during your layover

Even though I didn't do that much, it was a nice transition from the crazy busy New York to slow and steady Edmonton. Chicago was much quieter, and to my surprise less busy than I thought as one of the major business hubs in the States (or maybe it was just the area I was in).

I guess this wraps up my adventure to the Big Apple. Much learning, experiences, insights, and personal growth have been gained. Leaving anywhere is always hard for me as I get emotionally attach thanks to the relationships made in that place. Thus, 'home' is a relative term for me and I feel a piece of it will remain in New York. It's definitely bittersweet departing, but I already have future adventures in the works. So money willing, and God's plans aligning, travels are awaiting =)

So Keep Phollowing!

A "New" Yorker's Reflections Sarah Saturday, July 27, 2013

Having lived here for over a month now, there's been a lot of processing going on from all the insightful knowledge and enlightening experiences I've been bless to go through. Most reflections refer to my stay in Manhattan, though some thoughts trail into the city of greater New York (Brooklyn/Queens/Islands).


NYC Food

is just SO GOOD.  With any big city, food is abundant on the streets, on every block, and everywhere you go, you can't possibly go hungry... ever, without drooling over gourmet aroma or palatable sights. As New York is famous for pretty much a never ending list of go-to places due to the fact that eateries have been in films and celebrity chefs who open their signature restaurants in the Big Apple first, you have locals and tourists flocking near and far to satisfy their excited appetite. However, I find that even street eats and hole-in-the-wall places have their own standard of unique taste catered to the die heart foodie as well (affordable and yummy to your tummy!). Thus, it is safe to assume that I haven't been cooking in as much as I had expected. It also so happens to be the bi-annual NY Restaurant Week, where $25 (lunch) and $43 (dinner) gets you a three course meal from top chef restaurants to one of a kind eateries. FYI, Restaurant week here lasts almost a month long, so book ahead to ensure you have a spot as reservations go quick.... and the wallet does too (beware).


NYC Sights

Known as one of the busiest and liveliest city that never sleeps, there are also endless activities for someone on a temporary stay, let alone a tourist. From museums to Broadway shows to parks, to even islands nearby, there is just tons to see. Manhattan in itself is really small (it is an island after all) and so even walking around can bring much interest to the eye. Take today for example, my friend and I walked from 4th street to 39th street in the span of four ish hours. It wasn't boring at all as there were pit stops on the way and random places that caught our eye. It also felt refreshing to not take the subway as destinations are of a walkable distance if you have the time (and a healthier option too!).

However, as popular as things can be, there are some places that are overrated and not worth your time going to. Last weekend, we ventured to the Brooklyn Flea Market, which seemed like a neat initial idea judging by their website, but from first hand experience, things weren't "flea" pricing and there wasn't a wide selection of goods to choose from. As a result, I would definitely recommend reading some online reviews before checking out a 'hotspot'.


NYC Life

Living here as an intern, I've been observing those who work full time in this city and how one's lifestyle is occupied by a lot of working hours and unpaid over time. I find New Yorkers hardworking and this is not to say that other people in other places aren't, but the demand to find work here, maintain one's work, and with the nature work here (many corporate companies, headquarters of major brands) comes much workload for one to accomplish. I admire the work ethics of New Yorkers and its been such an insightful (and at times, tiring) learning experience with so much going on. Hours can be long as mentioned, stress levels high, and a hectic workplace can really take you away from social and family time. I've met people of all backgrounds who have made hefty sacrifices to live and work in the city. Some I sense a chase of the American Dream, others, just to get a taste of the Apple. Wages may be higher, but the cost of living here is also high and a major factor to take into consideration when deciding to move here long term.


NYC People

Tourists are abundant. As a Canadian, I feel I should be accustom to the diversity, but everywhere you look, work, or go, you hear a different accent, see foreigners asking for directions, and learn to embrace the multitude of travelers that come to the Big Apple year round. It's ironic I'm mentioning this as I'm one of them myself, but its also really cool how friendly and engaging everyone is as there isn't a "typical" New Yorker image that comes to mind with such a beautiful and cultured makeup of a city. It's rare that I meet someone born, raised, and now working in NYC as most people have moved here for work after college, are traveling through the city, or interning for the summer like me. Though, I must admit that the hustle and bustle of the city can get annoying with subways frequently packed, crowds of people lining up at famous food chains/bakeries, and the jacked up pricing of certain events as they know tourists will be willing to pay for it regardless of the hefty price tag.


With a few more weeks to go, I look forward to more explorations and insights to share on this blog. I'm beyond thankful to have this opportunity and I will continue to embrace all that there is for me to  eat, see, do, learn and meet!

Staying Put Sarah Saturday, September 08, 2012

This blog's title is literally what I will be doing for next little while.

No more traveling. At least nothing in the near future
No more adventures. At least not in a new city, country, or across the ocean
No more time. Now that school has started and my commitments are in full swing
No more money. It's time to earn money in fact if my tentative plans are to be realistic down the road

Lastly...

No more blogging here. Until a new experience comes along

Theses half a dozen months of being on the get-go, taking a dozen flights, meeting beloved friends from Seoul to Montreal to New York to Toronto has been a tremendous blessing. 

I absolutely love traveling.
If anything, I think traveling makes you want to travel even more-to enrich in more cultures, meet amazing people with wicked backgrounds, going beyond your usual comfort zone (even if its trying live octopus), getting lost (the best part since you tend to find unknown, but fabulous places), building up one's own insights, and finding your identity without the distractions of life.

Thanks for sticking with me throughout my abroad, cultural, and local bloggings.
Here's to future travel stories for You and I.

지금 안녕 서울 Sarah Thursday, June 28, 2012

My term as an exchange student has been accomplished and my time in Korea is already up for now. It's been such a wonderful time aborad and I'm so glad I was able to document my travels, cultural experiences, and my life studying abroad through this blog.

Its time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the Seoul-TASTIC.

The Good

Living overseas in a foreign country was a first of many experiences I got to learn and grow from. There are many things you learn living alone, especially when there are challenging obstacles like language barrier and cultural norms. I'm happy to say that I was able to adapt very well to living in Korea and have been enlightened through various circumstances since my one month reflection. Life in Korea is so much more convenient and efficient as its such a buzzling and busy city, and I can truly say that Korea has become my second home.

Secondly, the friendships I made were priceless and made my exchange that much more memorable. I miss them all so much, and if it wasn't for that community I was always with (especially with Emmaus), I wouldn't be as attached to this country and city like I am now. They made my experience so much more and I miss living with them, eating with them, going to to classes with them, fellowshipping with them and having their presence around me every day. Its so nice meeting people from around the world and I know its not the end, but just the beginning of  lifelong friendships. I can't wait to travel in the future and be reunited with these amazing people.

The Bad

There were a few hardships too, and for one thing, I really wish I had consumed more fruits. I love eating fruits and it sucked having to pay for overpriced fruits or have to leave it out of my usual diet. Though, this was out of my control as fruits are fairly expensive in Korea since they tend to be eaten more as desserts rather than part of a meal, and exporting fruits into Korea is more expensive (I'm assuming as it didn't make sense for apples and oranges to be so expensive).

On a more serious note, I wish I balanced my time better abroad better, as I was on a student exchange. I know studying abroad, you feel you can get away with your grades and let assignments slide, especially since my school transfers credits and not the official grades, but that was no reason for me to leave things last minute. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually tried pulling an all nighter to finish a paper-that was a first! I know it works brilliantly for some people, but for me, not at all... and if the paper wasn't for my taekwondo class (where organization, grammer, and structure wasn't a big deal), I think I would've failed miserably. AND, if I ever choose to pursue grad school or a Masters, they're going to look at all my transcripts, so if it wasn't for God's grace, I don't know how I would've managed.

Living in a city like Seoul, I also wished I budgeted better. Everything was a new and fresh experience and I feel so blessed being able to receive the scholarships I did to finance most of my trip. However, I do wish I planned my personal spending better. I knew I would shop, eat, and explore a lot, and for the most part, I did stick pretty well to my budget, but near the end, I just starting blowing my money on souvenirs, gifts, and myself as I didn't know when I would be in Seoul the next time. I guess its justifiable being in a new country and all, but yea just a tip for you future exchange students out there!

The Seoul-TASTIC

I'm so glad to have chosen Yonsei University as my first ever student exchange. Not only did I have the best term of my life being involved with the student clubs, connecting with local, foreign, and international students, but just being in this "Ivy League" school itself was such a blessing. I got to be part of so many student activities and went out of my way to attend events I would never been able to participate in or be a part of at my home university. I think a lot had to do with my mentality as an exchange student, and with that, your constantly wanting to try new things, having fun, and get out there. Living on campus also allowed me to enjoy everything much more, as 'home' was just a few minutes walk away. I did a lot of things that was outside of my comfort zone or "usual" circumstances and I grew so much as a person as a result of doing so.

I am really thankful for this experience and I highly encourage You to be an exchange student if you ever have the chance to. It can be anywhere in the world and I'm positive you will love it. You just never know who your going to meet, what you will experience, and how your life will be change.

I guess that brings this blog to a close (at least for now). My adventures will be continuing, but I have yet to decide if I will continue writing them on this blog, as it won't be "Pho-to Seoul" not more.

You will have to wait and see.

Go on an exchange!!! 

PhotoSeoul Exchange Accomplished =D

Heartaches Sarah Monday, June 18, 2012

Less than one week from now, I will be on a flight back to Canada.

It's so bitter sweet and to be honest, I would give up anything right now to stay in  Korea just a little longer.

One week left to make more memories, build friendships, enjoy my dorm community, embrace Yonsei, and most of all cherish the presence of all those who have cross my path here.

I was really sad to leave my hometown to come here, but now I'm torn leaving this new home of mine.

This week is going to be so tough.


I'm coming home.

Reflection Celebration Sarah Sunday, March 18, 2012

Today is a month since living in Seoul and it has actually felt like a month's worth of seeing, eating, doing, and experiencing. I have been reflecting lately and there's a few things I want to share about in this reflection. I will separate them into categories for an easy read.

Seoul City
This city has not disappointed me and I feel with each new experience, it just gets better. There is so much to do and as much as I have done and flooded your facebook walls with my photos, there's still so much I want to do: more palaces, sightseeing, touring, exploring, finding hole-in-the-wall places, things not in a lonely planet book, and more. Just more. At this point, I don't want anything to stop yet and I feel if I'm not doing something I'm not making the most of my time, though my purpose here is not only as a tourist, so this sets me back a bit, which I'll elaborate later in this post.

Seoul FoodSo when I look back on all my photos, there's been a lot of food, but you may be shock that this is actually not the top damage in my budget. Meals in Seoul has been way cheaper than a meal in Edmonton. I have also noticed that Korean food is generally more healthy with less fried, greasy, or msg added foods. However, having analyzed my consumption habits, I think this next month I will aim to lessen my indulgence at all those unique cafes and bakeries and try to eat in more. I am on my way to figuring out what is cheap to buy at grocery stores and I think with better planning skills, I will be able to keep my wallet and waistline in tack. Sometimes eating out can be cheaper than eating in, but when you split the cooking time and costs with friends, anything is possible. Actually, I really do miss making food for myself too.

Seoul PeopleKoreans are a different bunch of people. Having been to HK a handful of time, I would never consider ever in my entirety live there, but I would consider and love to live in Seoul. Having said that, this is what I'm thinking at this moment, who knows if I'll change my mind by the next month. Why you may ask? Well, for one thing, I couldn't figure it out for the longest time, but having skyped a friend earlier, I found the word. Passion. Koreans have passion in everything they do as if it was imbedded into them from day 1. Even the ajummas who clean after us college students have smiles on their faces and greet us with enthusiasm when we passed by (and who likes having to clean up piles of cup noodles, wipe disgusting stains in the kitchen, and trash garbage dumped all over the lounge?! seriously, some students are so dirty here) Koreans may look, stare, and even point at you when your a foreigner, but its really just out of curiosity or care for you (don't be shock if an ajumma slaps your leg for not wearing socks outdoors during the winter months).

Seoul CultureI have close to no culture shock. There are a few things I was quite taken a back by, such as the affection same sex genders show for each other (especially guys), but I've come to acknowledge that this is their way of caring for each other and its rather a cute bro-mance. The mannerisms of Korean guys are so different from American guys, and its actually so sweet to see a guy hugging their guy friend when they meet them. Though, I do dislike those who spit and the vast amount of males that smoke in public and their admittance to smoke indoors at certain places (ugh). I also cannot understand why a girl would ruin her outer beauty by smoking either, but the choice is hers. As for the language barrier, its been better than I thought, and I find myself improving in my Korean as I'm constantly expose to it. I am also loving all the walking I am doing-tanking all those stairs and steep climbs.

Seoul Education/YonseiYou may not have known, but I didn't know until I arrived either that my university is considered an "Ivy League" school of Korea, one of the top three universities that spell out 'SKY' (Seoul, Korea, and Yonsei Uni respectively). Despite this fancy label, in the shoes of an exchange student, there is no pressure for us to live up to this title as we are marked on a pass/fail basis (having said that, I definitely want a mark better than a pass). So far, I don't feel any stress yet and perhaps for one thing it's because I'm only taking 4 courses, 1 is taekwondo so pretty much the workload is three classes. To be honest, I haven't really been keeping up with my studious habits as I would in Edmonton, but I need to do something about it before all my uni skills goes sliding. It's one thing to label yourself as an exchange student and define it as an overseas escape to fun, but another thing to ruin your transcript and have your escape backfire to doom. Thus, I am still trying to figure out a balancing act before school and play.

Seoul Life & BeyondUp to now, everything has been pretty much smooth sailing. Friends have asked if I'm homesick and the answer is no, I'm not. Being here has allowed me to learn things I wouldn't learn living at home such as buying groceries and living with a roommate (Amen, because mine is an absolute sweetheart), and if I was independent before, I feel that more than ever now. Sometimes, I do wish my friends back home could be here to experience what I am experiencing, but otherwise, I am cherishing my time here with passion like a Korean. With tentatively three more months to go, I will use all of my energy to do well in school, play harder, explore deeper, and travel farther.

Happy one month Seoul!