Korea... Passport.. Stamped..

This blog post is way long overdue.. The holidays this year had me traveling all over the place and along with getting settled in my new little city of San Diego, unpacking my entire life and making my apartment feel like home... OH and I was working through all the madness of life.. I'm super sad the holiday season has come and gone but I feel like I can actually breathe and enjoy this new city of mine.. FINALLY! So in a previous blog, I said I went to Korea for Thanksgiving.. My Dad has been living there on and off for the last 14 years for work and he had plans of moving for a new job back in the US. I obviously had to take advantage of him being there and for the first time I visited him and finally saw Korea!! I must admit Korea wasn't at the top of my "must visit" list, but I'm sure glad I did.. The food, sites, and the fact I got to see my little sister after not seeing her for over 5 years was nothing short of pure fun! That girl is one ball of energy and I swear she can out run the energizer bunny..

I don't think I ate anything "American" the entire time I was there besides Thanksgiving Day where my Dad made a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Kimchee was now part of my daily diet and I ate as much bibimbop as I possibly could...

PICTURES!!

First started off the vacation in Seoul, South Korea...


I knew what was first on my list... SHOPPING! I had heard Korea was the place to shop if you were a pro... duh.. like there was any question of my shopping skills..






We always have time to Zoolander...


And have obligatory Starbucks coffee internationally...


The street vendors sometimes had questionable food.. but I couldn't get enough of the chestnuts they made!


My Dad lived in Daegu a few hours south of Seoul.. We took the KTX train (kind of like the bullet train that moves super fast).. it was nice being able to see the countryside of Korea after all the hustle and bustle of the city..



My little sister can't take a normal picture.. I have to specifically tell her to "just smile normal" if I want a normal picture.. I'm not really sure where she gets that from... (it's in the genes)..



..this is our sassy face...


On Thanksgiving Day after stuffing our faces with yummy turkey.. we went to Dongwhasa Temple.. This place is beautiful..





..my best buddha pose..


We also visited the Bulkuksa Temple..





...just a 6 year old and her thoughts.. the road to life...


We were very cultural during this trip.. We also went to the Gyeongju World Cultural Expo!






..we survived on coffee almost everyday to keep our energy...


I'm already looking forward to the next time I can make it out to Korea.. The driving was a little intense even from the backseat! But the shopping and food was to die for... So I leave you with my last picture of my favorite dish as I mentioned earlier.. bibimbop!!


...Enjoy the video I made of my international trip!!



...travel opens the eyes and makes you appreciate what the world has to offer..