I dream in Skyscanner part I

I want to see everything and go everywhere.  I've traveled pretty extensively throughout Europe, I've been fortunate enough to perform in China, England, The United States, and South Africa, and I still feel like I haven't even started to see the world!  Being in Korea just makes me want to jet set each and every week do a different dazzling locale, but it's much more expensive to travel from Korea than it is from Thailand or Vietnam.  Because my primary goal of coming to Korea was to pay off debt and get my savings account rocking I've had to choose some more frugal options when it comes to taking my vacation.  My vacation days came pre-selected by my employer, so I really only have long weekends here and there.  My longest vacations are Chuseok and New Years and even they aren't full weeks off so it doesn't really make sense to plan my trips to Thailand, Cambodia, or India - places I want to explore to the fullest. 

At the end of July I'm taking my first international trip since arriving in Korea.  I'm traveling with 3 people to Osaka, Japan!  Our hostel sounds incredible (apparently they plan activities for the guests) and I'm really excited to travel with this crew.

(Photo c/o 10 things to do in Osaka)

(Photo c/o St. Regis Starwood Hotels Website)

I've made a tentative schedule just to map out things I want to see and do.  I'm sure we'll do certain things together but that I'll also end up doing some of these things alone.  

Wednesday: Arrive in Osaka in the afternoon and head over to the St. Regis for afternoon tea.  Check in at the hostel and spend the evening in Dotonbori.

Thursday:  Universal Studios Express Pass – just to see Harry Potter World and check out some rides.  Potentially visit Umeda Sky Building & Floating Garden Observatory and Osaka Castle in the afternoon and Tsutstenkaku at night or back to Dotonbori.  Maybe check out a club just to see what the scene is like and get some dancing in (or save that until Friday – whichever works).

Friday:  Hit up the Temples and Shrines and then check out more of the local nightlife/ food in the evening.

Saturday: Kate flies back to Busan/ Gimhae but will probably have a little bit of time to do something in the morning (fingers crossed the Ferris Wheel!).

Areas of interest:

Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Umeda Sky Building & Floating Garden Observatory

The Drunken Clam – English Karaoke Bar in Osaka.  Ghost Ultra Bar, Club Picadilly (they have aerial artists)

Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi 

Universal Express Pass 5 – Harry Potter World 

Tsutenkaku area and tower at night

Dotonbori area at night 

St. Regis Hotel (afternoon tea $28 tax included– and the area is supposed to be like the Champs Elysees)

Shitennoji Temple

Sanko Shrine 

Namba Yasaka Shrine 

Have you been to Osaka?  Any suggestions for me?  Leave them in the comments!

I've also booked my flight to Shanghai for September.  Tell me what to do and where to go!

Hair did at Hwamiju

Most of my friends are aware that when I'm stressed, frustrated, or bored I change my hair.  My Mom does exactly the same thing, and it always seems to make me feel a lot better.  Better to change your hair than eat your feelings, right?

I had tried to get my hair done at Hwamiju in Hwamyeong back when I first arrived, but communication was difficult (I didn't have a proper translator on my phone) and I went on a Saturday when it was pretty busy.  After trying out a salon in Seomyeon, which was nice enough but didn't do what I wanted AT ALL, I decided to give Hwamiju another shot.  My hair was pretty dark and damaged from the Korean hair dye I used, and I wanted to lighten up my look.  I had a photo of Olivia Wilde (well...a few) and my stylist decided to do some lighter ombre and highlights.

Upon arrival price was discussed and agreed upon, my bag and coat were taken, and I was given a key to my locker.  I was escorted over to the waiting area and was told it would be about 15 minutes.  I had no appointment, so this was great news!

I was given really delicious coffee and some ginger snaps, which was great because I wandered into the salon on a whim after work and hadn't had dinner.

With the language barrier I was a little worried, but I had a Top Senior Stylist and the assistant (who actually spoke some English!) told me I had nothing to worry about and that she would do a great job.

I had two people working on my highlights and was brought a pillow and a Vogue (which came with an apology for not being in English.  I'm in Korea...all good!!).  My stylist checked out my highlights, had my hair washed, and then asked if she could pop in some more highlights (included in the price) and if she could trim my hair.  She also made sure to deep condition my hair so that I would leave with soft tresses.  Always the perfectionist, she also decided to use a straightener to add a "natural wave" to my hair.  All in all it took about 2.5 hours, and I'm very happy with the results.  I now know that I don't have to leave Hwamyeong to be properly pampered! 

For highlights, a trim, deep conditioning, coffee, and snacks from a Top Senior Stylist the total was KRW 77,000 ($85.61 Canadian).  I don't know of anywhere in Canada where I could get that wicked a deal!

Update: I went back to Hwamiju to get my roots touched up and freshen up the trim.  Never, ever, ever, use a coupon when getting your hair done here.  Root touch up and cut was supposed to be around KRW 40,000 (after the 50% off coupon), so I went in thinking that I'd get the same service.  I had a few people working on my hair and (like an idiot) assumed everything was going well.  How WRONG was I?...

La Bella Citta Busan

Have you ever had a meal so fantastic from start to finish that you felt like a changed person?  After the most wonderful weekend checking out new corners of Busan, we were exhausted and disappointed upon discovery that the "Spanish Bistro" about which we had been wondering didn't actually serve food (El Secreto - but it does serve Sam Adams?).  I was covered in sand, blissed out from the sun, and ready for some international cuisine - decidedly not Korean.

When we turned the corner and happened upon what looked to be an enormous French Cafe and a secret garden, we knew we were in for something special.

Photos c/o La Bella Citta - Facebook

We meandered up the stairs and were hit with an absolutely stunning private event space.  Tired Kate took a horrible photo, and will most definitely be back for a special occasion to snap a better shot:

The sunset was approaching and we had been out in the sun with some wonderful new friends all day.  We were beat and just wanted a tasty meal before heading home.  No part of us expected to be treated to lemon/ carrot/ cucumber water and whole grain bread at the table.  Our table had a stunning view of Gwangalli Bridge and a quaint frame being on a side street.

  

The decor itself reminded me quite a bit of Soho House Toronto which I miss desperately.  

It appears they run what's called a "Midnight Party" every Friday and Saturday from 9 PM - 2 AM.  They offer sets of classic cocktails 3 for KRW 21,000 (and I'm not quite certain what you get for KRW 35,000 but there is something else on offer) designed by their delightful mixologist who worked up in Seoul with another bartender from the award-winning "Milk & Honey" (New York - Flatiron District).  

We decided to err on the safe side of what realistically is quite an expensive menu and order the Gorgonzola Gnocchi and the Pork and Stir-fried Vegetable Risotto.  The risotto is deconstructed would have been a wonderful dish of beautifully-cooked and seasoned pork, soy leaves, peppers, and fresh and crispy zucchini.  I wondered why there was cheese on the plate, and why white rice was used rather than an actual risotto.  I think if they changed the name on the dish I would have liked it more because it truly was well-composed.

The gnocchi, on the other hand, was absolutely life-changing.  Both my dining companion and I agreed that we could have indulged in several dishes of this decadent, smooth, rich cream sauce with just enough gorgonzola to have a bold taste, but not so much that it over-powered the delicate, melt in your mouth puffs of potato gnocchi.  It was quite salty, but again - just enough to require more wine, not enough to regret the seasoning.  The cheddar chip on top was incredible as well.  We wanted to order some bread and more sauce with which to enjoy the light and airy view after such a perfect day.

The owner popped over to ask us how we enjoyed our meals.  Talking for a bit we mentioned that we would certainly be back to try more of the Italian fare (there was a 1KG Steak on the menu for KRW 99,000, as well as some delicious-sounding pizzas for under KRW 20,000 so they really did have a variety of offerings).  We hadn't planned on drinking, but when offered a "service" beverage we could hardly say no.  We accepted gratefully and it was decided that we would get a surprise: the bartender's choice - a Caipirinha.

If you've ever had a Caipirinha you'll know that it's a Mojito kicked up and made for the cocktail connoisseur.  Made from Cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice, it's one of the most (if not the most) popular liquor in Brazil.  Billions of Liters of the spirit are made each year but only about 1% is actually distributed outside of the country, so I definitely did a double take when our bartender stated that it was made with the real stuff.  I had enjoyed Caipirinhas last in Trinity-Bellwoods park on a beautiful summer day while eating Nadege macarons and enjoying the fresh air and view of the CN tower.  The taste threw me back to that wonderful day, and while I chatted about the rest of the meticulous cocktail menu with the bartender my dining companion ended up knocking back quite a bit of the drink.  It was pretty clear that he loved it, and I wasn't altogether surprised when I got a text message about it on Monday asking about the ingredients (Cachaça, sugar, lime, ice).

I urge you to join me some Friday or Saturday night for a prix-fixe menu (5 dishes I believe for set prices of KRW 58,000 or KRW 68.000) with a late night garden party pop-up to follow.  I am certain it will be an evening you won't regret or forget.

Kudeta

Merriam-Webster describes a Coup d'état as: "a sudden attempt by a small group of people to take over the government usually through violence".  "Kudeta", a nightclub in Haeundae Beach, seems to have taken over the space we originally thought was TAO Beach Club (yes - like in Vegas).  Whether through violence or not, the sudden take-over came with a new name and a surprise to my two EPIK gals, a couple of military boys from California, and me.  Most surprising of all?  The fact that my 27 year old ass was so willingly brought along to a nightclub.

Last Friday night S, L, and I met up at S's gorgeous little villa-style apartment for some planning and Makgeolli.  It was the first time I had taken the city bus in Busan, so I was glad that L waited for me at the station.  The gents had already arrived, so once we settled on a game plan we all piled into a cab clown car-style and were on our way to Haeundae Beach.

It hadn't occurred to me that we would be heading over the Gwangali "Diamond" Bridge that I've had the chance to admire a few times from land already, so my pictures of the unbelievable light show we experienced aren't fantastic.  I think it was everyone's first time rolling over the bridge so it was pretty exciting!

  














First stop was, of course, Thursday Party.  This was my first time at Thursday Party in Haeundae Beach, however I had been to the location in Changwon and then in the KSU area as well.  We saw some locals from Hwamyeong, which was unusual because Haeundae is so far away.  After a drink and some beer pong with a strapping young Air Force man we headed out in search of TAO.

As we know now, somewhere down the line TAO became Kudeta.  Friday night, however, we walked around for what felt like an eternity just trying to figure out where we were going.

The club itself was actually quite small.  We were brought over to our booth which had an arrangement of fruit as well as a couple of bottles of Absolut Vodka and various mixers.  It was kind of far from the dancefloor in its own room with couches, so I venture through to the runway-style dancefloor and met various English-speaking Koreans, one of which was apparently a Korean Drama Actress, another who owned a large shipping business.  Smoking was allowed inside the club which left me a little smelly the next morning, but that might have been compounded with the smoke machine.

If you've read about South Korean modesty rules then let me tell you - nightclubs do not reflect those rules.  My Halston dress was a criss-cross halter that was backless and I was one of the more conservatively dressed women at the club.

All in all it was a great evening with even better company and if this was any indication of the nightlife in Busan you can bet you'll see a few more posts on industry experience to come!