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Korea Travelogue

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Submitted By KVergara
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It has always been the most awaited part of the college life of every CTHM student, I guess. Countdown on every calendar, unending shopping of winter clothes and on the making of shopping lists, those are the things that I used to do whenever I daydream and got excited for this trip. Furry boots, trench coat, cute earmuffs, cottony mittens and warm scarf, all of us dreamt of wearing those stuff. But how would that be possible for a weather like this here in the Philippines? That won’t seem cool in here. But finally, here comes the chance for us to be in fashionable winter clothes and experience the cold weather. Anyeong-haseyo Seoul, Korea! The class organizers brought us here with the theme, “1Seoul: A Blissful Wander to the Heart of Korea.” The trip was well organized with a proper itinerary of a 5 days stay in Seoul.
It all started on the 1st day of March. I was really not in the mood to dress up for winter because it’s really hot outside. About 30 degrees was the temperature in the Philippines but I have to be prepared for the cold weather in Korea. Seeing my huge 18kgs luggage and a hand carry made me decide to go to the meeting place (Plaza Mayor) earlier than the call time. Upon arriving within the area, many parents were there to take my blockmates to the bus and bade their last goodbye hugs and kisses before leaving the country. It was night then, around 7:00 in the evening, we left UST and proceed to the airport. On the way to the airport, we prayed the Rosary to ask guidance and help us in making our trip safe. And then there, we arrived in the airport. It was my first time to be in NAIA 1 and as what I expected, the airport was really noisy and busy. But it didn’t took us so long to check-in. We waited for an hour or two for our boarding. Luckily, we were seated in the airplane with our colleagues which made us more comfortable. I was seated on seat 60D and it was on the aisle. The flight number was KE 624 with those cute Korean flight attendants, though others are somewhat “mataray”. We departed at 11:35pm. A full meal was served on board with a variety of fish, beef or Korean food Bibimbap. I chose the Bibimbap because I really wanted to feel the ambiance of being in Korea. The plane was amazing because this was also my first time to have this screen on every seats so we won’t get bored during the flight. Pillows and blankets were also prepared for the comfort of every passenger. The flight took us 3 hours and 35 minutes. Finally, we arrived at the Incheon International Airport at 04:10 in the morning. It was already March 2. Korea is 1 hour ahead in Philippines so the time then in our country is 03:10. The airport was partly different within our airport. It was clean, huge and quiet. From the second floor was the view of our luggage waiting for us. The immigration was very modernized and the flow was smooth. And then there, we’re really in Korea. The cold weather was really filling within our jackets so we’ve decided to change to a more comfortable pieces. Upon getting outside the immigration, there were those people who welcomed us without knowing that those persons were the persons who will accompany us on our whole stay in Korea. The day started upon meeting our class tour guide, Ms. Mona was the one assigned for us and there are still two for the two other sections. We were all excited on changing our US Dollars into Korean Won and Ms. Mona was the one responsible for that. After changing currencies, we had a spare time because we still waited for the restaurant to open at about 7:00 am. We went outside to feel the real weather of the place and we were all amazed seeing fog coming out from our mouth. It just means that it’s not simply cold, it was really cold. And then we just enjoyed ourselves playing IQ games on the lounging area because Sir Dondi will give prices for those who’ll guess the answers fastest. And then at last, the airport restaurant was already open. Not unusual to us, we had a heavy breakfast at Chow Buffet Restaurant located at the 2nd level of the airport. The food were variety of Oriental, Korean and American style of breakfast. BURP! Ready for the first day of fun and excitement in exploring a new place for me and many of us. We had a transfer by bus. There were no particular arrangement of seats so we were seated according to friends. The bus was different from the one we have in the Philippines. If we have air conditioned bus, the bus in Korea was with a heather. The only thing that made the buss cool is the small overhead window. On our way to our first destination, we passed by along the streets of Korea. Now we had our first glance of their beautiful country. It was all brown then because it was the in the mid of winter and fall. There are a lot of trees in every area we passed. It took us a little time to be in our first destination. Our first stop was in the English Village. Upon getting off the bus, the cold weather was not tolerable much for us because we are not used to weather like that. We entered the area. It was really big place for a walk. The village was run by the student who go schooling and at the same time, working in the area. The unique style of the establishments were structured within the village. Stores and food establishments were there. It was also the place where some scenes of the Koreanovela “Boys over Flowers” was shoot. There were bald trees and what really captured me was the artificial frozen lake. After we took some pictures, we then went back to the bus. It was still early for lunch so the tour guide decided to do advance itinerary which is the Kimchi School. In the Kimchi School, we were taught to make the kimchi. We were able to do a hands-on on how to make and we really have fun. Kimchi is a…….. There are different kinds of kimchi and we were also able to taste it for free. After making the kimchi, we went to the other area, still in the Kimchi School. In here, we experienced being a Korean for a little time. We wore the national costume of Korea which is the Hanbok. It is a colourful dress with embroidery on it. And then picture picture as usual. And then we proceed to a city restaurant which is the Kyoung Hee Gung Premium Buffet. After a heavy lunch, we proceed to the Gyeongbok Palace. It was really a long walk for us. In this place, it took us some time before we proceed to our next destination. It was also very cold that time because the Gyongbok Palace was an open area. We visited the National Folklore Museum of Korea were many historical memorabilias were displayed. And then we passed by the Presidential Blue House. And then to the N Seoul Tower. We rode on a cable car which was the ride going to the N Seoul Tower. We still have to walk a little more going to the N Seoul Tower. Inside of it were different souvenir shops and the Teddy Bear Museum. There are lots of cute and big Teddy bears within the museum. After a long day of walk, we had dinner at Ocean Family Seafood buffet. We then proceed to the hotel and finally had our luggage. This is our first time to see the hotel. It was simple and nice. It was well equipped. One you entered the lobby, a statue of a naked man will welcome you. The keys were already distributed on our way going to the hotel. Luckily, the assigned room lists were according to friends. My roommate in here was Nica and our room # is 1113. On our very first night in the hotel, we already explore the whole amenities of the room. We used the high-tech toilet and have bubble bath in the bath tub. After we freshened up, we called it a day and rested early. Call time is 8 in the morning. We heard someone belling on our door. It’s 7:30 in the morning and we have to rush to fix ourselves and have breakfast. Breakfast is ready in the hotel ground floor. After we ate, we rode the bus and get ready for the day. The activity for the day is the Skiing. I was really excited because I love adventure. Before we went to Jisan Ski Resort, we had a short stop to rent the gears and clothes. The shop was 5 minutes away from the Ski Resort. And there we go, the ski resort. I had fun skiing because I even tried to go up to the 2nd level of the hill. It’s a success for me skiing perfectly for the first time. I can say that this was my favourite part in the itinerary. After skiing, we went to Everland Resort. There, we had our lunch. I really loved the foods in here. We ate Kalbi, which is the Korean barbeque and Bibimbap, mixed rice and vegetables. Within the Everland Resort is the Everland Theme Park. The theme park is huge compared in the theme parks here in the Philippines. I was able to ride three rides and then took pictures afterwards. It was really big that we have to walk very long for us to get to the places we wanted to be. We bought soft ice cream eventhough it’s cold, just to experience it. Meal coupon was given for the dinner. We chose the Oriental restaurant. Though we had a short time in there, I really felt tired because the activities that day involved a lot of energy. We went back to the hotel, enjoy the bath tub again then rested. The next day was a Sunday morning. And as Catholic, we are used of going to mass during the Sabbath day. Though we are in our tour, we still remembered the importance of attending the mass. This became the start of the day. All of us, together with Fr. Roy experienced having mass with the Koreans. They were solemnly hearing the word of God and really paying attention to the Holy mass. It was a short walk from the bus to the church but I really felt the cold weather of the city. After attending the mass, we went to the Ginseng shop and then went to the one of the most awaited part of the tour which is The Face Shop. As Fr. Roy said, “Dito talaga nagtagagal pag tour.” Of course mostly of us were ladies, and the prices of the make-up were much cheaper than that of Face Shop here in the Philippines. After this, we had lunch at Mermer which is also a buffet restaurant that has a solo pot for everyone for the shabu-shabu meal. After lunch, we visited the Ice Gallery. We also experienced how to make an ice sculpture. I was lucky for winning the third place in ice carving. We were taught of making the Ice glass. Then to Dongdaenum Fashion Market. We went to Doota mall and bought some Korean Souvenirs. We also ate some street foods which are quite costy. Then we had dinner at Korean City restaurant. The fourth day was more exciting because this is a whole day of shopping. The first shopping stop is the Amethyst Showroom. We saw how to make an Amethyst jewelry. Though we wanted to purchase beautiful ones, it’s quiet expensive but I still bought something which is not much costy. Then we went to Dong wha Duty free shop and bought some make-up. There were the variety of Korean make-ups. Tony Moly, Missha, Etude House, Face Shop, Saem, Skin Food, name it! It’s present there and I looooove it so much! We were also able to visit the Buddha Temple then we had lunch at El Mareta. The foods there were superb! This was also a picture taking time for us especially with my B1 because we were dressed the same. After lunch, we watched the Nanta Show. It was at Myeongdong Street. The show was a Kitchen musical. It took as an hour to watch it and it was really great. The actors and actresses were really talented and funny. I enjoyed this part as well. And then there, the ultimate shopping for us. Many famous but not affordable brands were there. Sadly, it was raining that’s why there were no street vendors that time. Our dinner were also held along Myeondong. I loved the foods at today restaurant because of variety recipes of shrimp. We ate as fast as we could then have a short time for a last minute shopping. It was really fast that it became our last day in Korea. But still our morning was filled with fun. We went to a theme park again called Lotte World. It was raining then that’s why we were not able to go outside but I experienced almost all the rides. We were given 10,200 Korean won for our meal. After Lotte World, we went to Aiins World. In there, there are the miniature of famous Landmarks in the world. At least we had a photo in the Eiffel Tower like we were in France. The coldness of the weather is really serious. They said that it was 4 degrees that’s why it is that called. We almost run because we can’t finish taking pictures and the weather is not tolerable at all. We went to the supermarket afterwards and bought Korean foods. Our groceries were packed in boxes so we could include it on our check- in luggage. 15 minutes away from the Supermarket is the airport. We had a group check-in prior to our arrival in the airport so it became easier for us. As I remembered we arrived 3 hours before boarding time so we had spare time to eat and shop and the airport. We dine at the Food court and ate some burgers, our cravings. I never thought that this happy experience will turn into a horrible one. I don’t have any idea that I missed my money somewhere. I was about to buy Ice cream and some chocolate pie when I discovered that I left it somewhere. I really got paranoid and panic. I ran into the last place where I’ve been but sadly it wasn’t there. Out of nowhere, I really don’t know that to my panic, I also left my mobile. Only I discovered it we were already in the plane. I really cried and it made my heart broke. Up to now, I don’t understand why it has to happen to me. Long ride again with a flight KE 623, it took us approximately 4 hours going back to the Philippines. On board, foods were served again. Choices of Bibimbap, seafood or chicken were there and the delicious Red carpet cheesecake ice cream that made my crying some how stop. After 4 hours, we arrived at NAIA 1. We were still on our winter clothes and weather humid is soothing our body. The process was really different from Korea. It took us little time to pass by the immigration. After that were the bus waiting for us then we were transferred to UST. Parents were there waiting for us and lastly, bade good bye to our colleagues.

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