Discovering a gemlike park behind mapo post office

Fall is finally here!

We took a nice long stroll in our neighborhood and discovered this park that was tucked in behind "mapo post office"(it's in renovation right now until the end of this year, it's torn down and being rebuilt). 

There's a small "farmers market" across the mapo post office and when you walk behind it, there's a long long long park...!

It's amazing what you miss right under your nose!  So happy we finally decided to walk through this market and discover this awesome park.

Unfortunately we didn't take many photos be we were so ingrained in the walk, the tress and the serene atmosphere. 

We will have to take my dslr to do its justice.  It's really so beautiful what a piece of land of trees and flowers can bring.

I can't wait to bring you more about this park!

Namsan Tower

this tower means so much to us.

since being in seoul, it has never left our vision.

will you still be around wherever we go~~~

Youido park

One hot summer day, we took a sweaty stroll in youido park!

Other than being sweltering hot that particular day, I remember how lush and green the park was.  It was a nice but rather short break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hongdae : Playground

how fitting for Hongdae :)



at a playground in Hongdae "flee market" park, also called "hong-ik-gong-won", or "hong-il-children's park".

oh it's not a huge park at all~ but it's a fun place on the wkends where flee markets and performances are held. 

there was one a very confusing act when a man was patrolling a naked female mannikin (and touching it erotically) while a band was playing. we thought he was part of act/band, but later realized that he was definitely not any part of it.

it gets pretty interesting in hongdae. people dont look the same. you will see more ripped clothing/piercings/colors compared to the other "areas" of seoul, like SHINSA. shinsa and hongdae are two very different areas.

but i find that very appealing about seoul.  there are different "areas" with all different personalities in this city.  itaewon being a "multi cultural" area, kangnam as the "young crowd" area, non-hyun-dong being the "salary men" area, apgujeong as the "im all that" area, hongdae as the "free spirit artsy" area....so on~  and these areas change over time and new "areas" emerge as well.  Shinsa being one of the newest one.  Hongdae has stayed as the artsy area for a while now and I don't think it's going to change anytime soon.  Some know it for the "clubs" at nights, but it is a different place during the day time.  You will find cute cafes hiding somewhere around the corner~  it's a nice place to get lost~ 

You can get off at HONGDAE, HAPJEONG or SANGSU station to explore the "hongdae" area.  it takes about an area of 3 subway stops.  Again, don't be afraid to get lost~~ Seoul is safe and it's not as big as it sounds.  But if you end up getting lost, you can get a taxi and get back to where you want to be safely.  Taxi fares are not expensive btw.  So get your most comfortable gears on (shoes-outfit) and take a walk around "hongdae" area~~ that's how you really get to see the city~^^

Namsan Park - wkend workout

did some real exercising for the first time in forever.. we climbed/walked/ran to namsan tower.



a nice walk way and perfect weather!



view from half way up the mt.



we did the loopy loop walk way where many tourists were walking.. it was nice to see families out together.. was such a perfect day!

so i promised myself to keep this up! i forgot how good it feels to exercise!

seoul world cup stadium

ive only seen soccer action on tv, so to finally see my favorite sport of all time LIVE.. was an experience ill never forget!!

the game started at 7:00pm, but we arrived at the gate at 4:30ish to make sure we got there early and maybe get lucky and get an autograph?! i did bring a permanent marker just in case~

the stadium is huge outside.. almost got lost finding our gate and entrance.. but found it eventually after being lost for 10mins. prior to going in, we had our bags checked and stuff for security.

and a big banner of the game :) so exciting! it's a friendly match between the two.



we got to another entrance and showed our tickets and finally IN IN IN the stadium!!! we were both awed by the view and stadium..because for a second, i think we both thought we were in OLD TRAFFORD (Manchester United's).. hehe.. the red.. and the view going in the stadium was really breath taking.. we were so excited.


a friendly ajoshi w his lil girl took our photo voluntarily. see koreans can be nice~ jk jk.. (but really, i feel like the new generation of koreans - even some ajoshis are more pleasant these days)



just look at the view... we were probably the first 10 people to get in the stadium!! literally was near empty. we had ROW 14 - seat 17&18. looking for our seats..we realized we were actually on the first section of the benches!! woohoo!! 14 rows from the front! we were closer than we hoped :D yay!



ahh~ it's nice~ high five~


i havent felt this touristy(?) and anxious about something since we were out of the country! oooh, so so looking forward to the game.



what perfect weather!... perfect just perfect indeed. i brought my sweater with me and actually wore it until the middle of the game bc i started getting sweaty from all the action.



some media people on the front.



hey camera! camera testing. we were almost 2.5 hrs early and preparations were heavy and serious.


for the silly. a lil make belief that we're in old trafford.. :P





EAT TIME!! yum yums were right down the hall. andrew got us a lunch box of kimbap and sandwiches.



delightfully good!!



on my lap to my belly.



what's a game without mekju!!? yumyum.



ACKS!!! far away on the other side, we see!!! i think those are them!!?! in their training gear?! could it be? could JISUNG be there?! wish we were on that side.. they looked around and went in after few mins.

at least the cutest mascot to turn our frowns upside down appeared at the very right moment!! :P he waved and danced and jiggled to the cutest ways! here he is going around welcoming everyone^^



wearing the very famous 7 of PARK JI SUNG :)



uhoh.. people are piling in!!! it's almost.. almost game time. one hr more!




(part 2 coming up)