Summer riding

I cleaned and saddle soaped my tack and was ready to ride right after work. I badly needed to ride and feel light and free with so much stuff happening in the office. Just as I was getting ready to leave (I clock out at 3:30pm since I start my day at 6am), I received a calendar for a meeting. Uh oh! I had already changed from my office clothes to my riding gear and didn't feel comfortable going to a meeting like that.

They figured out that I had another appointment and so they didn't keep me too long :o)

Happy summer riding, y'all!

Seoul Searching

Finally the day came and we were off to Seoul. I was really excited since it'll be our first time to travel there. Dennis was absolutely wonderful and planned our itinerary, studied the places and printed a map to guide us around. A must for me and Matt, spoon and fork! We had a difficult time eating when we were in Hong Kong so this time, we came prepared.

Arrived at last, and when the airport glass doors slid open to the outside, my face quickly went numb from the cold. It was freezing! Coming from Manila with the weather at 33 degrees celsius to 0 degrees, it was a shock to the body! We quickly put on our jackets but poor Dennis, his thermal jacket was in his bag which couldn't be opened because the combination lock had reset. Out of desperation, he broke the zippers just to get it. Yes, it was that cold! The Filipino waiting for the bus with us came prepared. They were wearing their bonnets, gloves and scarves. It said Baguio City on them. Now we know where they got their "winter" clothes :o) 

Incheon is pretty far from Seoul but I enjoyed looking out the window to see the view. There was no more snow as winter had already ended. It's supposed to be spring. When we got off the bus, Dennis said we could walk to the hotel. I wasn't prepared for the cold, honestly. I started to get cranky because walking in that cold and not really knowing if we were headed in the right direction at 10pm, with an empty tummy just did it for me.

I loved every single day while in Seoul, despite the cold. I enjoyed the long walks to see the city, palaces, parks, the shops, the tourist places, etc. I love traveling! The experience, the quick immersion and learning their culture is really something. Seoul is beautiful. You can see where the tax payers money go. Sigh. Everything was efficient. The people were so interesting to watch. Very stylish! 

Saddens me why my own country can't be as progressive, safe, cleaner, organized...and to think it's much smaller and not too difficult to manage, in my opinion. I can go on ranting about the problem with our country because of the people we elect to supposedly take care of us and our nation. But who am I?

So many cafes, tea places, bakeries, pastry shops...etc. Them Koreans love their waffles. As you walk past these places, a person would always be eating waffle with whipped cream topping, yet they're all slim. I can sit all day sipping my hot coffee and just watch people go about their business.

We will definitely be back :)

Namsan park

N Seoul Tower

Changdeok-gung Palace

Namdaemoon Market

Gyeongbok-gung Palace

Gyeongbok-gung Palace

Insadong Street

Cheonggyechon Stream