Wandering Wednesdays | Beijing, China 2006

In 2006, I used to work for a Chinese travel agency, FlyChina. When I graduated from college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. My career path was unclear and I spent a few months trying to figure it out. One day I saw an ad for travel agent job. I applied thinking that it was unlikely they would hire me. They called that same day, I had an interview and was hired.

Within three months of working there, they offered me an opportunity to go on a fam trip or familiarization trip. It's basically a trip that travel agents can go on to familiarize themselves with the country they are trying to send tourists. This trip was for five days to Beijing. Included in this trip were flights to Beijing, five-star hotel accommodation, transfers from airport, tours everyday and all meals. The total cost for this trip? $300. How could I say no?

I was able to go with another agent from work and we had a great time bonding. We spent those five days going all over Beijing. We visited every tourist attraction possible. We saw The Great Wall, The Forbidden Palace, Temple of Heaven and more. The best part was that we didn't have to plan a single thing. Every minute of the day was planned. Usually, I don't like that sort of thing, but who am I to complain for such a cheap trip?

It was my first time in Asia and I was surprised at how much I loved it. It was crowded and full of people that looked like me, it was perfect. My trip to China was my first taste of the Eastern world. I was amazed at how different it was from everything I knew. I spent the next 5 years plotting a way to make it back to Asia. 

Great Wall of China

Tiananmen Square

Forbidden Palace

Oktoberfest 2012

This year, we went to the annual Oktoberfest at the Nongshim Brau in Busan. I've never been to any type of Oktoberfest before, but I'm glad that this was my first experience with the German celebration. Celebrating in Korea is a bit kooky and eccentric, but it was a lot of fun. There were Koreans dressed in traditional German garb and the fest was held in September. It's a bit strange, but it's Korea, we usually don't try and question these things.

For this event, there were 3 types of beer that were created in house by a gentleman that studied brewing in Germany. In Korea, it's very hard to find a good beer. There are 3 popular brands here, Hite, Cass and Max and they all taste horrible, like Natty Light or Coors. I'm not a beer aficionado, but I know a good beer when I taste it.

We went with our dear friends Hazel & Charlie, a delightful British couple. The place was packed full of foreigners and Koreans. I felt like I ran into every foreigner I've ever met in Korea. For the price of admission 10,000 won ($10) you received a souvenir mug with the culturally relevant mustache and 500cc of beer. Each 500cc serving of beer after was only 3,000 won ($3). It was definitely a great deal.
 
We spent the night enjoying the home brewed beer, playing games, catching up with old friends and making new friends. There was even great entertainment. Foreign bands singing hits from the 80s, 90s and even "Gangnam Style".  They even had dance offs and three dancing mugs of beer.

Even though we celebrated Oktoberfest far from it's origin, it still felt genuine and an experience I won't soon forget.

Creepy Cinema 2012

If you know me, you know that I cannot handle anything that is remotely scary or suspenseful. The minute a movie or TV show gets too intense, I either get up and walk away or I cover my eyes with my hands and peek through them.

I remember when I was younger I couldn't even watch episodes of "Are You Afraid of the Dark" without screaming or turning away. I attribute my fear of all things spooky to my two older brothers. They are much older than me and were always trying to scare their little sister. I can't tell you how many times they tricked me. My little heart couldn't handle it, so I was always afraid of things that go bump in the night.

Due to my complete lack of tolerance for scary things, I have missed out on many years of scary movie watching that is mandatory as an adolescent. No one in my family really likes scary movies, so I was never really exposed to them. However, Markus is an avid fan of all things horror. When we first started dating, he was completely appalled by this fact. For years, he's tried to get me to watch scary movies with him and every time he asked, I refused. The only way I would watch the movie is if he would tell me what would happen beforehand so I could cover my eyes. Silly? Yes, I know, but hey at least I tried. As time has gone by, I just refuse to watch a scary movie. I can't do it. I get all panicky and my heart beats really quickly. This year, I'm determined to break the curse. 

I'm going to spend all of October, all 31 days, watching some form of scary movie. I feel like after 9 years of watching scary movies alone, it's the least I could do for Markus. He's compiled a list of 31 movies that span the course of horror film history, and will introduce me to the world of Creepy Cinema. There are lots of moves that I haven't seen, some that I haven't seen in ages and a few that I really love. You know, some family friendly movies; I need to have some levity in the midst of all the suspense.  When making the list Markus tried to stray away from the blood and gore (i.e. Saw, Hostel, etc). There is no way I could last through 31 days of that. I think I would go crazy.

I must admit, I'm a bit worried for the next 31 days. I don't think I'll be able to handle it, but I'm determined to do this. I know I can do this. I have to do this, for Markus. Oh, the things we do for love. 

So how about you, dear readers, are you going to spend this October watching horror flicks?  Do you like scary movies? What are your favorites?

*Credits*
Skeleton, tree & paper clip art: The Graphics Fairy

Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Hotties of Creepy Cinema

lovecrumbs │ Edinburgh, Scotland

The afternoon we decided to throw the itinerary out the window we came across lovecrumbs, an amazing cake shop. It was the epitome of my dream place to write and brainstorm. Inside there was a hodgepodge of chairs and tables. Nothing really matched, yet everything seemed to go together. It was very rustic and homey. We spent at least two hours there talking and enjoying the company of good friends. 

Markus ordered a peach and blue cheese scone with a cappuccino. I ordered a slice of Vicky Sponge cake and an Elderflower presse. Everything was so delicious. The scone was a bit of a revelation for me. I love scones. I've only had sweet scones, so a scone that mixed savory and sweet was even better. I've never eaten Vicky Sponge cake and  so this was my introduction to this quintessential British treat. The tartness of the raspberry jam, sweetness of the cream and fluffiness of the sponge cake was amazing.

In Korea, we have lots of cafes and sweet shops, but everything always feels a bit cutesy. Lovecrumbs was cute, but in a different way. It was eccentric and whimsical and absolute perfection.  

Taal Volcano & Lake Taal │ Tagaytay, Philippines

Earlier this year, Markus and I went to the Philippines (P.I.). I've never been to my home country before and was really excited for the trip. My first experience in the Philippines was definitely interesting. Not sure how to completely describe it, but it was a trip that I will always remember, the good and the bad.  We spent most of our time in Tagaytay, where my mommyo and daddyo retired. 

Tagaytay is supposed to be "the place" in the Philippines to escape the heat. It's higher up in the mountains, thus creating a cooler temperature. Mommyo would not stop talking about how nice and cool it is there. Not sure what everyone was talking about, because it felt just like the rest of the country, hot as heck. 

Tagaytay is also known for Lake Taal and Taal Volcano, which is still an active volcano. There haven't been any eruptions since 1977, but it is definitely not dormant. It was very exciting taking a boat across Lake Taal to the bottom of the volcano. Although, the method of getting to the top was not ideal. 

Basically, there is a community of squatters that have lived at the bottom of the volcano for ages. The Philippine government wanted to relocate them somewhere else and build a resort, but decided that it would be best for the squatters to stay and become a sort of tour guide for Taal. They basically lead you to the top while you ride an extremely emaciated horse-pony. The guides then spend the next 45 minutes selling you a story and trying to get as much money out of you as possible.

I'm all for people working and living off the land, but when the two guides that were with Markus and I were discussing in Tagolog how to get more money out of us, it really put me in a bad mood. They didn't know that Markus speaks and understands Tagalog. So they basically concocted a fake wedding and children to try and swindle us out of money. It didn't help that Markus is culturally ambiguous and I look Korean. My own countrymen were constantly speaking to me in Korean and trying to get more money out of me. 

Despite the uncomfortable time spent with the guides, I enjoyed our time at Taal. There is nothing like standing at the top of a volcano. I doubt I'll ever experience anything like it again. I felt like a true explorer, conquering an active volcano with my emaciated horse-pony!

Reunited with my parents after 1 year

Another volcano on Lake Taal

Taal Volcano

Lake Taal