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Archive for April, 2012

Apr 27

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Flashback Friday: The Time I Was an Au Pair in Europe

Alternatively titled, the time I was Cinderella in Europe. Without a fairy godmother or Prince Charming.

First off, a lot of people might be asking, what the heck is an au pair? When I told people in the United States of my plans to work abroad as an au pair I was usually met with a confused look. An au pair is kind of a babysitter, language tutor, and cultural ambassador hybrid. Au pairs are hired most often as a way for families to expose their children to mother tongue English speakers. Thus, most of the au pair’s time is spent with children speaking English. You may be required to help with chores around the house or prepare more in depth lessons, but usually you are only expected to do about 5 hours of work a day. In return, the au pair is given room and board and a weekly allowance of what is considered pocket money (in Italy this is less than 100 euro a week). So while you won’t be raking in the cash, by being an au pair in Europe you will be immersed in a new culture and make enough for a few glasses of wine (or pints of beer) on the weekend. Read more

Apr 25

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My 7 Super Shots

A few months ago HostelBookers put a call out for travel bloggers to post their favorite photos based on 7 different categories. After oohing and ahing over many other bloggers’ photos I decided that it was high time I take part in HostelBooker’s 7 Super Shots.

These photos might not be the best that I’ve taken from a technical standpoint, but they are all special to me, and a lot of the time that means more than framing or exposure ever could. Read more

Apr 23

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Korea’s First Pop Up Restaurant

This past weekend I had the opportunity to dine at Korea’s first pop up restaurant, Back Kitchen Seoul. Pop up restaurants, for those unfamiliar, are temporary restaurants that allow chefs to experiment with different concepts and ingredients without the financial burden and time consuming effort of opening a permanent eatery. These short term restaurants are popular in major cities, especially in the United States and England. Word is often spread through social media, and when I read on Twitter a month or so ago that the food bloggers behind ZenKimchi and Seoul in the City were joining forces for a one night only creative culinary experience, I knew I had to be there. Read more

Apr 16

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A Weekend in Gyeongju

When I decided to stay in Korea for another year I made a promise to myself to see more of the country. Last week, with sunny skies and spring time temperatures on the horizon, I knew I needed to start making good on that promise. After researching a variety of cities on this peninsula I settled on Gyeongju, capital of the ancient Silla kingdom and city of many cherry blossoms. Read more

Apr 13

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Flashback Friday: Cherry Blossom Festivals

I apologize for the lack of posts in the past week. Lack of internet access in the most connected country in the world, holidays, and hospital visits have had me slacking! I return with a Flashback Friday post dedicated to cherry blossoms in honor of my trek down to Gyeongju this weekend in hopes of finding some more of these famous flowers. Read more

Apr 4

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Reading List: 2012 Books 1-10

I love to read. Ever since I was a child I would tear through books at lightning speed and be onto the next. My reading slowed down a little in college, and determined to change that I set a goal for myself this year. I am going to read 50 books.

Inspired partly by the recent post at Camels & Chocolate, I decided to share some of my thoughts on what I’ve read this year. I know that many travelers are avid readers, or use reading as a way to pass the time on long bus, train, and plane rides, and I also know that I am always looking for something great to pick up next. A lot of these would to great books to read while traveling.  Read more

Apr 2

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Hiking in Seoul: Achasan and Bukhansan

I don’t have any official statistics, but if I had to guess I would say that hiking is the Korean national pastime. A large part of this is probably due to the fact that about 70 percent of the Korean peninsula is covered by mountains and even in Seoul, the second largest city in the world, you’re never far away from a good climb. As spring slowly washes over the country, you can expect to see more and more older Koreans decked out in head to toe name brand hiking gear ready to hit a mountain and do some hiking in Seoul. Read more