Getaway in Korea (ft. A Friend from the US)

My study abroad experience has been filled with energy from making new friends and exploring. However, there was still a part of me that missed home and the calmer energy. As I was feeling a little burnt from social interactions, my close college friend from the US said she was visiting South Korea. I was super excited about this, and I packed my bags for a 5-day getaway at an Airbnb near Hongdae.

The whole experience felt like a mini vacation. We first met up at my favorite brunch spot, Bearsden Brunch in Seodaemun. I had visited this spot so frequently that the owner recognized me! Every time I visit this brunch spot, I order the same thing – Eggs in Hell. It’s a delicious tomato stew (eggs included) with a side of bread, salad, sausage, etc. Seeing my friend from the US sitting in front of me in Korea was an odd feeling, like my two worlds mixing.

During her visit, we did a lot of shopping, exploring, and eating. We visited popular neighborhoods like Hongdae, Seongsu, Myeongdong, Bukchon Village, and Anguk. On some days, we had a clear itinerary, and on others, it was very spontaneous. I personally enjoyed the spontaneous days, as they were more memorable. I’ll list the moments that were the most memorable to me below:

One day, we woke up and decided to take photos wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress). However, it was Tuesday, and the Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed weekly on Tuesdays. Instead, we decided to visit the Namsongol Hanok Village. We rented hanbok at a studio right in front of the village, and had 1-2 hours to take photos of each other. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the photos came out really nicely. The village was small, which was nice in its own way. Some kind people walked by and offered to help us take photos. There was a pond and hanok houses.

There was one night we were headed back to our Airbnb, but didn’t feel like the night was over yet. It was too early, and we still had some energy left. As we were walking, we saw an ad for a Jeonjip (jeon - Korean savory pancake, jip - house) in a basement. At that moment, the jeon was an appetizing late-night snack. We walked down the stairs, and the whole vibe changed. It was an intimate, small space with dim lighting, the perfect atmosphere for late-night talks. We ordered assorted jeon and a hot udon. We began talking and catching up. When the jeon and udon were served, they satisfied our craving for salty, warm food at night.

​Before I knew it, the days were over, and I had to send my friend off to the airport. Her visit was short, but very sweet. She brought a feeling of home with her, which I was missing.