Dilapidated Train @ Children Grand Park

It's the first time ever we went to Children Grand Park via its rear entrance. We usually visit this place through the main gate, so when we went there and found out that the rear entrance offered something else...I felt elated. 

One of the things was that there was this dilapidated (well, not really) or worn out train used in the 1950's. The fact that the train (locomotive and its compartments) is placed just like that...seemed to be unbelievable. The corroded machine due to the changing weather must have taken effect onto it, though. 

well, ..that's what makes it even more tempting to look at.  

What a great way to look at this old train, right? 

The old and worn out train seemed too cool to overlook. 

so. I dared myself to get on top of it.

I didn't see any sign of 'no trespassing' or any sort of warning..so I might as well get on it.^^ oops. 

I love trains so much that I couldn't help myself not to jump and sit on it:)

sorrrrryyyyyyyyyy. But I didn't do any harm, swear. 

okay, let's go, gals.

Sorry to have made you wait...^^

Passing through the Plant

what plant? it's a sewage management facility plant  near Hangang River.

Well, it was taken after we had Freya's first on-stage performance with her classmates in one of the auditorium within this facility complex.

So, you're still chewing your lollipop, Freya?

The Seemingly Remaining + Intact + Untouched Autumn (part 3)

naaaa....there's no such thing as an untouched autumn right here in Seoul.

People spoiled it...and we did, too. 

I am exaggerating the fact that what we saw is actually a small portion of the park where these trees happened to be so meticulously planted in a such a way that they look like something like this.  

The blue sky? Well, yes..it's blue...

the orange color of the trees? well, camera did the trick.  

 

This is what it really looked like in a broad daylight.

cars parked next to it. The pale yellow color of the trees started to turn more pale than ever...which in turn ...fall into the ground....in the coming winter.

Coming winter? it IS winter already.

so...if it IS winter, then these trees are the living proof that they are at least 'remaining' and somewhat 'intact' although not necessarily 'untouched':-)

The Seemingly Remaining + Intact + Untouched Autumn (part 2)

 

Why not the best advantage of being in the seemingly untouched autumn??ㅋㅋㅋ 

and that's exactly what we did.

People seemed to not care about the existence of the line up of trees right here.

but we DID. 

Although once again, it is right in the middle of Sewage Management Facility, the view was not-to-be-missed.

The Seemingly Remaining + Intact + Untouched Autumn (part 1)

untouched? well, now it's not.

because we came!!! 

Yes, after a celebration at Freya's show, we were lucky to have a chance to be in the place like this. I can't believe that the line up of trees like this is located within the complex of sewage management facility:) 

well, it's a proof that the facility does function well.
Even trees like this live 'happily' even within the complex. 

What a great afternoon to spend. 

Mom and their kids after the show. 

This is something that would always remind us how lucky we are to have friends in Korea. 

They're so helpful in making us feel home.

Yes..and simply being together like this makes us feel welcome. 

So, kids...did you have a great time? 

I am sure they did.

Freya: Post-Show Photo Session

We finished witnessing Freya's stage performance with other kids from her kindergarten.

Since the school needed huge enough auditorium to accommodate the families, they borrowed a hall at Sewage Management Facility--(Don't ask me how we ended up using this place). But the auditorium was great, though. 

Smile!! Now, it's a picture session with Daddy. 

What about with class-teacher! 

Yes, with her class-teacher, the girls of 강반 had an-after-show picture session.

Thank you, sonsaengnim for having taught us for this semester.

Freya's Kindergarten Show on Stage

Finally, the day she's been waiting for.....arrived. She's on stage with her fellow classmates singing and dancing on the day of talent show for kids. Hai, Freya..you did a good job. 

The auditorium was full of parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and of course teachers of Freya's kindergarten.

The curtain's opening up... 

and there they are! All classes (강, 바다 반) gathered up on stage and sing a song together .....along with their cute and happy faces. 

Freya, go girl. 

The song is in Korean, of course. 

Seeing her sing a Korean song with a group of friends is an

 amazing acknowledgement in itself.

젊음의 거리 (Street of Youth)

Hmm, we're going back home after watching the lantern festival and decided to take a different route while trying to find a subway station. 

We ended up bumping into this so called 'street of youth'

located in Jongno area, I got no idea of what's inside.

and.. 

the first thing we found was a row of street vendors ( I am sure they're officially relocated there) that characterize the 500-meter-long street. 

Called 'Pojangmaja' in Korean, I think it's a cool way to experience the outdoor eatery in the makeshift-like tents--which are covered in plastic in Winter like this. I am sure it's effective to ward off the cold or...to trap the heat inside so as to make it warm. 

and we're walking down the street ... 

with brightly lit neon signs that typify most of Korean streets. 

"oops, something just dropped down right in front of 'DOWN town' shop.

what a coincidence!!

Seoul Lantern Festival 2013 (part 3): Multicultural Bridge

We bumped into a huge ball of light cover with rags or colorful patterns symbolizing the changing society in Korea. 

I think it's made to remind people here (in Korea or in Seoul particulary) that the society is changing into a diverse one. 

HUG ME.

and she did. 

The Ball is placed right in the middle of a bridge over cheonggyecheon where the lantern festival was held. 

This is a zoomed version of multicultural bridge. All panels are covered in these colorful patterns. 

Another look at how multicultural bridge. 

So, how's your day, Eyra? 

I hope you had a great time.

Now, let's go home...

Seoul Lantern Festival 2013 (part 2)

The last lantern we saw as far as we could go. There were too MUCH people. (not many:-)...so "much" that we decided to stop walking. :)

Then, as soon as we got out of the cheonggecheon stream, we bumped into some stands where we could participate in kid-friendly activities. 

Balloon-inside-balloon. 

Or lighted butterflies... 

Or plain ornaments or lanterns with painting on them. 

Eyra decided to take a 2,000 Won worth of decorating heart-shaped light. 

While Freya chose a lantern-decorating activity. 

She's happy that I let her choose what she wanted to. 

I wonder what she was writing... 

Are you done? 

Oh This is what she wrote.

엄마 아빠 사랑해. 

Thank you, Eyra. 

Freya's busy pasting the cut-paste of all shapes onto the lantern. 

It's a great outdoor activity though it was cold. 

Although it's like 9.30 pm...but... 

More and more kids came in to start decorating their lantern.

Well, with 5,000 Won for one lantern,

Freya made (read: decorate) a lantern of her own.