Free Temple Stay on 21 and 22nd. June, 2013

Hey all, if you are based in Korea and can come down to Seoul to join a Temple Stay, contact me at: sarahinseoul@gmail.com

Trust me that you will love this experience!

Official application deadline is June 15th.however, we will close this offer on June 11th.

My Vegetables are in Full Bloom

ALPHA - BRAVO - CHARLIE:A Pakistani Drama

I don't watch dramas anymore and it has been 15 years when I last saw a Pakistani drama and it's name was: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie.

After every few years, I watch this drama and it never ceases to entertain. It was produced, written and directed by Shoaib Mansoor hence, an instant hit. It still seems as if it's recently shot!

Pictures of the Day

Summers are here and so do we have some of those vegetables and deep ble skies and 

Pakistan's Role in the Korean War (1950-1953)

Some photos that I saw at Gwanghwamun

This open-air/street exhibition was to remember the Korean war and I saw Pakistan's flag - we were not among the combatant troops but we provided the  material support.

Almost everyone who passed by, stopped and had a look at it.

Remembering Korean War's through a street exhibition early this month at Gwanghwamun Station - a few meters from Cheongaechun Stream.

60th Anniversary of Scaling Everest

It was today that Everest which is 8, 848m high was first scaled. More than 3,500 people have successfully climbed the 29,029 ft. mountain—and more than a tenth of that number scaled the peak just over the last year. On one day alone in 2012, 234 climbers reached the peak. 

Samina Baig: First Pakistani Woman to Summit Everest

Samina Baig reached the top of the highest peak in the world at around 7:30am last Sunday becoming the first Pakistani woman.
The 21-year-old mountaineer is from the Shimshal valley of Hunza. On Saturday night, Samina Baig sent her brother a message how she had reached Base Camp IV at the height of 7,900 metres on the South Col between Mt Everest and Lhoste, the fourth highest mountain in the world, after eight hours of hard climbing.

To the surprise of many in the mountaineering community, Samina Baig summited Mount Everest with twin sisters from India - Tashi and Nugshi Malik - also 21 years old and her 29-year-old brother Mirza Ali.

Both Mirza Ali and Samina Baig took everyone by surprise when they held a press conference in Islamabad a day before leaving for Nepal on March 31.

The two were joining a gathering of climbers at the Mount Everest to celebrate 60 years since it was first summited in 1953. Samina Beg said she was about to become the first Pakistani woman to be part of it.

While the climbers from around the world were celebrating the 60 years, the 21-year-old climber was accompanying her brother with another mission.

“Together we are promoting gender equality,” said Samina Baig. Although the brother and sister had not attempted any of the five 8,000 metres plus peaks in Pakistan, the climbing community was in doubt of the pair’s success rate.

Samina Baig and her brother had been climbing for the last three years together.
In 2010, she became the first to ascend the virgin peak Chashkin Sar (above 6,000 meters) now called the ‘Samina Peak’. She conquered another virgin peak in 2011 that was named ‘Koh-i-Brobar’ or the ‘Mount Equality’ in 2011. Samina Baig and her brother were not so lucky on the 7,027 metres high Spantik Peak when bad weather forced them to abandon their summit attempts.

You can visit Samina Baigs' Facebook page HERE to track her activities

SOURCE: DAWN NEWS

Spring 2013 is Finally Over

Rice Paddy in Bundang

Blue berry flowers blooming

Dry Cherry Bloossoms

Duinjang Jars

Carnations

Flower Shop Right Behind the Campus

My First Harvest: Coriander/ Hara Dhanya

I have harvested some of the very exotic vegetables from home such as corriander(hara dhanya)
, Zucchini (torie), ocra (bhindi).

Yesterday, I harvested my first batch of corriender (if I had bought that much quantity - it would have cost me 10USD. Celantro is available these days but it is still expensive. I gave it to a few friends that made them very, very happy.

I also used it in my food and made a bottle full of chuntnie with load of garlic and cumin in it along with chunyang Kochu or the hot green peppers from Korea.....yeahhhhhhhhh!!!

“PSY” Event Coming Soon!

In the pic. above, Psy at seoul Citizen's Library at the City Hall

The big event with global KPOP diva, “PSY (Gangnam Style/Gentleman)” will be starting on June 3rd. 2013 for details visit BUZZ KOREA site! 

He entertained the whole world with his song and dance and became a household name and I'm sure that on June 3rd event..he will entertain us again.

Spread the word about this event and win attractive prizes by Buzz Korea.

Visit their website at:  www.ibuzzkorea.com

Fir more points follow KTO (Korea Tourism Org on SNS.

Concert at Doeksugung Palace: Court Music

In conjugation with Seoul's Spring Festival, on May 19th.(Sun.) at 6:00 p.m Chamber Music (court music) performance is scheduled for the evening.
Free entrance on first come, first served basis.
Visit Korea Foundation website for details.

Seocho Festival at Yangjae on May 16th.

The 25th Anniversary of Seocho District is being celebrated at Yangjae (Line :3) exit 12 tomorrow.
You can also watch Tango and the famous Nanta performance tomorrow for free.
Wonderful concert is going to take place at 1900 hours besides various events including performances and French & Korean food stalls all day long .
You can also enjoy some wine and flowers.
Enjoy the festival with your friends and family!

Festivals and Events for April - May in Seoul and Around

FESTIVALS

Nonsan Strawberry Festival	2013.04.03 – 2013.04.07	Chungcheongnam-do
Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Flower Festival	2013.04.05 – 2013.04.07	Gyeonggi-do
Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival	2013.04.05 – 2013.04.07	Jeju-do
Yangpyeong Sansuyu Festival	2013.04.06 – 2013.04.07	Gyeonggi-do
Hwagae Cherry Blossoms Festival	2013.04.06 – 2013.04.07	Gyeongsangnam-do
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival	2013.04.01 – 2013.04.10	Gyeongsangbuk-do
Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival	2013.04.07 – 2013.04.13	Seoul
Festival of Daegaya Experience	2013.04.11 – 2013.04.14	Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yudalsan Flower Festival	2013.04.13 – 2013.04.14	Jeollanam-do
Seokchon Lake Cherrry Blossoms Festival	2013.04.13 – 2013.04.14	Seoul
Yeouido Spring Flower Festival	2013.04.12 – 2013.04.18	Seoul
Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival	2013.04.17 – 2013.04.21	Gyeongsangbuk-do
Cheongpunghoban Cherry Blossom Festival	2013.04.19 – 2013.04.21	Chungcheongbuk-do
Jeju Canola Flower Festival	2013.04.19 – 2013.04.21	Jeju-do
Muaksan Cherry Blossoms Festival	2013.04.19 – 2013.04.21	Jeollabuk-do
Shinan Tulip Festival	2013.04.19 – 2013.04.28	Jeollanam-do
Jindo Miracle Sea Festival	2013.04.25 – 2013.04.28	Jeollanam-do
Ulsan Whale Festival	2013.04.25 – 2013.04.28	Ulsan
Gwangalli Eobang Festival	2013.04.26 – 2013.04.28	Busan
Beautiful Mint Life	2013.04.27 – 2013.04.28	Gyeonggi-do
Herb Island Light Festival	2012.12.01 – 2013.04.30	Gyeonggi-do
Taean Flower Festival	2013.04.25 – 2013.05.09	Chungcheongnam-do
Jeonju International Film Festival	2013.04.26 – 2013.05.03	Jeollabuk-do
Hampyeong Butterfly Festival	2013.04.26 – 2013.05.08	Jeollanam-do
Damyang Bamboo Festival	2013.05.03 – 2013.05.08	Jeollanam-do
Metal Fest	2013.05.09 – 2013.05.09	Seoul
Lotus Lantern Festival	2013.05.10 – 2013.05.12	Seoul
Jarasum Rhythm and BBQ Festival	2013.05.17 – 2013.05.18	Gyeonggi-do
Seoul Jazz Festival 2013	2013.05.17 – 2013.05.18	Seoul
Green Plugged Seoul	2013.05.17 – 2013.05.18	Seoul
Boseong Green Tea Festival	2013.05.14 – 2013.05.19	Jeollanam-do
World DJ Festival	2013.05.17 – 2013.05.19	Gyeonggi-do
Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival	2013.05.17 – 2013.05.19	Gyeongsangnam-do
Chuncheon International Mime Festival	2013.05.19 – 2013.05.26	Gangwon-do

EXHIBITS:

Tim Burton Exhibition	2012.12.12 – 2013.04.14	Seoul
AR+OY Exhibition by Michael Lau	2013.02.08 – 2013.04.14	Seoul
Modern Masterpieces from the Museum Collection	2013.01.25 – 2013.04.21	Seoul
Memory of Landscape I have never seen	2013.01.25 – 2013.04.21	Seoul
Seoul Nostalgia: A Retrospective Photographic Exhibition of Kim Hanyong	2013.02.28 – 2013.05.05	Seoul
Craft Masters Today	2013.03.05 – 2013.05.12	Seoul
Art Across America	2013.02.05 – 2013.05.19	Seoul
The Peranakan World: Cross-cultural Art from Singapore and the Straits	2013.03.19 – 2013.05.19	Seoul
Seoul has the City Walls Special Exhibit	2013.02.21 – 2013.05.19	Seoul
Hong Soon Tai Photo Exhibition	2013.03.09 – 2013.05.19	Seoul
The Poetic Object - Contemporary Crafts	2012.12.28 – 2013.05.20	Gyeonggi-do
Donated Photographs 2012	2012.12.21 – 2013.05.26	Gyeonggi-do
Opulence : Treasures of Korean Traditional Craft	2013.03.28 – 2013.06.02	Seoul
Korean Art from the Museum Collection_Grand-Narrative Part I	2012.05.01 – 2013.06.09	Gyeonggi-do
DMZ 60 Years Photo Exhibit	2013.03.19 – 2013.06.16	Seoul
Rolling! Visual Art in Taiwan	2013.04.09 – 2013.06.16	Seoul
Xiongnu, the Great Empire of the Steppes -Mongolian Archeological Excavation Result Exhibition	2013.04.30 – 2013.06.19	Seoul
New Visions New Voices	2013.03.12 – 2013.06.23	Gyeonggi-do
Youn Myeung-Ro: Traces of the Spirit	2013.03.26 – 2013.06.23	Gyeonggi-do
The Secret Forest	2012.05.03 – 2013.07.28	Gyeonggi-do
Figurative Journal Chung Guyon Archive	2013.02.28 – 2013.09.22	Gyeonggi-do

OTHERS:

Myeongdong Night Festival (monthly)	2013.04.06 – 2013.04.06	Seoul
Gwangju Spring Flower Show 2013	2013.03.29 – 2013.04.07	Gwangju
Seoul International Photo and Imaging Industry Show	2013.04.04 – 2013.04.07	Seoul
Daegu International Marathon	2013.04.14 – 2013.04.14	Daegu
Seoul Seafood Show	2013.04.18 – 2013.04.20	Seoul
Lotte World Masquerade Festival	2013.03.01 – 2013.04.28	Seoul
Everland Tulip Festival	2013.03.22 – 2013.04.28	Gyeonggi-do
Myeongdong Night Festival (monthly)	2013.05.04 – 2013.05.04	Seoul
International Horticulture Goyang	2013.04.27 – 2013.05.12	Gyeonggi-do
Garden of Morning Calm Wildflowers Exhibition	2013.02.28 – 2013.05.31	Gyeonggi-do
Seoul Land Characters Festival	2013.03.22 – 2013.06.09	Gyeonggi-do
Seoul to Jeonju Free Shuttle Bus	2013.03.01 – 2013.08.25	Jeollabuk-do
Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013	2013.04.20 – 2013.10.20	Jeollanam-do
Wednesday Midday Concerts	3rd Wed of each month	Seoul
Traditional Music & Dance	Saturdays 2013	Busan

International Garden Exposition Suncheon Bay Korea 2013 Preview

I have been there in 2005 and it's breathtaking. How much this area has changed since then requires another trip.

Take a QUIZ and win tickets for this expo here.

International Garden Exposition Suncheon Bay Korea 2013 (see: Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013 Documentry here) is the first international environment and ecology event to be held in Korea. The expo begins its six-month run on April 20, 2013 at its venue of Suncheon Bay in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province. The expo’s theme is “Suncheon Bay, Garden of the Earth,” and it features 82 gardens from 23 countries at its main venues of the International Wetland Center and Arboretum Zone. Dongcheon Stream* is the scenic backdrop for the performance stage, which will host daily cultural events.

The expo is expected to draw a large number of tourists to its 11 world gardens and 60 participatory gardens, which were created by artists from Korea and abroad, businesses, and cities. Theme gardens will also highlight the significance of the Suncheon Bay Garden Expo.

A garden is a place where people can relax and interact with nature. Thus, the Suncheon Bay Garden Expo is an international event befitting the 21st century ideals in pursuit of the coexistence of humans and nature.

Expo admission tickets give access to all gardens and facilities inside the venue. Exploring the expo site in its entirety requires more than one day. To ensure ample time to visit other tourist sites in Suncheon, plan a three-day, two-night trip including travel time. Visitors that are short on time should take a map of the expo venue and plan which attractions are a priority during the visit.
All visitors that are ready to take a tour of the expo should be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The spring sun can be strong in Korea, so don’t forget to bring sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses.

* Dongcheon Stream: The stream runs through the heart of Suncheon and flows into Suncheon Bay.

STRONG WINDS TODAY.....

Spring seems far, still it's very COLD. Especially, nights are freezing and winds are all we have got these days. The weather is truly strange.

Wind is blowing so hard right now that  it seems as if the windows will break and the roof will be blown away...

Updated on 10th. April: Slush i.e a combination of rain and snow was what I witnessed yesterday during lunch time...sucks!

Halal Shrimp Mandu at Dongdaemun History and Culture Museum

These mandu were really tasty and most important of all, halal and I had 2 serving (16 mandu) and udong too.I could'nt finish udong though.
This place is right behing the mall "Migliore" - at the back street and you have to  take exit 12 of Dongademun History and Cultural Museum.
For the most part, every mandu that you see in stores has pork. In Korea, it's unheard of not to add mandus.