Butterflies

Has it already been two years?

I cant believe that in just three short days I will finish my time here in Himeji schools and prepare to leave Japan in August. Its almost hard to believe that its really over. I know this was the best choice I could have made for myself as an educator because it provided me with real insight sa to how my student feel as language learners, but I wonder a great deal about how it has changed me as a person.

So many things have changed in my life during these past two years and I know that going home things will be different. I cant say exactly how they will go, but I have goal and aspirations for the next 3-5 years of my life that motivate me and inspire me to continue learning and traveling as much as possible.

My mind races as I prepare plans for Spain and Italy. I get lost in the thoughts of how my experiences will change me and what I can learn about myself as I take this journey alone.

Butterflies my friends, butterflies.

Seoul South Korea Dr Fish

Dr. Fish

If you happen to find yourself in Seoul with a desire to try something new, head on over to Dr. Fish.

What could be a better way to relax after a coffee and a yummy snack but to sink your achy feet into a tiny pool and have loads of tiny fish nibble the dead skin off for you! Dr. Fish is a moderately famous with travelers as a strange place to see when taking a trip to Seoul. Best known for the “dinning” experience, Dr. Fish offers an array of treats and drinks to enjoy before or after you spend some quality time with your new aquatic cleaners.  The café itself is separate from the fish and you are able to choose if you would like to eat before or after, you cannot eat while being eaten…. That sounds gross.

 The menu ranges from typical café treats such as cookies and cakes, to sandwiches and popular local favorites including a giant slice of bread covered in honey and whipped cream. If you love bread as much as I do, you’ll love this option. You can choose to get a set or combo of the Dr. Fish experience and a snack or you can choose to do the two separate. I chose a brownie set which was around 10 USD and was surprisingly delicious. As we enjoyed our brownies I got to thinking about how big the fish might be and what exactly they do to your feet and I think I syced myself out just a little. Because when it all came down to it, I was completely afraid of putting my feet in the water.

I sat down to put my feet in and THEY KNEW! Instantly the little fish swam to surround the area under where my feet hovered about the water and I couldn’t do it. I was frozen with my feet above the water like a cat. Finally after a few deep breaths I stuck my feet in and I’m certain even the people downstairs in the café could hear me squeal. Yes, squeal.  I had to force myself not to kick the poor little guys off of me and as I held back an all-out scream. You know that tingly feeling when your foot falls asleep and you then you try to walk again. Yes, that times like a hundred is how I felt with my feet in the water. Let’s just say it took some adjustment time for me to be ok with basically being eaten alive.  The worst is when they go between your toes! AH! The feeling! I sat most of the time with my toes curled because it was just too much!

A basic 20 minute “meal” starts with an employee washing off your feet and then you can settle onto a cushion of your choice to feed the fishies! The fish at this particular place were fairly small in size (thankfully) and were none too shy about nibbling away at the parts of my leg that they could reach too.

A little difficult to spot right away, it can be easily accessed by local transit and is reasonably priced for its “services”.

Tabi READY TO GO 

NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM 

Getting to Dr. Fish

Take the Seoul Metro to stop Euljiro 1 –ga  on the green line.

From Exit 2 you can go straight across the roundabout area and down toward the lemonade shop.

You have to purchase This particular Dr. Fish was located just across from the Lemonade shop in between a beauty supply store and a yakiniku shop. (photo attached).

I believe it is on the 5^th floor of the building.your snacks and such on the 4^th floor and then proceed upstairs to the fish dining hall.

Enjoy J

Seoul South Korea

Seoul South Korea

I took a very short trip to Seoul, South Korea with a couple mates of mine from back home early in April. I was excited to go because S. Korea is RIGHT there and I had not yet had the opportunity to get over there and see anything. Due to the time limitations and the somewhat aggressive communications between the north and south at the time we went, we decided to forgo the border and see sights in the city.

We started our journey with little to now idea how we really wanted to spend our time there and as my friends had just gotten to Japan the day before I assumed they might have to deal with some jet lag while there. We stayed at a quiet little hostel nearby the central area of the University in Seoul. Its reasonably price for nicer accommodations and the owners are laid back and helpful. On that note; if you are vegetarian or allergic to say garlic (my friend was) then possibly S. Korea can be taken off of your to do list and replaced with another location that does not drown everything in garlic and meat sauce. Not that it isn’t a cool place to visit but you’ll be hungry the entire time and surrounded by inedible and stinky food.

We chose to see a few places reachable by local transit and mostly bob around the central area that we were staying in. During the day the streets are moderately busy but things do not begin to bustle until mid to later afternoon and into the evening. Seoul is a night owls dream as many places never really close (bars) and its “hip” to go out late in the evening. When I say late I mean around 11 or 12. Quite literally starting your evening when a Debby is cozy in bed because she is apparently 95.

Coming from the very clean streets of Himeji I am always a little shocked to see how dirty places can be. Seoul was moderately clean; however there is still a sense of just dropping trash wherever, it’s weird. As we wondered about we saw wall and entire buildings covered in graffiti and street art, sides of buildings littered with fish tanks filled to brim with “food” and more coffee shops than you can count. Seriously, Seoul loves coffee.
IT’S EVERYWHERE!

We spoke with our host and he looked almost shocked at our situation (food wise) and recommended a place that, maybe, we could eat at. We attempted to find this place and after some deliberation, decided that we should just pop into a small side joint and see what we could muster. We showed the women a few words written in Korean on our map (thanks to our host) that explained about our dietary needs and a few jumbled minutes later we had giant bowls full of rice, veggies and some sort of meat (which I could easily pick out). After some SERIOUS stares from locals and those who ran the place, we finished what we could, save for one of us who didn’t eat at all, and headed out. The woman saw that my friend didn’t eat and made her a special giant sushi roll as we left. It was really nice of her to make sure that she got something to eat no matter what.

Street art was EVERYWHERE. Some great, some just horrible graffiti 

Hanging at the park near the college area. 

I have NO idea what is in there.... but they eat some of it live. Ew

Poor little fishes. 

Street performers! 

My favorite part of Seoul was the DOG CAFÉ! I was in doggy heaven. Puppies as far as the eyes could see and I got coffee too, SAY 

WHHHHAAAAAT! 

It took a little searching for the place but eventually we found that café just off the main road. You do not have to pay to be in the café; however the prices of the drinks are a bit higher than normal cafes. This is to provide services for the pets and employees. 

I had a mocha café drink and it was around $7 US and wasn’t too bad either.  When you enter there seems to be a dog that will attach itself to someone the minute they enter the room.  For me it was spritely little fellow with a bum front leg who seemed to have a serious distaste for, well, every other dog. He promptly climbed in my lap and proceeded to “yell” at the surrounding dogs until the people in the café took him and put him in his own special room away from everyone else.  Then I spotted the dachshunds! SO CUTE ! One seemed to have some serious love for a guy there and followed him around like Schotzi followed me. Then I saw a majestic little fatty from across the room and after an eternity of waiting, he came to hang out.  I was way too happy to just hang with a dog in my lap. I should probably get out more….

DOGS! 

Watch yourself Tabi...... 

As we traveled to different sites in Seoul we happened upon found some odd things to eat, see and smell, but all in all I wasn’t horribly impressed with Seoul. It probably has more to offer than I took in, so I may go again, but not for long.

Met some cute kiddos at the palace. 

Cherry Blossoms are beautiful anywhere you travel. 

In every subway! I suppose it should be comforting , but its really not. 

That my friends, is a Seoul classic. Its a hot dog wrapped in french fries and deep fried. We couldn't find the poo shaped pastries, but you cant win um all.  

Typical street foods. 

My second favorite part of the trip would be the Dr. Fish experience. This little gem will get its own post! 

Thamel Nepal, Bodhanath Stupa, Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

Nepal.

This March Tabi-Chan and I traveled to Thamel, Nepal.  The trip had plenty of ups and downs (including my mood.. sorry guys) and I’m fairly certain I ate my weight in momos and curry. We began our trip from Osaka to Nepal with a SERIOUSLY long layover in China. I recommend if you ever have the chance to enjoy a 15 hour layover in China, AVOID IT!!! Like the plague!!! China was terrible.

Out of the four flights we had to take, three were late by at least an hour or more and the people we had the, I’ll use the word pleasure, to encounter were less than favorable. Then we had the pleasure of sleeping on the floor in the airport for a time (this is where I was MORE than grumpy) and finally we decided to shell out the dough and sleep in a lounge in the airport. Our nice little chairs gave some comfort and eventually I stopped being an ass and fell asleep. If you are in the situation to reserve a flight with China Eastern to save a few bucks, DON’T! Just spend the money to take a different airline and save yourself the headache. Or don’t and suffer the wrath of crazy travelers taking photos out the plane windows (the entire ride….oh look a cloud!), more than rude flight attendants, a grumpy attitude when you have to hang out in an airport for 15 hours (yes…twice), and being ushered through the airport security like you may have some sort of disease and getting yelled at when you don’t understand the Mandarin being spoken around you. Needless to say, I was less than impressed with my experience in China.

Now on the Nepal and the over consumption of curry!

http://www.trekkershome.com/

If you are looking to stay in Nepal for a short time and see some of the local sight, I would highly suggest bunking down in Thamel at Trekkers’ Home Hostel. Run by a helpful group, Trekkers home is a fair priced hostel in the center of Thamel. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, Trekkers Home was a perfect location for a hopping around the city by day and stuffing your face with Nepalese food in the evenings. The owner is extremely helpful and very prompt with communication before and during your stay. He helped us several times with travel arrangements and even spoke a little Japanese! I was very impressed! If you choose to stay there, they provide airport pickup and drop off for a reasonable fee (I think around 5 UDS) but be careful at the airport. We had men take our bags and all they did was put them in the trunk (we could have done this) and they DEMANDED money. They refused to let the car leave without us giving them money, it was rather uncomfortable if you ask me.

After settling in to Trekkers Home and making some arrangements with the owner, we grabbed some curry (of which I could never eat enough) and went to sleep to prepare for the Holi Festival the next day.

 

We were slightly hesitant that morning as we wondered whether or not the festival would start that day. So we dressed accordingly and to our enjoyment, in no time were COVERED in colors and the warm HAPPY HOLI ! of the locals. Holi is a great time of year for the Nepalese and is something they enjoy sharing with everyone. Granted not all Nepalese locals love this holiday, the majority are kind and willing to involve you in the debauchery. WARNING. As a foreigner, you WILL be a target! If you are not ready and willing to be singled out by dirty water, hand fulls of color to the face, and dyed water balloons, I would not recommend joining in this holiday.  We spent the whole of the day walking the streets enjoys the cries of Happy HOLI and being chased by kids with bags full of water. At one point we wandered into one of the squares to find a HUGE dancing mob! Filled with anticipation I was more than willing to dive on in! Unfortunately, people are at time rude and I was quick to leave the mob after being rudely molested by a creepy local guy. It was so offensive and scary that I about hit the man for it.

We continued our day stopping around 1 or so to refuel my curry needs and take a break from being spattered with color. Looking around that day everyone seemed to be adorning some sort of powdery layer, even our poor waiter got attacked by some tourists and ended up half red for the rest of his shift.

The next day, after being assured we would be mobbed by color, we set out to find Swayambhunath, The Monkey Temple, of which I was more than anxious to see. If you are staying in Thamel and don’t mind the walk, it is about 30-40 minutes away on foot and easily found with a little guidance and a map. Most often than not if we just asked people were very kind and pointed us in the right direction. A little lost on our way we eventually made it to a point where we could see the temple atop the mountain and figured if we could see it, we could find it. Walking along the streets I began to feel extremely lucky for all I have at home in the US and in Japan. The rugged buildings (often missing walls) of schools and homes coupled with the never ending mountains of trash in every direction made me realize I could have it a lot worse in life. It’s a great way to think about the simple things that make your life easy and be grateful for all you have.

As we arrived at the temple steps and I spotted my first monkey on a wire, I was a little taken back by the amount of people lining the stairs to the temple peddling goods. This was not subsided as we approached the top and instead of a beautiful temple area with monks and monkeys, I found SHOPS! Lining every nook and taking much of the calm feelings I was looking forward to away. After a turn around the top and a short time trying to decipher what I could ( and it was a fair amount) from the Japanese tour I happened upon, I settled down in a small area off the left of the entrance to watch the ever elusive monkeys bop around in the trees lining the walls. 

After a short time a young girl wandered up toward where I was and with a welcoming smile from me she climbed up to sit with me and chat. Her English was conversational and she told me about her family and her Christian school down the street. When she found out how old I was and that I wasn’t married or had children, she began to lecture me about how people are supposed to get married and have babies. That’s apparently what I’m lacking in life according to an 8 year old. I finished up our chat and left to find my group. The monkey temple IS a beautiful place and I don’t mean to make it seem as though its not worth the trip, however once you get past the monks with iPhones and the merchants practically begging you to purchase goods, it’s a lot less monkey and a lot more pigeon.

MONKEY TEMPLE
A lot less monkey than I would have expected...... 

This monkey STOLE this food from someone giving an offering. They looked offend but he was pretty darn happy 

Hiding with his stolen goods 

Tabi-Chan sees the world. One temple, shrine , and stupa at a time! 

They look happy but it was really hot! 

ah... motherhood 

This isnt at the temple. Its at viewing sight somewhere else that I cant recall the name of.

Durbar Square a Man and His Goat

One of the most mentioned attractions for the Kathmandu City area in most travel guides is something called Durbar Square. To our understanding it was supposed to be a special area that had many shops and sights to see and this was the case, except for the fact the Durbar Square is basically what they call every square area and surrounding shopping. We did however have the chance to see a few interesting local happenings as we walked through the streets and took in the locals and their morning routines.

Some interesting happenings in Durbar Square that morning with a protest against petrol prices, women lining the streets with offerings and a man reading the paper with a goat at his side. It was rather entertaining when he realized the goat was there as well. Shocked is a good way to describe it.

Trying to learn the different ways to use my camera came out kid of cool. 

The ADORABLE dog decided to follow me around and play with me.

LOOOOOKIT him! I would have kept you puppy! 

Inside the stupa area.

Best advertising ever 

 Bodnath

On our final outing of the trip we headed to Bodnath Temple in Kathmandu. One of the most important temples for many Buddhist Nepalese, it is also a place of refuge for Tibetans as they progress toward a life outside of the war torn area of Tibet. A circular temple meant to walked slowly while chanting a mantra or mediating inside the stupa area while soaking in some sun. Much like every other tourist area in Nepal, you can barter some wears from the shops lining the temple and taste some local cuisine at one of the many surrounding cafes.

As far as travel to Nepal, I would recommend that you spend the majority of your time trekking if possible and get out of the city. Unless you are dead set on getting a few good deals on cheap merchandise, than Thamel is where it’s at for you. Nepal is definitely an interesting place to visit. Be your trip centered on shopping, trekking, sights or just some leisure yoga in the birth place of the Buddha. Nepal is worth a visit for any and all types of travelers.

Pashupati.
Just below is where they perform cremations for funerals. I didn't feel right taking a photo of it but I wanted to show the stupa. 

This monkey scared me! I thought he was going to charge at us! He gave us a serious look over before springing down and away. 

Our guest house provided us with a car to drive us around for a few hours for a small fee. It was really helpful.