Anniversary weekend: Wolchulsan.

Last weekend, Doug planned a trip for our anniversary and wouldn't tell me a word about it.  He has been planning this trip for weeks and I have been so anxious to find out where we would be going. He even typed up an itinerary for different options of activities so we could chose depending on the weather and what we felt like doing.  He is the best :)

Saturday morning we decided to hike Wolchulsan.  It is super hot and humid in Korea right now, but we really wanted to see the cloud bridge, which spans two peaks of the mountain and connects the trail together.  So we set out at around eight in the morning trying to beat the heat.  

Here I am at the trail head.  About two minutes after this I was already drenched in sweat.  

The beginning of the hike had bamboo trees lining the trail and tons of birds singing.  I know this sounds stupid, but it reminded me of Disneyland with the bamboo, birds, and misty humidity.

Here is where the trail split.  We followed the lanterns, which led to a temple and eventually the bridge.

Notice all that sweat?  Honestly, I don't think have ever sweated like that before and I hope I never do again.  The hike wasn't that long but was really steep.  Here we took a water break and rested on some rocks.

Finally at the end!

I love that Korea always has little pagoda things for shade when you reach the end of a trail.

The cloud bridge.  Totally worth it.

The above and below pictures are looking down while on the bridge.

On our way back down with the bridge over top of us.

After, we stopped at a little restaurant and I got some ramen and Doug got a fried pork cutlet, called donkatsu.  The ramen was doctored up with fresh vegetables and seasoning.  Delish after a hike.

On our way back into town we saw a group of hikers about to set out.  Notice how all the other hikers in the previous pictures are covered from head to toe? Notice how we are not?  I thought they just didn't want to get tan since Koreans like having light skin.  Well, I'm pretty sure it has to do with the mosquitoes since my legs are still covered with huge itchy bites.  But even with the mosquitoes, it was a breathtaking hike and something so unique to Korea.  I loved having this experience with Doug.

Currently craving...

When living here, you definitely have to sacrifice some comforts that you are used to.  I mean you do gain other comforts in return. Like awesome public transportation, cheap food, and more cutesy accessories than you know what to do with.  But sometimes, a girl just needs the comforts of home.  Right now I'm currently wanting:

1. Watermelon.

They have watermelon here, but it costs like a ba-gillion dollars.  I think they are cheaper now, but at the beginning of the season, a watermelon cost an upwards of 20 bucks.  I mean, I haven't been back home for awhile now, but I don't remember them costing that much.  When I get back home, maybe I'll even step outside of the box and try out this watermelon, feta and mint salad.  

2. Avocados.

They just aren't worth it here.  We bought two of them once for nine dollars and when we cut them open they were mostly black inside.  It was a sad day in the Ferguson household.  From then on, we gave up hope of eating avocados in Korea.  

3. Homemade goodies.

I can't wait to have use of an oven again.  I'll have to make these salty pretzel brownies, or maybe these delicious looking lemon bars, or what about this salted caramel tart?  Clearly, the only logical solution is to make them all.

Just over two months left till we are home :)

Galbi...another word for heaven.

As most of you know, I've been a vegetarian for the past two and a half years.  I haven't been perfect in those two years and there were definitely a few times when we first came to Korea that I ate some type of meat without realizing it was meat until after.  However, the past few weeks I had been really wanting to try galbi, one of Korea's most popular dishes.  I mean, there is a good chance that we will only be in Korean once, so why not try one of its most famous dishes?  I didn't want to go back home and regret not trying it while we live here.  And to be honest, I had really been craving meat the few weeks leading up to this, so it seemed like the perfect time to try it.

So, we made plans with some of our friends to try it out on a Friday night after work. The galbi restaurants have tables with built in barbecues, so you barbecue your own meat.  There is the option to sit at a high round table or sit on the floor at a long rectangular table. Since there was five of us, we opted for the ground (plus you feel way more Korean sitting on the floor). You tell the waiter how many portions you want for the galbi and they bring out hot coals to put under your grill.  They also bring out a ton of side dishes like lettuce, rice, a fried egg, raw garlic, raw onions in a broth, a sauce to dip your meat in, and various types of kimchi.  Then they bring out the bowl of raw meat, tongs, and scissors.  You place one slab of meat on the grill at a time and when it is almost done you cut it up into small pieces and everyone grabs the pieces straight off the grill with their chopsticks.  You eat slowly, waiting for each piece of meat to cook, so you can really focus on the conversation and catching up with your friends.  

The galbi was way better than I ever imagined it would be.  So incredibly juicy and the perfect combination of sweet and savory.  It is also good put into what I like to call a gabli burrito, which is a lettuce wrap filled with a little bit of rice, galbi, sauce, and some onions.  Pretty delish.  I am definitely going to get some more before we go back home.

Cooking up that meat.

Bethany, Jess, and I waiting for the first round of meat.

Right before my first bite!

The aftermath.

We snapped a photo with the owner on our way out.  Can't wait to go back...maybe I'll be a galbitarian.

White Day.

Korea celebrate's a holiday called White Day on March 14th, strategically celebrated a month after Valentine's Day.  In Korea, the woman buys the man gifts on Valentine's day.  So, on White Day, it is the man's turn to buy gifts for his girl.  Then, a month later on April 14th, there is Black Day.  This day is for all the single people to buy candy and chocolate for themselves!  I couldn't believe it when I first heard about it.   Korea is obsessed with couples, so it seems only natural that they basically spread out Valentine's Day over three months.

Also, couples here will do a thing called "same-same" where after they have dated for awhile and are a serious couple, they will buy something that matches.  For example, matching shoes, jackets, watches, whole outfits, underwear (I have not seen this personally but I see the matching underwear sets displayed in the window displays!), backpacks, etc.  I always find it funny when I see a couple dressed in their "same-same" stuff.  A lot of times it's something really bright and obvious so you can't miss that they are a couple!

So, on White Day, my friend Jessica and I went to a girl's night out hosted by a Canadian here in Cheonan. We got all dressed up, so I finally wore heels even though I'm already taller than the majority of the men in this country!  It was at a beautiful restaurant located in the outskirts of Cheonan.   We got our own private room and were able to enjoy a four course Italian dinner.  We had such a great time!  It definitely exceeded my expectations since Jessica and I went on a whim not knowing any of the other people.  I wish I got more pictures of the restaurant, it was really beautiful!

This week's recap and homemade ricotta!

Doug and I have been keeping busy these past few weeks with the start of the new school year and settling back into our routine.  Last weekend, Jessica and I went to a "Girls Night Out", which was an dinner event planned by a professional Canadian boxer living in Korea.  She has her own "boxercise" class (I just went to my first class today and am already hooked!!) and she plans things for foreign women in Cheonan.  The restaurant was beautiful and it was tons of fun.  I'll post more pictures about that later this week!

This Saturday, Doug and I went to Seoul with some friends and had an amazing time.  First, we went to Insadong, a street well-known for traditional Korean souvenirs, and got some gifts for some lucky family members!  Then we made our way to Itaewon, which is basically the foreigner district and has tons of pubs, restaurants, an English bookstore, and shopping.  Jessica found a restaurant called Tomatillo in Itaewon that is the same idea as Chipotle.  You walk up and choose your meat/vegetables and if you want a burrito, taco, tostado, quesadilla, etc.  It was pretty amazing.  We got a side of guacamole and it was the best gaucamole we have had in Korean yet.  Needless to say, Doug was in heaven and wanted to get second burrito before getting back on the train!

Today, we had a relaxing morning, took Yeppi on a nice walk, and got some grocery shopping out of the way.  I was super excited because this week I found a recipe online for ricotta cheese and wanted to give it a try since I was able to find the ingredients here.  I made some this afternoon and was shocked by how easy it was.  It honestly took me maybe 15-20 minutes and tasted way better than store bought ricotta.  It was super light and fresh tasting and was great in penne pasta mixed with some fresh tomato sauce.  I was so excited that I decided to document the ricotta making process:

 First, I prepped the straining bowl.

Then, I boiled the milk and cream mixture until the curds separate from the whey.

After, I spooned the curds over into the strainer.

 Here's the ricotta straining for a few minutes.

Ta-da! The finished product.

Here's where I got the recipe: http://www.framedcooks.com/2011/08/how-to-make-fresh-ricotta.html

Favorite food.

Now, Korean food isn't my favorite.  In fact, I avoid it most often.  The smells, the weird textures, and the fact that I'm never sure what I am eating just don't appeal to me.  Some dishes I definitely can enjoy, though I would not choose to eat it if I had the choice.  Overall, most of the soups are pretty good - especially on a cold fall day.  In all honesty though, I really thought that I would never see a day where I actually craved a Korean dish.

Well, I think that day has come. I know, I can't believe it, but I actually crave Dolsot Bibimbap.  It is basically a rice and veggie bowl with a fried egg on top.  In Korea, regular bibimbap is very popular and is not too bad.  It is is a cold dish and although it doesn't taste half bad, it kinda just tastes mushy after awhile.  Dolsot Bibimbap on the other hand, is steaming hot and the rice continues to cook in your "stone pot" (what they serve it in).  There is very thin layer of oil on the bottom of the bowl so the rice gets crispy and fried and delicious!  It is also served with a red hot pepper paste which gives it a kick - Koreans love their spicy food!  Basically it is the perfect Korean meal for me on a cold day!

Another thing I love about it, is that it always comes vegetarian.  I think historically it was known as a poor mans dish since it is just rice and veggies, but now has become popular and is served in all Korean restaurants.  Also, it costs a mere 4,500 won (a little less than $4.50!), which includes the yummy bibimbap, side dishes (which are nasty so I never touch them), and a tasty broth soup to start the meal.  Not bad for $4.50.

Here are some pictures taken at Kimbap Nara, a little Korean restaurant down the street from where we live.

  Here are the soup and those "delicious" side dishes.  The two on the left are kimchi (top) and yellow radishes or something (bottom).  I have no clue what the two on the right are.  My guess would be salted pork and fish....

 Dolsot bibimbap.  The red pepper paste is to the right.

Doug with his favorite dish.  It is beef served with glass noodles in a broth.  It comes with a side a rice that you eat the meat with.  This one has a really long Korean name!