Homestay Weekend (insert creative title here)

Last weekend was homestay weekend, which meant the dorm was closed for 24 hours while we went home with our new Korean friends. It was a great weekend, and we did a lot of different things. First, we rode the cable car to Namsan, which is a mountain that has parks and an observation tower:

The N Seoul Tower

View from the top

At the top, there was a large section where couples would write messages on locks, hearts, and iphone cases, and then attach them to whatever space was available. 

Sculpture with the messages inside

But I was really surprised to see this on one of the hearts:

I'm not quite sure why it was on there, but I thought it was cool.

Then we went to Dongdaemun, which is a famous shopping center. Sadly, I didn't buy anything. However, we stopped at a stream and took a rest.

It was so beautiful and cool...

Then we stopped at a restaurant which had grills in the middle of the tables. We got to grill our own pork and eat it with rice and veggies. Yum! After that, I went back to the subway, met my homestay buddy Yoo Shin, and went home with her. Her parents were so sweet and nice, and they have a beautiful home. 

The next morning, we went to church, and then headed to Coex, which is a gigantic underground shopping mall. It also has an aquarium.

Me at the entrance

Barbara Manateeeeeee...... (for all the VeggieTales fans in my life)

Humboldt Penguin...this guy knew how to pose!

We then went to dinner and had Andong chicken, which is steamed chicken, noodles, and vegetables in a sauce...so yummy!

Pictures of Coex, courtesy of Soo Min (the other person in the pics is Yoo Shin)

We shopped, had smoothies, and then headed back to the dorm. So tired, but an amazing weekend!

Until next time,

Laura