My sister's coming to visit!

Last weekend my sister finally confirmed her flight ticket to Korea!

I'm so happy that she's decided to fly the 25 hour journey to see me...

She's the bestest.

We have a very special, and pretty weird relationship.

It looks something like this

We're super close and very weird around each other -
it's a true kind of love.
Also added to this is the fact that I haven't seen ANY family since I left Cape Town in April   last year.

 I predict some crying (in my mind they'll be joyful tears of love but in reality it's going to be loud ugly cries and awkwardly long hugs where my sister tries to get away). 

I'm a happy crier. 

My sister is not going to be impressed.

This makes the crying even more enjoyable I think ^^

It'll be the first time she's leaving South Africa on her own 

so I'm hoping her first overseas experience is wonderful.

Commence Epic Planning of Koreanness.

(Koreanness is not a word - I just made it up)

At the moment, my Epic Planning of Koreanness looks like this:

Feed Her
See Exciting Stuffs
See Korean Stuffs
Go SHOPPING

Apparently my list-making skills aren't very detailed or comprehensive.
According to other more informed people, this kind of planning leaves something to be desired.

So I decided to do some real planning...
SERIOUS PLANNING

Feed her

This is important.

Korean Food. Because we will be in Korea.

Ideas Include: Bibimbap, kimchi, dakgalbi, samgypsal, galbi, solongtang, jajangmeon, jimdak

Hopefully her reaction to Korean food will be something like this

See Exciting Stuffs

um...

I'm exciting right? OK so she'll see me. That's exciting.

Maybe a Korean baseball game and a water park would also be good bonuses of excitement.

See more Korean Stuffs

Korean palaces, Hanbok Village, Tea Houses, Namsan Tower, museums,
Hello Kitty Cafe , cat and dog cafes, jimjilbangs...

We're in Korea. I'm pretty sure she'll see Korean stuffs.
If she doesn't, I'm officially the worst tour guide EVER.

Go SHOPPING

YES. This I've got down.

Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, Insadong, Gimpo Mall, COEX.
Plus a few underground markets here and there.

One thing I can do = SHOPPING.

This will be our shopping face

Hopefully my planning will all be worth it and the baby sis will have a lovely Korean trip.
Or I'll lose her and my parents will never speak to me again.

Hold thumbs for me... It could go either way.
(To Laura: I joke! I will not lose you!!!)

During her stay in Korea,
I'll keep everyone updated with our adventures and misadventures,
so make sure to check up on LeecheeLaughs in the coming weeks...


*All gifs are taken from kikinitinkorea* 

Thai Restaurant in Itaewon - Buddha's Belly

When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing or why I was doing it. At the time, it seemed like a nice idea and I liked the idea of recording the things I've done in Korea and the places I've traveled. Over the past few months, my little blog has evolved into one that records my personal experiences and stories. I'm liking how the stories have really made my life in Korea more accessible to my family and friends back home. My hope is that they can hear my voice as I retell these stories - just as if I were back in South Africa, sitting at a cafe and chatting over a cappuccino.

In keeping with the theme of blogging about my experiences, I've decided that a good addition to LeecheeLaughs is a foody section. I'm definitely not much of a cook, but I can certainly eat eat eat. I was raised in a pretty large but close knit family, all of whom LOVE to eat. Our family gatherings centered on good food, copious amounts of wine and retelling of embarrassing family stories. It's a time filled with laughter and raucous behaviour (the likes of which should never be allowed in public areas). The love of food comes straight from my family and forms part of the person I am. Dinner with friends has become such a huge part of my life in Korea, not only because I haven't got family to share my meals with but also because eating out is usually less expensive than grocery shopping.

"People who love to eat, are always the best people" Julia Child

So in the spirit of yummy food, good friends who love food, and lovely times due to food sharing... In my first edition of the foody section, I introduce:

Buddha's Belly

This wonderful Thai restaurant sits atop Itaewon's busy streets towards Noksapyeong Station.

Directions: Itaewon Station, Exit 1. Walk straight until the sidewalk splits up a hill. Walk for 2 minutes up the hill and Buddha's Belly is on your left.

The menu has a comprehensive list of Thai cuisine
and most dishes have a vegetarian, chicken or beef option which was a nice touch.

Overall impression: Great atmosphere. Good food, reasonably priced. Definitely a good time.

I ordered a Panang Curry with beef because it was a creamy and milder alternative to the other the choices on the menu. I was a little skeptical because I'd had the best curry in Thailand a few months before and I was bracing myself for some disappointment.

My friend decided to go with Pad Thai (on the agreement that we'd share).

Chicken Pad Thai

Both dishes were great and well prepared. The curry was however the clear winner and the flavour was as close to authentic Thai curry as I can remember. A lovely dish.

The Pad Thai was a little bland but still passably good. Neither dish disappointed.

Curry for the win!

All in all, the restaurant is a great place to go for a relaxed date
or to spend some quality time with friends... 

The patio doors open out onto the street
while the balcony overlooks Itaewon's bustling nightlife. 

And it successfully manages to capture the vibrancy of the city
without being right smack in the middle of it. 

We had a lovely Thai dinner. 

And enjoyed the whole experience immensely.

Definitely going back.

Korean Travels: Gyeongju

Gyeongju is one of my favourite places in Korea.

It boasts two World Heritage sites due its historic position 

as the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty.

The Silla Dynasty was one of the three ancient kingdoms of Korea.

And as the capital of one of these dynasties,
Gyeongju, exemplifies the wealth of history Korea is build upon.

The lovely city is a beautifully preserved representation of

a history rich in Korean culture.

We decided to visit the famed city just as winter was ending, 

and although most tourists rush to Gyeongju to experience the cherry blossom festival

(which is crazy beautiful),

our post-winter visit had a certain charm.

The sparsity of the trees and landscape was in itself an unique experience.

We meandered through the small town, past ice-covered lakes,
 enjoyed the first signs of spring and welcomed the sunshine.

We spent some time exploring the lovely city.

We stacked some stones for good health...

And realised just how stunningly beautiful Gyeongju is...

Deareungwon
At this site, ancient tombs of Korean royals rise out of the ground in perfect hills.

Poseokjeong Watercourse
Used as a designated meeting place, this artificial stream was used to float wine glasses around
to each member of the group.
It is an ancient wine stream... We need more of these. Just saying.

First, we joined a planned tour of the area 

and then later decided to rent bikes to do our own investigating.

So we decided to head out on our own,
to be brave,
face the unknown,
go where none had gone before.

And that is how we got lost.
Ended up on some highway,
and Sharise had to fight off a rouge dog.

The trip was unlike anything else I've experienced while traversing Korea.

A lovely contrast of old and new,

the city is undeniably one which gives you a true sense of Korea's past.

we were so excited to be there

And then we were very tired

But it was a good kind of tired,

the kind where you are so tired you pass out before dinner time,

and have to get McDonald's because everything else is closed at midnight.