Changdeokgung in Autumn

Changdeokgung (Prospering Virtue Palace) is one of the five grand palaces of Seoul build during the Josean Dynasty.  It is one of the smaller palaces, and only about a third of the structures still exist following the destruction of many of Korea's places of historical significance during the Japanese occupation.

On top of spaghet-teeeee....

I have been tinkering with a recipe for meatballs for over a year now.  It's a very simple 'mix everything together and throw into slow cooker' type of recipe.  Which suits me as I am no master chef.  Due to the Colonel eating solids, I also recently purchased a food processor, so am now experimenting to see how much I can get away with using it, rather than using my hands like a chump!

So here we go...

World's worst gardener has success!

I have a not entirely undeserved reputation for being something of a mediocre gardener. 

I happily admit to being enthusiastic, but totally lacking in skill when it comes to horticulture of any kind.  This rosemary plant is a more typical example of what happens when I attempt to grow my dream apartment garden.

The Hangang

The Hangang (Han River) runs all the way through the centre of Seoul and on both sides can be found kilometre after kilometre of well maintained bike path, walking track, exercise areas, playgrounds and picnic spots.  Not to mention a 7-11 every few kilometres in case you run out of beer or soju*.

Election Day!

 

A short post today.  If any of you aren't in the 13 million odd who have already watched this video, here it is.  In honour of both today's US Presidential Election and our adopted home!

Gangnam Style is well worthy of a post in itself.  There is much more going on behind that song and video than just the horse dance.  For those who are interested, I would recommend taking a look at this article from the Atlantic.

Rate my Parma!

After spending a week in a rather uncomfortable place (not the back of a Volkswagen, for those who remember Mall Rats) I offered Husband the dinner of his choice upon his return.  Without hesitation the response came, "Parma!".  I'm not a big parma eater myself, and I don't think it has ever been served in Seoul, there being a lack of Bowls clubs around here (or for the Canberra readership, the Dickson Tradies). 

High Chair Quest 2012

In Korea there are no large baby stores like we are accustomed to in Australia.  There are a few stores around that stock a handful of car seats and strollers at extraordinarily inflated prices, but nothing huge where you can get everything at once.  Koreans buy most of these things online I believe, which is challenging for a foreigner for bureaucratic reasons, plus the obvious language barrier.  So, instead they have a baby fair about twice a year.  A few months ago Husband, the Colonel and I (along with every Korean couple who had a baby or had become pregnant within the previous six months) dutifully trotted off to COEX (when it's not hosting the Nuclear Security Summit) to see what we could find.

This is not my picture but gives you an idea of the line!

 To say it was busy would be an understatement bordering on the ridiculous. 

Galbi Jjim (beef short ribs)

Korean cooking adventures!  A handful of times, Husband and I have made the trek to the south of the river to a restaurant in Apgujeong that only serves Korean braised beef ribs called galbi jjim.  Apparently this dish is prepared mainly for special occasions (given the cost of beef ribs, this is hardly surprising).  This perhaps explains why the restaurant is frequently filled with extended families looking a little more dressed up than Koreans generally are in restaurants.  That could also just because it's Gangnam (it's a place, not a silly horse dance).