It has been a while since I last wrote so I thought that I would post some updates on the past weeked. But first I have I need to get something out of my system - the growing excitement in my tummy for my trip to Malaysia in two more sleeps - EEEEK!!! I am so excited!!!
I will be leaving for Malaysia early Saturday morning (will take the airport bus around 5am) with my friend, Kay, who is not only one of the most awesome people that I know in Korea, but also a co-worker. Our first three nights will be spent in Melia Hotel in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur which is a 4 star hotel and right in the middle of the Golden Triangle where it seems everything exciting happens. We will spend the following three days on gorgeous Pangkor island at the Pangkor Sandy Beach Resort where we will be soaking up the tropical hot weather - and not even think about snowy cold Korea for one minute!
Since I work at a Hagwon and only get two 5-day breaks a year, I'm sure it's not hard for you to understand why I am SO EXCITED to have a break and rest my very sore and hoarse voice!
Back to the past:
Last weekend I went for a lovely brunch with some friends in Jukjeon's cafe street ( I promise I will upload a picture soon of cafe street). I can't remember exactly the name of the place we went to, but it was called brunch something or other (I do have the memory of a goldfish). It was such a treat to have a proper english breakfast! Saturday night we headed to Santorini in Itaewon, an awesome Greek restaurant, for my dear Brittish friend's birthday. I would definitely recommend the souvlaki - divine! We continued the party in Hongdae at some music bar and then in Zen bar till around 5am. Since my hair appointment was in Hongdae that day (Sunday morning at this point), I decided to stay over at the Happy Day Spa which is straight out exit 9 on the way to Hapjeong station. For those of you who don't know, these spa's ,known as jimjibangs in Korea, are naked bath houses. There are separate bath houses for men and women. Happy Day has recently renovated and they are really clean and stacked with all the necessary goodies if you haven't planned to stay over. You get two fresh towels, clean pajamas, and you can buy samples of facewash, shampoo & conditioner, face masks, body lotion, and toothbrushes. The toothpaste hangs on a rope inside the bath house. You lock your shoes in the first set of lockers when you come in. Then you move to the bigger room with the bigger lockers for your clothes and bag. Here you get undressed - completely buck naked - and lock all your things away. You then walk naked and proud into the bath house and dip into a hot tub. There are a few tubs ranging in different degrees and there is a cold pool and sauna too. You are supposed to rotate between the tubs and pool for optimum circulation. There is a button on the wall you can press by the hot tub for a nice jacuzzi experience. Remember to smile apologetically when the force of the water gushing through bottom surprises the ajumas beside you (ajuma is the Korean term for old married woman, likewise, adjusi is the term used for the older married men). After the tubs you head to the row of showers, or alternatively you can sit yourself upon a plastic stool and wash yourself with the hand-held shower if you prefer. Don't be alarmed at how open everyone is or when an ajuma decides to bend in front of you and pick something up. It may all sound quite alarming - but really it all feels totally natural when you are actually there. And although it does take a few trips to get used to the whole idea, in the end you do kind of feel somewhat reminiscent of those childhood sleepovers where you and your girlfriends sat for hours playing with toys in a big hot tub until your fingers and toes got all wrinkly and old-looking... no?
Anyway, afterwards you can use the hairdryer if you like and then put on your pj's and head up one floor to the sleeping area shared with men and women. You have to scavenge around for a matress and a rock hard brick type of pillow. If you are lucky you might get a blanket. But it's pretty warm up there. The really hard part is trying to drift off into some sort of sleep through all the whispers and snoring and random cellphone's ringing!
It IS worth the experience - trust me... or not ;)
Oh by the way - before I forget, what with my goldfish memory and all - on Sunday I went to Hair & Joy, and once again walked out very satisfied with the service and results. Be sure to book with Jonny for best results. He worked in London for a while and has good experience with foreign hair. Everyone I have sent there has also been happy and there are always a number of foreign faces there. Directions are on their site and very easy to get to!
Au Revoir - until my return!
XOXO
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