Garosu-gil (가로수길): (part 2: Architecture to Smile For)

Yes, who wouldn't want to experience new facades that would soothe the eyes in Seoul? I mean...the architectures of shops and cafes in Garosu-gil are apparently nice to look at.  

People could describe it as European-style architecture--no matter how fake-looking it may be--coz it's nothing more than a facade to 'lure' consumers into the cafes. But, it does work, right? me myself...I was kinda attracted to this myself.:-) 

Smile Market. Hmm...I wonder if even the mannequins were also smiling at us.

And..I wonder what kind of smiles they're offering. 

Another porch..? Veranda?? adorned with flowers colorful enough for sidewalk(ers) to look at and decide..." hmm..." 

Veranda full of flowers. Wonder if they're real ones. 

I thought that tourists were not that many. But I was wrong...is it because it's Sunday that I overheard Chinese and Japanese languages being spoken....

Yes..some tourists from neighboring countries started to fling around here...

Oh, they have Forever 21, too. and...it boasts its 4 floors?? 

One of the corners that I loved. It's cute little shop with unique concept. 

These two women in red are tourist guides who would be gladly helping out any tourists who might ask for directions around Garosu-gil.

The fact that these kinds of guides are there...only means one thing: Garosu-gil started to attract many foreign visitors. 

Later on on my other entry: I saw lots of foreign brand cars around here.

It's indeed a really new atmosphere to behold. 

Glass-through walls..open for everyone to see and be seen really encapsulates the very core purpose of this kind of place. 

Freya: where have you been?

Today, you mean, Daddy? Yes. I tagged along with you all day, right?

*Oh Yes. You and I were going to Gangnam where we met Eunhee seonsaengnim. We got to meet her before she went back to Indonesia where she is currently living.

*What did we have for lunch?

A small pizza for me and one large pizza for Eunhee ssnm and you, Daddy.

I loved the fact that they even prepared a small size pizza just for me. 

Another picture that showed how we ended up meeting again after we last met on August in Eunhee ssnm's wedding reception in Busan.

* Till we meet again, Kim Eunhee ssnm.

Back home: I was playing around with my nuna. I noticed that nuna had just finished her homework, i.e. drawing the same pictures as shown on the right simply by following the dots and lines given on the example. 

I remembered that it was at first hard to follow but then...I noticed that nuna managed to draw the pictures as  instructed.

*And..that's what you called an answer to Daddy's question " Where have you been?"

 Yup, that's pretty much it is.^^

Coex Mall

Frankly speaking, I am a kind of mall boy/mall man myself. I mean: I love going to the malls just to see how people interact and mingle with one another in a shopping center. Not that I love shopping, No. I just kinda love to see the different outdoor (though malls are mostly indoor)^^ activities bestowed upon my eyes. And...more than that...I also love the feeling of being in the midst of crowds. Strange, eh?

So, back home either in Jogjakarta or in Jakarta, I used to go to the malls twice a  week. Especially, I love the malls back home in Jakarta with its high sophisticated and full-of-cultural shows they have to offer (though most of them are wrapped in economy-driven or hedonistic atmosphere)^^

But that does not refrain me from not going^^(but...pls. keep in mind...that I am NOT into shopping spree^). I'm more of a onlooker^^

Now that I am living in Seoul, the capital of Korea....I also cannot refrain myself from not going to the malls—though I have to admit the the concept of mall here is somewhat different from those of backhome’s.

But..that’s the challenges.

So, up to now...I Park Mall and Coex mall are two of the representatives of the malls that I like visiting right here in Seoul. No other reasons than both of them somewhat.....represent ...what the malls backhome were like. (still, quite different).

So, this time around, I took my family to Coex mall located at Samsong-dong. It’s the business district in Gangnam area where most of luxury hotels and major company’s headquarters are located.

The World Trade Center, the COEX Aquarium, the huge exhibition halls, and of course ..waif for it....Megabox (one of the early huge cineplex in Seoul) are all there in one place. So, being there could be a refreshing idea to spend a weekend or any day in a week.......But mind you...it would not be so refreshing for the pockets^^; for most of them are not cheap. ^^

So, the kids love going there simply for taking another view of what Seoul has to offer for its residents as well as for its visitors.

See the pics: the kids love balloons and hopla...they always make sure that balloons are in their itineraries. (sigh^^). Then, the books. Yes, shopping and hunting for books are what I mostly like, so I have become a regular member of Bandi and Luni’s Bookstore and Kyobo bookstore (two of the biggest bookstores in Seoul—I assume).

 Well, this is pretty much of what we did in Coex mall.

Namu Geuneul Park 나무 그늘 Park

Nasi Goreng ...and its simply fresh salad

It is a name of a restaurant specializing in a fusion food combining Korean food and those of Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesian food.

with Ms Lia, and
 Mrs. Park (the owner of the restaurant)

So, I went there for some occasion.
It was actually a too-good-to-be-true kind of chance since I was actually accompanying Ms. Lia in search of a human-related or human interest program.

ready to dig in.....

I do not need to tell what it is but the thing is.....
I had a greaat time being one of the informants
for the program.
like this one..
I would never have known it existed, had I not become a friend in need for Mbak Lia's program.

three sets of nasi goreng on the menu for us

So, shortly speaking, this so-called restaurant serves dosirak or bento or lunch box or any meal box ready to be made ....made to order....^^
the food is delicious since the cooks are from Indonesia and from Korea.
Even some cooks have had some experiences of working at Hyatt Hotel.

the front facade of the restaurant

Yesterday (November 26, 2011), I went to two of the restaurants at Gangnam area in Seoul.
Nasi goreng.....yippiee....it's spicy sea food fried rice...with the touch of Indonesian flavor.
It does indeed taste different from the Korean fried rice or bokgeumbab.
It is simply dazzlingly delicious.

the decorative touches of the restaurant

And..I also learned that some Korean artists
living in Gangnam area also love this fried rice...and other Indonesian-food inspired lunch box.
I loved it.
So, in case anyone wonder where to go.....
just simply click the following site:  www.foodstyling.co.kr

Another restaurant: the headquarter

You will find arrays of meals.
Check out the star food. ^^
But, the site is in Korean, but for those who cannot read Korea's Hangeul...pls. enjoy the picture of the meal being offered there.