Day 1 of 10: South Korea Journey |Myeongdong Market. Myeongdong Cathedral. SM Town Stardium. Lotte Young Plaza. Namdaemun Market. Chonggyecheon Stream|

(October 23, 2014)

Since it's just our first day in Seoul, we decided to just roam around the vicinity of our place which is in Myeongdong. We went outside our hostel at 12 noon and we decided that are our first pit would be the Myeongdong Cathedral. When we went outside our hostel, we were greeted with super cold weather. It was a sunny day but the wind was blowing seriously cold and we seriously weren't prepared for this kind of weather.

As we walked at the streets of Chungmuro, we spotted the famous Namsan Tower! We were really surprised that we are just minutes away to it. We didn't see it last night maybe because we were so busy finding our hostel. It was so beautiful that I can't stop looking at it even we're crossing the streets. ♥

View of Namsan Tower from the streets of Myeongdong

We pass through the Myeongdong Market which was full of people. The streets were very crowded that time and we started wondering why. We even thought that there was an event happening but later on, we found out that it was already lunch time and all these people are office workers  and they were out to have their meal. (So stupid of us hahaha) 

Korean locals on their way to have their lunch. 

With the help of our tourist map and the sign boards on the streets, we were able to find Myeongdong Cathedral easily. We weren't able to attend the mass because its schedule didn't match the time we went there. Instead we just went inside to pray. I believe in the superstition that if it's your first time visiting a church, you have to make a wish. So since it was my first time visiting Myeongdong Cathedral, once I stoop inside the church, I immediately bow down and whispered my prayer. The Cathedral was so beautiful and peaceful. You could really feel the solemnity of the place. 

Myeongdong Cathedral

     

Inside shot of the Cathedral.

I don't know what happened to me because I was not feeling well that day. My stomach was hurting even before we went outside our hotel, and i keep on complaining about it. I don't know if it's because of the extreme coldness or because we still haven't eaten anything yet since breakfast (or maybe both haha). So we decided to take a rest at a bench beside the church. I was thankful though with what happened to me (yes i am) because I was able to observe and take in the wonderfulness of the place. I was able to watch the locals roaming and walking around the area. It was heart-warming to just let all of these sink in to your system and you can't feel anything besides being grateful that finally you are now at your dream place.  

View in front of Myeongdong Cathedral

I was feeling a bit well minutes later, so we continue with our journey. We went next to the Lotte Young Plaza which is located along Myeongdong too. It is a high-end department store which sells items, clothing, shoes, bags and other things mostly for teenagers or young ones (from the name itself).  

We first went to the basement which we didn't know where SM Town Stardium was located. It is a store which sells items and merchandises from SM Company with their artists' signature or picture. Since I am a fan of EXO (an SM coimpany artists), I was so happy! I cannot contain my emotion, seriously. I almost want to buy all the stuff at the store but it's too expensive and is really not ideal. So what I did was I took pictures inside because it's much more memorable than anything else. 

Lotte Young Plaza

Stairs leading to SM Town Stadium

Photo with EXO-K. Oops!

SM Town Merchandise (I am not bias at all haha)

We went through floors one to five. We just roam around the mall mostly, scanning their products. I didn't find any item which is cheap, seriously. It is really a high-end store which sells costly things. So we just decided to go to the mall's roof garden. It was so beautiful and it has a place for those people who wants to just hangout. 

Whatcha thinking, Amira? ♥ 

Goofy and selfie time with my cousin.

We went next to Namdaemun Market which is a bit far from Myeongdong but still a walking distance (10-minute walk from Lotte Young Plaza). We exited at the back of Lotte Young Plaza and went straight ahead. We passed through Bank of Korea and Seoul Central Post Tower Office, then found Namdaemun Market along the area.

Seoul Central Post Tower Office 

Spotted: The famous green bus.

Namdaemun Market is like the Divisoria of the Philippines (but more organized and clean). You could find cheap and low-priced items here. From clothes to caps to shoes to bags to everything! Actually, my cousin and I were able to bought a jacket for only ₩22,000 which was originally ₩24,000. We bought the jackets from an ahjumma who greeted us very warmly. She really tried hard to speak in English in order to be able to communicate with us. She's also kept on winking every time she gives a discount. (Which i don't know why we seriously felt delighted about.) That's one of the many things I have observed about them, Koreans; they're all polite and would always greet a person with a smile pasted on their faces which will not let a tourist feel that there is a language and culture barrier.

Namdaemun Market

First encounter with a local. ♥ 

Before heading to our next place, we first stopped for a snack. We forgot to ask what they call that food so i will just describe it to you. It is a sausage wrapped in fishcake, deep-fried and is placed on a stick which is sold for only ₩3000. It was so delicious, that you wouldn't even know that it's a fish unless someone tells you that it is one. Really. It's a must try. 

(By the way, if you want to experience and taste Korean street foods, there are many different stalls and variation of foods located in both Namdaemun and Myeongdong Market.)   

Our next stop was at Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is one of the famous landmarks in Seoul because of its intact history. It is a stream running through Central Seoul from west to east. It said that it was just only a canal where housewives do their laundry during the Joseon Dynasty. Now, it is a major  spot where Korean couples date or even a me time place for Koreans. 

My cousin doesn't look ecstatic here, but I am telling you she is!

Uhm excuse me handsome, I'm taking a picture.

Chong Gye Cheon Stream

We also went to the Korea Tourist Organization which is located in Mugyu-ro, just beside the stream. It's a good thing we found the office because we were able to ask about the the things we need to know for our next trips in our itinerary. If you want to know anything about their tourism and if you need help with regards to anything, there are staff who are assigned mainly to provide service specially for the tourist.

Korea Tourist Office

We stayed for I think half an hour in the stream and after, we decided to head back. As we were walking back, we have encountered many other worthy things. Like we came across some Korean locals who were wearing Hanbok and were parading down the busy streets of Seoul.  

Marilyn Monroe statue in an American restaurant. 

We also went to Myeongdong Market later that night and we were able to witness the vibrant and alive feeling of the place. The place is more satisfying to visit at night. The locals are turning their day into night and vice versa so it's like the peak hours of this market is during night time. 

  

There were also tons of food stalls and variety of delicacies to eat and choose from along the streets. So we didn't pass the chance and tasted some of it. 

Black noodles. Yum!

After passing by Myeongdong Market, we decided to have our dinner at a cafe nearby our hostel which is the Paris Baguette. Their coffee and breads are the best! Especially the one i bought which is the melon bread, oh my god. ♥  Their foods are affordable which ranges from ₩7,000 to ₩10,000.  We still haven't have this cafe in the Philippines, so you have to never forget to visit and ate in one once you travel to Seoul. 

Paris Baguette's interior. 

My cousin's happy face after a day fun-filled day.

♥ 

Since it's our first day on a place where we have no clue or idea about it, we initially thought that we had to ride a cab or subway so that we could reach a specific place. But at the end of our first day, we found out that we are indeed near from almost all the famous landmarks in Seoul. We just studied the tourist map given to us at the airport and we didn't actually needed to ride any transportation to be able to reach it because they are all minutes and walk-away from our staying place which is in KW Hostel in Myeongdong. 

It was a fun and wonderful first day which made me and my cousin both excited for the succeeding days of our journey at the Land of the Morning Calm. ♥ 

Day 1/2 of 10: South Korea Journey

October 22, 2014, Wednesday, at exactly 3:30 PM, our Cebu Pacific plane with the flight number 5J188 departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was headed to Incheon International Airport, South Korea. 

I was very fortunate that I was able to see the sunset by the plane which is the most stunning thing i have ever seen in my entire life. ❤

The plane safely landed in Incheon International Airport at 7:30 KST. (For those who didn't know, Korean time is 1 hour ahead from the Philippine time.) It was a 4-hour flight from Manila to Incheon. My cousin and I were both excited because we thought that this was it! The journey to our dream destination is finally starting. When the jet bridge was connected to the plane, the passengers immediately head their way to the exit. Once we step foot to it, we already felt chilly. Later on we found out that the temperature was 10 degree Celsius, and we were definitely not prepared for it. 

I was completely amazed with Incheon International Airport. It is elegant, huge and very clean. It was so big that you have to first ride a train from the arrival place to the other side of the airport where you will get your luggage. Hands down to their disciplined and organized system at the airport! I haven't been to other country and haven't seen their airport but I could say that Incheon International Airport gave justice to their title being the world's best airport. I am sorry but i cannot avoid comparing it to our country's airport. Our airport is nothing compared to theirs. (Calling the attention of our government officials!) 

We walked straight to the immigration for the foreigners and have them check our ticket and passport. We were greeted with warm and excellent service from the staff. After that we get our luggage at the conveyor and headed straight at the airport's lobby. Since we were an independent travelers, there's no one to fetch us at the airport. We seriously don't have any idea on where to go and what to do. So like what everyone say, if you don't know something, ask. It's a good thing there is an information desk for tourist inside the airport. We asked the crew and she gladly assisted us with our queries. She guided us and gave us the direction on everything, as in everything! She even gave us a piece of paper with Korean words written on it and told us to show it to the bus driver. 

As we went outside to wait for the bus, we were greeted with super cold weather. We only stayed minutes outside the airport but we were already chilling. (It was extremely cold!) The bus came and there's an ahjussi who helped us with our luggage. The transportation fee from Incheon Airport to Seoul is ₩10,000 and you have to give it to the collector before riding the bus. 

Since we were staying at KW Hostel in Myeongdong, it is located at the last stop of the bus route which is in Chungmuro, Jung-gu. So it's like we were given a night tour at Seoul which we were so happy about that time. Once we reached the stop, the same ajhussi from the airport get our luggage from the bus trunk and helped us. The staff from the hostel that we stayed at, gave us the direction to help us reach their place easily. We followed the instructions given and thanks to heavens we were able to find it in less than 5 minutes. 

KW Hostel in Myeongdong

By the way, we booked our hostel through agoda.com. This is a very ideal and recommended way of finding your place to stay when travelling. Not only because you can book your hotel ahead but also you will be less hassled. I could give a 3/5 rating to this hostel. They provided quality service and were able to assist us with every queries that we had. The only problem was that the facilities inside the hostel is a bit low-maintained so there were minor problems we encountered. But wholly, if you're not a picky person, this hostel can be convenient for you.

If you plan to book and look for other information about KW Hostel in Myeongdong, click here.

Visa Application Story

I'm sorry but this needs a separate blog because the things I've experienced here was considered as one of the most unforgettable moments in my life. 

Even before the time we went to the embassy, there were so many things that's been bothering me. It was when we read the visa application requirements (yes, requirements again). All the requirements fitted to my status except for one, I will be needing my parents' financial support document. After reading it i started to lose hope again, because i kept on thinking how would i do that? My mother is working abroad so definitely she won't have any records like the ITR and certificate of employment here in our country. Actually she has, but it is written in Arabic (like how would i make the Korean consul in the embassy read an Arabic notes?) I started to get panicked after that. I called their inquiry hotline and was not satisfied with the answer so I personally went to the embassy to ask for an alternative. I told them my situation, and asked them if i could use my brother as my sponsor for the trip instead of my parent. They told me that it's okay to do that but there will be no assurance. (Woah) I was starting to get scared that time and i seriously don't know what to do anymore. My cousin and i talked and came to a decision that we will do everything we can, provide every requirement that is needed and try our luck to be approved.

According to the South Korean Embassy, which is located at Mckinley Hill in Taguig City, the tourist visa validity in their country only last for 59 days. Thus, it is very ideal to apply for your visa a month or weeks before your trip so that it will fit to the days of your stay in their country. As I've mentioned on my previous blog, our travel date was set to October 22 until November 2. As far as i remember we went to the embassy 3 times. Each has a story and experiences worth sharing.

Our first visit was on August 29, 2014. Before this day came, i kept on praying for guidance from Him.

August 29, the first day of our visa application. My cousin, Ate Cathy, told me that we're just going to meet at the bus terminal. Before i went outside our house, i was contemplating on what to wear, then later on decided to wear an old stripes shirt which I've not worn in ages. I changed my clothes and took off. When i was at the tricycle, there's an old lady who took the same tricycle i am in who was also wearing a stripes shirt with the same design as mine. I don't know what happened but i immediately said to myself that if i see another person wearing that kind of shirt then definitely we will be approved. I was starting to get nervous as I came near the terminal because i haven't seen any person wearing it. Not long after that, i spotted my cousin and (guess what?) to my surprise, she was wearing a black and white stripes shirt! I was teary-eyed while I was approaching her and then she asked me what's wrong. I told her everything and we both started claiming happily that we will get approved. You know that was the first time i believed and trusted signs in my entire existence in this world.

The embassy didn't process my requirements at first because I lack one so I have to go back and fix it. When i went the following week they processed it and I was very happy. We came back at the embassy on September 12 for its release.

(This is a very funny and worthwhile story) The staff on the information desk gave us a number slot and we were tasked to wait for our turn. Minutes later, the consul started calling numbers and starts giving out passports. I was called first and i decided not to open it until my cousin gets hers. As i was observing other applicants, they were just opening their passports at the middle and they would immediately see the visa on the page there. I saw some of the faces were happy and some look disappointed. I started peeking through my passport but then I get nervous because I can't see the visa! I told my cousin about it and i can feel that she's getting nervous too. As we waited for her turn to be called, I put my passport inside my bag without opening it. I was seriously close to tears that time. Her turn came and the consul gave the passport to her. We immediately went outside the building and like any other applicants, she opened her passport at the middle and found the visa there. I opened mine too and like what i have guessed awhile ago, I didn't find anything. (I was almost crying during this time) She grabs my passport from my hand and started looking through the pages. And then in an instant (with our constant prayers and the help from my angel and my angel's friends) she found it! I didn't see it because it was located just right before the middle page. Without considering that we were right in front of the embassy and there were other people outside the building, my cousin and I shouted, jumped and hugged each other for so much joy. After that, we were like on a cloud nine. Even when we were at the mall, we would just be quiet and look into space and daydream of things because of so much excitement and delight. Because what the heck! We will be flying to Korea (our dream destination) in just a month! ❤

For the information about the schedules and requirements for Korean visa application, you may check here.

Plane Booking. Passport Renewal.

Passport Renewal

After my 18th birthday, i didn't waste any time and immediately applied for the renewal of my passport. Since I was not a minor anymore, i bravely went to DFA (yes, i was alone) and without any hassle, i was able to renew my passport. All i did was made an appearance and presented them the requirements. Viola! Passport renewed!

For the requirements for passport application check here.
And, for the requirements for passport renewal check here.

During the time when i was doing this, luckily, DFA opened their South branch in Metro Gaisano in Alabang Town Center. I was so happy because i am just residing in Alabang and it was like 10 minutes away from our house (advantages are all mine haha). Now with regards to their service system, I could say that I was satisfied. It was not like their system years ago wherein applicants should fall in like 5 lines before you are able to apply for a passport. I still remember me and my dad's experience when we first applied for my passport in 2007 (it was so awful, seriously). Today the first thing you have to do is to set an appointment and it's done through online. You / the applicants will be the one to choose what time would you want to process the application. The choice is all yours which made it very convenient. (Thumbs up for this progress!)

Plane Booking

This is where everything started. One fine night last November 2013, my cousin suddenly called and asked me what date would i want to visit South Korea. At first i was like 'what's wrong with my cousin' 'what is she talking about' then seconds after she asked me again and told me to think faster because there is an airfare promo happening. After that we both started to be in panic mode and we were talking like idiots (seriously) over the phone. Since i am still a student, the only vacation i have are summer, semester break and Christmas vacation. As for her situation, she wouldn't have any problem because she could file a vacation leave anytime she want. So we chose semester break of 2014.

You may be wondering why did we booked our flight a year earlier. Well that's the technique in order for you to find cheaper airfares. Airline companies are all having their annual promo fares during the first, mid and last months of the year. So if you're going to choose to book flights on the last month of the year, of course your travelling period would be on the following year. And if you book flights during these period you could seriously save a lot of money. Guaranteed!

Our chosen travel date was October 22, 2014 - November 2, 2014. I know, we were crazy to go on a 10-day trip to a country we've never been in, but sorry guys, we are talking about South Korea here. There's really no explanation needed there. (Hahaha) No, honestly, we picked a 10-day trip because we want to make our trip worthwhile since it's a once lifetime opportunity. Because who would know when will we be going back to South Korea again right? So why not visit and do everything you want in your dream destination country while you can. ❤

(Problems Encountered) Post Korea Trip

Did you know that before we succeeded and were able to visit South Korea, me and my cousin (but it's mostly me) had to experience hardships first? Okay, let me share it to you.

Originally, we first plan our trip sometime in the year 2012. I can't remember the date clearly but i guess it's close to July or August of that year. Everything was perfectly planned but later on when i checked my passport, it was already expired so i had to renew it first. (That really sucks, I know.)

Here were the problems we encountered:

First: When i check the requirements for the renewal of passport, I still fall under the minor category because I was only 17 years old back then. One of the requirements for minor applicant is to be accompanied by the parents and to have their personal appearance at the DFA. But since my mother is working abroad, she was not able to accompany me. We did everything. We even pushed my mother to make an authorization letter from abroad and have it delivered to us. But that's just impossible and we know that the DFA won't approve of it. So there's nothing we could do but to cancel it.

Second: The second  problem has a connection with the first one. Since South Korea is not a visa-free country (alongside Japan), we also have to check the requirements for the visa application. One of the requirements stated their is that the passport should be valid for more than six months. So it just says that even if i was able to have my passport renewed, i will still be denied with the visa application because i wouldn't be able to meet their requirements.

These two problems told me that it's not yet time...

Seoul; forever in my soul.

Since this blog is supposed to be a travel blog, let's serve its purpose. I am now going to give to you the story about our crazy, amazing and wonderful trip in the land of the morning calm, South Korea!

But before anything else, i will first give you a glimpse to the story as to why Korea became my dream destination. I think it was in 2006 when my cousin (the best cousin a person could ever have) introduced this super fun and kilig 21-episode drama about a prince and an ordinary girl who were put under the fix marriage system. Have you guessed what it is? Yes, it's the famous Princess Hours! That's the time when i got addicted to koreanovelas. Later on it was followed by Boys Over Flowers in 2009 (I was once a victim of the 'Jun Pyo spell' hahaha) I got addicted to it to the point where i watched the whole drama 9 times. I could say that this drama is where i SERIOUSLY became interested not only to the celebrities and their beautiful skin (yes their skin, because who wouldn't be curious as to why they have such fair and smooth skin. Don't judge me here, i know you belong to the clan hahaha) but also became interested with their place, culture and way of life.

This was also the time where i started making goals and promises to myself. Like i remember one time when i was watching BOF, i told this to myself - "Kapag talaga pumunta si Lee Min Ho dito pupuntahan ko talaga, kahit sa Cebu pa yan". (Look at how addicted i was haha). As time went by and as the Korean culture continuously invade my life, my goals became deeper and profound. I started wishing and claiming na "Korea ang unang tatatak sa passport ko." "South Korea will be the first country that i will visit." True to this statements, back in 2010 my Titas invited me to join them to their Hong Kong trip. It was an all expenses paid trip. All i need to do was to say yes, but do you know what i did? I declined to it. (I am crazy, I know.) Why? Because i have this goals i am holding to. I told myself that I may not be able to do it that time, but i know i can and i will, in God's perfect time. Now look, it all happened!

And now, i am going to share  to you our roller-coaster-of-emotions experiences in this beautiful country, South Korea!

I am going to share the real story on my next blog, don't you worry. I just need to make my lesson plan first because tomorrow will be the first day of school after the students' Christmas break. (Priorities, priorities!)
See youu.

xo

New year, new life?

Hello beautiful world! It's 2015 now. Happy new year! Time really flies very fast what is happening with the world. The last time I remember i was only eating my Gerber but now I eat everything that I see, even people. (That was lame i know sorry hahaha!)

It's the time of the year again where people are constantly making their resolutions in life. I think that since it's 2015 now, we should all wake up from this belief.  We should all know that we could dream, achieve or change something in our life WHENEVER we want to. We don't need to wait for January 1st before we take actions. Everyday is an opportunity to be who and what you want to be. (I just made and blurted out that quotation like just seconds ago.) So get up from your bed and do it right now! You want to get high grades? Study hard! You want to lose that belly fat that's making you feel less about yourself? Work that butt out and exercise! If you want to achieve something, work hard for it. Simple as that!

May we all have a fruitful, blessed and wonderful 2015. Happy New Year!