Reunited and it feels so good!

On the afternoon of Saturday March 12th, my mom and sister landed at Incheon International Airport! We planned this visit for quite some time and I felt as if it would never get here but it finally did. I was so excited! They were here for two weeks, the second which included my spring break.
After picking them up, we took the Airport Limousine bus back to my apartment. My mom was exhausted after the long flight so she took a quick nap. Then we headed out for some all-you-can-eat galbi--had to start them off right!

They are here!

 Bring on the all-you-can-eat galbi

The following day, we toured Namdaemun (one of the markets) then we went to the Myeongdong Shinsegae Department Store and then to Myeongdong (the big shopping area). We got some bibimbap for lunch (which is a very common dish here that includes rice, sauteed and seasoned vegetables, sliced meet and a fried egg. The ingredients are all mixed together rice before eating). We then headed off to church for Freedom Sunday (a worldwide day to bring awareness about human trafficking)--see previous post). They were able to meet some of my friends and then a bunch of us headed off to dinner.

 Namdaemun Market

 I had to show them Shinsegae Department Store (not for the clothes/Tiffany's/Coach inside but for the cakes...haha)

 Myeongdong-the shopping district

 Etude House...

 At church on Freedom Sunday

After dinner, we went up Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan. We had fun riding the cable car and taking lots of pictures.

 My "oma" :)

Posing with K-pop stars

Later that week, we toured the palaces, went to a noraebang, took a boat cruise on the Han river, ate a lot of food and went to Dr. Fish.




Gyeongbokgung Palace

 Squatty potty! "Um, how am I supposed to use this?"

 It's Waffle Time

 Funny bathroom signs at a waffle cafe by my school

 Cute waffle cafe

  Waffles--Korea's favorite dessert

Noraebang 

Who could love noreabang more than I love it? My sister of course!

 Singing Spanish songs in Korea! :) 

Another cafe 

 Yes ladies and gentlemen, that is a Hello Kitty Cafe. Korea is full of cuteness.

 This place was crazy!

 Hello Kitty Caramel Macchiatos

Han River Boat Cruise

Magic Show on the Riverboat Cruise

                            

 After the river cruise, we had dinner at a nice restaurant that overlooks the river.

 And this lady was a great singer covering songs by The Beatles and Eric Clapton

 On the subway

Relaxing


After being super-tourists, we needed an evening just to relax. I took this chance to show off my awesome Korean skills (not really) and ordered us some jjigae (stew. see previous posts). We also had my favorite: cakes!

 Grocery shopping

Happy early birthday Mom!

Dr. Fish

At the end of the week, we were exhausted but ready for China!




Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
-- Brad Henry