International Food Festival (part 5): Friends Who Invited Me into Their World

Aigerim and Elmira (not shown on picture) were the first friends who got me aware of this event. Kakaotalk-ing with me a week ago...to make sure that I could come and be a part of their annual festival. 

Let's take a moment to celebrate, Aigerim. 

One of my best friends, Jobirson. Well, We were at the same campus, HUFS, when we're still learning Korean language back in the 2011 and 2012. 

Now he's studying at KDI. 

A nice attire, Jobir. 

Then, ...what would a picture be without Felix (the guy on the right) from Ghana. Just like Jobirson, Felix used to be at the same university (HUFS) with me until he--also--started his study at KDI. 

Then..off we went again..with Jobirson from Uzbekistan.

Again with full-fledged smile on our face.:-) 

Last but not least, what would it be without photo with friends from Indonesia an other Southeast Asian countries. 

Thanks for inviting me, my dear friends.

International Food Festival (part 4); Newly Found Friends

Apart from tasting and savoring in new tastes of foods, I also had a chance to see new friends from around the globe.

These are my newly found friends from African countries in their colorful outfits. 

Then, at Asian Harmony booth, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar also shared their native food to the visitors. 

Fellow friends from Middle-Eastern countries had a chance to show off their best delicacies. 

These are fellow students from European countries.

Oh, once again..I was hooked in African booth. Well, they're friendly and more than that..they made I think 6 kinds of fried rice that I loved the most.

Yes, colorful fried rice...: BIG mistake: I didn't take the pic of the food.:-( 

Asian Harmony: Friends from Southeast Asian countries gathered in this booth to show off their best delicacies to the visitors. 

"Please..please..let me put this onto your plate. You got to try this."

Friends from Africa and South America offered me enthusiastically. 

"Salute from Africa"

International Food Festival (part 1): Ethiopian Coffee

 It got my attention. The spread-out ingredients on the floor as soon as I stepped out of the elevator and turned right into the venue.

Yes, Ethiopian friends prepared the traditional making of their coffee drinking culture.

Although I am not an avid coffee drinker, this surely ticked my inner 'adventurous' ego.

First, what do popcorn have to do with coffee? 

Then..there are real coffee, the kettle, the beans, the incense, ... 

okay, I would love to try it out and asked the lady who's serving the presentation.. 

  

It was served right in front of us...for the sake of pure and live experience. 

and...do I like it? Yes, to my surprise..I do...I mean I did.

I was taken aback for a moment as I sipped it since it was the strongest coffee I ever tasted. 

Luckily, the lady offered me some sugar ..and with two spoons of additional sugar, my first Ethiopian Coffee experience went smoothly into my memory.

Trapped in a Taxi Involved in an Accident!!:-D)

I was in a hurry after a meeting with a professor at Sungkyunkwan University at Daehangno. As soon as my meeting with her got wrapped up, I rushed myself to the street during rush hour of people coming from work. Luckily I found an empty taxi parked and then...I opened the door and off we went to my next destination: KDI School where I would attend International Food Festival!! yiippeyyy......

and I promised my friends that I would be there at 4 and the great news was that..it was already 4.30...well......

It was only three minutes or so inside the taxi when something bumped into the back of the taxi I was in. Another car smashed into the taxi!!!

Oh nooooo.....

yes...the traffic was well.....evening rush hour at Daehangno.

the taxi driver --as expected--got mad and got out of the car and confronted the man who hit his taxi.

and..then..I was like..."OH NO. This is not happening"

Should I just leave the taxi? 

Should I just leave and get another cab?

SHould I take the subway? It's way too late.

...I asked the driver....and he said.."Just stay for a minute. You're not in a hurry, aren't you?"

and those words were like..."WHAAT?"

"well, of course I am in a huryy" face that I was putting on seemed DID NOT budge him.

oh..well..I got to wait..and wait...and wait...

and ....as patient as I could be..

I could not help but taking the picture of when it all was folding up right in front of my eyes.

LOOONG STORY SHORT==> the driver settled with the man who hit his taxi, and...I was then ushered to my next meeting venue: KDI>

thank you , Ajeossi...for making such memorable evening.

**-**

Iftar + Birthday Feast @ Ramadan 2013

Saturday, 20 July 2013. Sangwolgok. 

Indonesian students along with their families who currently live in Seoul, especially those studying at KDI, KAIST, KIST, HUFS, Korea University, Kwangwoon University, and others. 

We had our first gathering during Ramadan.

First, it's Fasting Month and what could be more exciting than meeting other Indonesian friends in Korea and celebrating the fasting? 

The first iftar we had: kolak: a coconut-milk cocktail. 

Well, apart from iftar feast, we were actually also attending the birthdays of two cute little sons of mas Khairul and mas Ismail. Mas Khairul (the only male visible in the picture) was the host of the occasion in the evening. 

Some mommies were busy pampering their babies in one room. 

While the Daddies were having their shares of their first iftar. Not enough space so..we got to split the occasion into two. 

We met at Mas Khairul's house @ Sangwolgok to have this dinner. 

It's one great evening to share.

Could not imagine that we managed to squeeze and jammed pack ourselves into this small room^^