Kaja, Kayla!: Busan Weekend

Last weekend, we went down to Busan on the relatively spontaneous whim of my friend Thildi, whose birthday was the week before. We took a late KTX (Korean high-speed train) down on Friday night and promptly found a cozy wine bar to eat and relax.

I love how over-the-top the decor is in so many bars and coffee shops in Korea :)

That night we stayed in a love motel - a novelty which never ceases to amuse me and one of my favorite things to do in Korea :). Koreans only call them motels, but everyone knows that the quirky, completely dodgy motels' primary function is a place for unmarried Koreans to meet for a singular purpose, as Koreans live with their families until marriage (sometimes into their late 30's and 40's). Anyway, they are very seedy looking but always, in my experience, clean and well-stocked with the amenities. Shampoo and anything else you might think of is always provided.

The next day we checked into our minbak, or Korean guest house. It had 2 rooms with lots of blankets and cushions for sleeping on the floor, and an excellent view of the ocean just on the corner of Busan's famous Haeundae Beach.

one half of the minbak. that mattress was nothing but springs so we all ended up on the floor.

view from the minbak. Haeundae beach to the right!

After, we visited the Jagalchi Fish Market -- another famous location in Busan. There were many interesting fishes available for immediate chopping and eating raw. My friends enjoyed trying a couple strange shellfish raw, though I abstained and offered to be the photographer instead. It was a memorable experience, nonetheless!

the coolest fish in the market, my opinion.

friends with their raw eatings

Jagalchi Fish Market

That night we had delicious Thai food and then went out to have drinks for Thildi's birthday. We went to a bar called Miami, haha. An ice cream cake was stealthily purchased for the birthday girl, and then less stealthily smeared over just about everyone in our party all in good fun. We decided to go home to the minbak after braving the stormy weather to catch a cab and getting soaked in the rain. Rainstorms at the beach are always more exciting! But, earlier in the day, it came about that the dress code for the evening was going to be ahjumma clothing. You may have heard me refer to ahjummas before -- middle aged women with a very specific style in Korea. It all started because I actually liked a dress I saw at an ahjumma shop and then everyone else decided they wanted to try out ahjumma clothes. It was a great time :).

the beautiful ice cream cake ... before

ahjumma dresses, pants, and expressions. they are tough!

The next day we caught a few moments' pleasure in the returning good weather before running for the return train home. It was a wonderful, whirlwind weekend!