New Eyes

I have lived in Seoul for almost two years, but I never miss an opportunity to see the city again and again, especially with a new pair of eyes at my side.  I forget sometimes how cool it is here, how each turn lends to something new.  With Christie at my side, she helped me open my lids and take it all in once more:

From the newest structures that have blossomed upon our arrival:

To the busy streets and overpasses, we trekked through snow and ice to make it happen!

I introduced her to Seoul's English-friendly subway system, teaching her all the tricks of the trade of catching a quick connection, and how to find her way back "home".

Our first stop? Marvelous Insadong, a gentle, warm place to start for any Seoul-tourist.

Full of passionate artists and interesting boutiques, this place had my "C" written all over it!

These two panels were on the subway wall leading out to the main Insadong strip, it is always covered in art, a good inclination of what is to come!

Before diving head-first into shopping, I took Christie over to my fave haunt, Jogyesa Temple. I adore the outpouring of incense, the gentle hum of prayer and tapping of the drum.  I also like how during the winter elaborate gardens are still in bloom...made of heads of cauliflower and cabbage!

The Temple always has something new to offer, on this day it had a lovely lantern display out front and new stone sculptures structured around the Buddhist faith:

A lovely cherry blossom lantern, wish I could pluck it down and add it to our home!

After toiling round the Temple grounds, we explored the nearby shopping center, ducking in and out of shops to stay warm and browse for something special.

Christie did find an adorable head band that you'll see later, and I found an adorable 60's style blouse, which reminded me of "A Secretary is Not a Toy" from the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying...you can take the musical theater major out of America, but not out of her heart!

We had a delish lunch of bibimbop, kimchi stew, and seafood pancake.  It warmed us and prepped us to brave the cold yet again.

Experienced Korean eater!

We couldn't leave before we took a photo of another often-occurring Seoul siting, the "couple".  

Couples in Korea go big or go home.  They constantly out-date Ryan and I, not just going to the movies...but going to the movies, buying matching t-shirts, shoes, AND getting photos taken whilst at the theater with not just the popcorn, but the works of snacks.  That's just one example.

This couple embodied my clues to Christie about this strange-super-couple-phenomenon.  With matching khaki pants, "Dickies" red-embroidered sweatshirts, they were ready for a day on the town!

More snapshots of our marvelous jaunt in and out of the back-alleys of Insadong:

Beam me up! Out of the artsy neighborhood, and onward! We were about to discover a whole new way to walk, thanks to my ever-present traveler Christie, who continued to help me discover new corners in this grand city, and new eyes in which to see them;)