Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
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Seoul Searching is a travel and culture blog written by an American expat. The mission of this blog is to educate (and hopefully entertain) the internet community on the good, the beautiful, and the quirky of Korea.
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
Last weekend, I accomplished the most physically (and mentally) challenging feat of my life. At 5,286 meters (17,343 feet), Iztaccihuatl is the third highest mountain in Mexico and the seventh highest in North America. And, over the course of 15 grueling but eye-opening hours, I hiked the “sleeping woman” – and lived to tell about it!
Hiking Iztaccihuatl
For the months leading up to this journey – my first high-altitude hike ever – I was nervous as hell.
As a kid, I was never involved in sports, not because I wasn’t interested, but because I always felt I wasn’t athletic enough ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
Boasting a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, striking city views and postcard-worthy colonial architecture draped in vibrant bougainvillea, Taxco is perhaps one of Mexico’s most charming towns. Situated a short two and half hour bus ride from Mexico City, it’s an easy weekend trip from the capital city. Whether you’re looking to try new foods, delve into Mexican culture or shop for silver, this pueblo mágico’s got it all. Read on for the top 10 things to do in Taxco.
Santa Prisca de Taxco, Zocalo, Taxco
Wander the streets of the Zocalo
This small plaza is the heart and soul of ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
I take a deep breath as the puerta to the clay hut in which I sit is closed. Darkness permeates the space as I settle into place, readying my mind for what’s to come. Words I do not understand are chanted by a shaman while he douses the hot rocks in front of me with a bouquet of water-soaked eucalyptus, filling the cramped structure with hisses of steam. Soon, every inch of my skin is drenched. I breathe again, this time feeling less anxious about my claustrophobia and more comfortable with what’s unfolding here. This is a temazcal, and I am about to be reborn.
Temazcal experience in Mex ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
I understand the controversy around traveling internationally during a global pandemic, so when I had the opportunity to visit Mexico City in October, I spent a good few days weighing the pros and cons of booking a trip. Since the beginning of the outbreak, I’ve taken advice from medical professionals seriously. But I've also seen the ill effects the pandemic has had on the tourism industry and all those who work in it.
Enjoying a crowd-free day at Teotihuacan pyramids
As someone who has already had COVID-19, and tested positive for the antibodies, I felt relatively comfortable knowi ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
I can feel it. There's a crispness in the air that hints fall is near.
So close, in fact, that the first hints of autumn colors can be seen streaking the mostly verdant leaves that canopy the green spaces of Seoul. The aroma of roasting chestnuts permeates the busy streets downtown. Sweaters take over the storefronts of Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Sinsa, the shopping districts of the city.
Yes, I can feel it. And I'm giddy.
Photo Credit: Ramesh Saini
You see, there's something about autumn that makes my heart beat a little faster. There always has been. When I lived in Americ ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
I love sharing my experiences in Korea with you guys, but let's face it... my eyes can only see so much. So, to give you a bit of a wider perspective, I am now accepting guest posts on Seoul Searching. I'm excited to announce that the first contributor is Dale Quarrington, Korean temple aficionado and author of Korean Temples: From Korea’s Southeast Corner, with his top three temples in Korea. Check out his post below.
I am often asked what my favourite Korean temple might be. And being a bit of a Korean Buddhist temple aficionado, this question is a lot harder than it may seem with ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
As most of you know, Korea has for a long time held a very special place in my heart and now that I am once again living in America, I am always looking for ways to keep it close to my heart – literally and figuratively.
Which is why I was so ecstatic to discover KORELIMITED, a streetwear brand based in Southern California that celebrates Korean culture and lifestyle through unique, trend-forward designs. Think nostalgia-inducing sweatshirts boasting retro soju labels, t-shirts featuring a vintage Hodori – the official mascot of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul – and hats, hoodies and b ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
A few years back, I quit my job as an English teacher and decided to study Korean full-time as a university student. At the time, I had forgotten what it was like to live without a steady income and it didn't take me long to realize that my habits of frivolous spending had to come to an end. For good.
You see, when you live in Seoul, especially if you're teaching English, it's easy to throw around money and not even realize you're spending it. Between nights out bar hopping in Hongdae, dinners at upscale restaurants in Itaewon, daily morning coffee at Starbucks and shopping sprees on Ga ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
In the past, dog ownership was fairly rare in South Korea. Over the past few years, however, it has become increasingly common, if not the norm for urban-dwelling Seoulites. Taking advantage of the recent pet craze, many entrepreneurs have struck gold with their dog-centric businesses ranging from puppy cafes to pet clothing stores. Furthermore, Seoul-based enterprises ranging from hotels to restaurants have also begun to cater to canines and their humans.
So, if you’re looking to explore the city and take Fido along with you, these are the best places to do it.
© Igor Putina ..read more
Seoul Searching | Travel Culture In Korea
2y ago
It’s no secret that the Korean beauty world is one step ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to the latest and greatest in skincare and makeup. In case you didn’t know, Korean women are the queens of skincare and invest lots of time (and won) into their glowing, youthful skin. If you’ve been wanting to up your #SkincareGame,or even just start a regular skincare routine, you need to hop on the K-beauty train.
Fortunately for those of us not living in Korea, it’s gotten much easier to find the latest and greatest Korean beauty products. But now, subscription boxes take it to the next l ..read more