Chuseok O'Clock!

People, Sweater Weather has come! (*Note: I capitalize because, to me, Sweater Weather is something in the vicinity of sacred.) I was told today, as I proudly wore a brand new sweater to school, that I looked "coozy." I think they meant cozy.

So, Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving has come and gone. So what better way to explain my holiday than in pictures. Here goes:

We spent a couple of days out east in Seoraksan -- Korea's biggest mountain.







Where we stayed, Osaek, there are famous springs there that were discovered by a Buddhist Monk many a year ago. This water tasted so much like iron, I felt like a vampire. (Cuz, you know, iron tastes like blood? Not funny? Shoot.)








We took a long stroll (the front desk Korean guy at the resort said it was a "hike," and despite the fact that all of the Koreans on the trail with us were in full-on hiking gear, complete with boots and sticks, this most definitely, just a stroll) through the mountains for a few hours one morning. Lots of pretty water falls.










Don't worry, mom. If I had fallen into the water fall, the life ring would have saved me.












Then, we went to the beach! We gazed at the ocean and tried to see Japan. We didn't.













Sokcho, the city on the eastern coast of Korea, is famous for dried squid and sting ray. Both equally disgusting and smelly.











After we returned from the east, we spent a day at Everland, Korea's best amusement park. We battled Korean crowds all day, but the T-Express 70 degree drop roller coaster made it all worth while.







So scared to ride the roller coaster...














Ali in the map, where he spends most of his life.

















We made friends with a polar bear! For being the most ferocious of all bears, they sure look cute and cuddly.












If you can't read the first point on this sign, it says: "The drunken, pregnant, old are not permitted in this ride." Gotta watch out for those pregnant drunk old people. They're a serious problem here.











Ali tried to win me a stuffed animal, in true "date at an amusement park" style, but he didn't. I love him anyway.








And we even got to spend a day in Hongdae at a little hand-made arts market, enjoying the fall weather and gazing at all of the beautiful pieces of art that we would never be able to fit home in our suitcase. Someday, someday.

So, to sum it up, a fantabulous Korean Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for, and so grateful I could spend another (and VERY likely my last) Chuseok in this country.