Month: September 2023

September 24, 2023

After a grueling Saturday ­– two words ­– root canal. Sunday got off to a better start. I headed off to the office early so I could get home before noon. We left for Kramer Lee to eat Texan BBQ soon after. HK loves the air in the mountains, as do I. The beer never hurts either.

We hit a small coffee shop where Mson enjoyed a a strawberry smoothie and HK and I shared an iced green tea latte – at a table looking over the stream. We were the only customers except for an old man and his obident dog who sat alone working on fixing a gold watch.

After heading back to Seoul – we had spaghetti at an outdoor restaurant near our home that was Brooklyn-esque. Mason wanted to hit Daiso to buy a big plastic hammer afterwards, but I negoitaed him to a deal where I would pick him up from school and we would take the bus the next day to make the needed purchase. A late night for a Sunday.

September 16, 2023

One of the greatest joys of my life is hitting up playgrounds in Seoul with Mason. Seoul has so many playgrounds with character hidden all over the city. Today, Mason, HK and I had a great time that started with fench toast. We then wandered around our neighborhood’s playgrounds before heading to Lotte Gold for Shake Shack. That led us to a playground nearby backed up to a Mexican restaurant we like. It was a good spot for a rest. Mason kickboarded the whole way.

After splitting up, Mason and HK took the subway home (one stop) and I drove the car we had parked at Lotte after some quick shopping at Lotte Mart to clear our parking debt. I rejoined them for our last stop nearby our home, at hof that serves friend chicken on a platter Hong Kong style.

August 27, 2023

Got in the drink before it was too cool.

We left late Friday night after HK closed for the night. Arrived at the hotel around 12:30 with self-check-in. Mason loved the stairs, in fact, he said that was his favorite part of the whole trip! My better half and I loved the view. Although the rainfall shower wasn’t working properly.

The next morning had the best sangsung gui (grilled fish) of my life – four different types of fish. I had a beer and HK enjoyed the local Makoli. We found a small beach in between Donghae and Mangsang where we played in the ocean for a few hours. Then, hit the beach club at Mangsang, where Mason was quick to make friends and I convinced HK to stay another night. Mason’s plan to stay up all night – which he almost managed – until his folks had to call it a night.

Great pork bbq in the deep woods, a California inspired beach coffee shop on Sunday morning and, of course, the famous sauna at the Mansang Convention Center – where they checked Mason and my feet meticulously for sand before we could proceed inside. I will remember laying in the ocean with my eyes closed and seeing brilliant reds and oranges – peace at last.

A great weekend.

August 20, 2023

Korea’s outdoor swimming season last for about 2 months – July and August. This summer we have taken dips in our plastic pool at Sadongree and at Mangsang. 

But another pool we have been too twice now is Troy. Yep, and they have a giant wooden horse. Anyway between the kids slide pool, fully equipped with bubble machine gun – there’s also a large pool with makeshift cabanas down both sides. Mason and I arrived first and claimed a picnic table and shortly thereafter HK came. 

Mason’s highlight was meeting a friend whose family let Mason use a snorkel mask – first time I had seen one like this – but definitely a great design for little guys. Looks like I know what I need to buy next summer.

Unfortunately – not many pictures – guess that means we were having too much fun.