Skip to content

Posts by Amanda Slavinsky

May 1

IMG_2876

Seodaemun Prison History Museum

I visited Seodaemun Prison History Museum last fall on a dreary day, a fitting backdrop for this somber attraction. The prison, originally called Gyeongsong Gamok, was constructed in the early 1900s during Japanese colonial rule and was used to house political prisoners and those thought to be against the Japanese occupation of Korea. The most serious offenders were tortured and executed at Seodaemun as well. After Japanese colonial rule ended following their defeat in World War II, the Korean government continued to use the facility until 1987 when it was moved out of the city. Five years later, in 1992, the site became a museum dedicated to those who were imprisoned or lost their life in the name of freedom and peace. Read more

Apr 25

7524_954223641033_2204414_52401022_4642585_n
2 Comments

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 16

IMG_3255
1 Comment

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

2 Comments

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

4 Comments

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. Read more

Apr 2

IMG_1498
2 Comments

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. Read more

Mar 30

Flashback Friday: Springtime in Rome

We’ve finally gotten our first taste of spring like temperatures here in Seoul and it has me in anticipation of what is to come. I’ve mentioned it here before, but I absolutely adore the “transition” seasons. Not too hot, not too cold, and in Korea, not raining every single day. There’s nothing better than finally taking off your winter coat,venturing outside on a sunny day, and taking a deep breath of that crisp, fresh air that only spring can bring. Read more

Mar 28

1 Comment

The ABCs of Travel

This meme went around the travel blogging community a few months ago, and while I was never tagged (and am a lot late to the party) I thought it would be a good way to get back into the swing of blogging. So, here you go, my ABCs of travel. Read more

Mar 26

Farsickness 2.0

The three or four people who actually followed this blog with any regularity may have noticed the radio silence of the past five months. There’s really no excuse, but I have some good news. Read more

Oct 11

3 Comments

Stress Free in Samcheok

September was a month of stress.  I felt the exhaustion beginning the pile up.  Six months of 11 hour workdays had my head spinning.  Completely idiotic new policies at work and the refusal of my request for two days off to go home for my friend’s wedding had me scouring Kayak for a flight home.  For good.  I didn’t care about traveling.  About writing.  I just wanted to see familiar faces in familiar places.  I finally cooled down enough to see that quitting wasn’t the right option (I get a hefty sum of money for completing my contract, to be used for traveling and my next set of plans) and booked a trip to Samcheok, on the eastern coast of Korea in the Gangwon-do province as a pick me up. Read more

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
« Older Entries