114th Comic World

I heard from a teenager (Yep. let's start with that) that there was a "Comic Con" in Seoul. I thought that couldn't be right. If there was such thing as a Comic Con here I would have probably known before moving here and would have had my geek-out moment already. Turns out there is technically a convention, with comic and anime characters and cosplay and the works. It's called Comic World. I was stoked! I knew we had to go and started doing research like a crazy person, thinking it was once a year like regular Comic Con but I found out these are held every other month. Cool! The next one was right around the corner and I really wanted to go but I worried that we might not have the money for tickets or it might be already sold out. Wrong again. Tickets are only 4,000KRW (Less than four bucks!) and they were sold at the event. The hubs was my companion for this adventure, we took the subway to SETEC and as soon as we got off, there were teens getting dressed up right there in the station. We got out of the station and OMG... so. many. cosplayers.

I have to say that I am not really satisfied with these photos. I could have taken better shots if I hadn't been so shy. Or if I had brought a zoom lens. For some reason, I was terrified of approaching these people and taking their photo. It might have something to do with not speaking the same language but I just couldn't bring myself to ask them properly and have them pose like everyone else was doing. I was kinda riding on other people and getting next to someone else to get my shots. If I have a chance to go to another Comic World, I will make sure to learn the words for "May I take your photo, please?" and "I love your costume" in Korean. Maybe that will help me do better next time.

 The hubs got in line and got us tickets, while I shyly and quietly snapped a few photos. We went in and they had three rooms. Two of them had booths with all kinds of goodies and the middle one was where the "main event" was being held. I still don't know what the main event was but I know there was a singing contest involved in there somewhere. Unfortunately, photos of the merchandise weren't allowed, but there was a lot of stuff and so cheap too! Comic books, stickers, bags, coffee mugs, pins, notebooks, pencil cases, stationery, prints, postcards and everything in between. I wanted to buy everything! My little haul included an Alice in Wonderland pencil case, Wizard of Oz sticker, Alice in Wonderland buttons, Fairytale Postcard set, Fairytale print, the only comic book in English that I could find and a reusable shopping bag. There were so many other things I wanted to buy, but most of them were already sold out when I got to the booth. That's one of the reasons I want to go back, and get there early next time.

 I must confess that I don't know 80% of the characters that I saw around here. I recognized Naruto and One Piece and a few others, but most of them... no idea. I guess I haven't watched any new anime in a long, long time. We went to see the singing contest for a little bit but since we couldn't understand a thing we felt very dumb. It was at that moment that we realized that we were the only non-Asian people in there. Five minutes later we realized we were the only people over 21 there as well, besides a couple photographers I saw walking around. It felt a little weird but who cares, right?

 We went back outside for more photos and to admire more costumes. It's amazing the amount of work and detail they put into dressing up. They really go all out and I love it!

 These two shots are probably my favorite of the bunch... specially the girl in the blonde wig. She looked so cute!

 It was quite a fun day, and a new experience. I can't wait to find out when the next one is!

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Zayda

Umbrellas at Mecenatpolis

Mecenatpolis is a building/shopping center located close to Hapjeong station. My friend Marisa saw on Facebook that they had a colorful umbrella display there and we obviously had to go take photos of it! Victoria and Tracie were there too and we all started snapping away! Before we found the umbrellas, these fun sculptures caught our eye. The cats remind me of Alice in Wonderland.

 How appropriate to be shooting all of these umbrellas with Monsoon season right around the corner, right?

 I am a little bit upset with the white sky. I want to go back on a blue sky day and take better photos of these colorful umbrellas.

 This guy is the handle of my yellow umbrella! It was a present from Victoria. She knew I had been wanting a yellow umbrella (Because of HIMYM) for the longest time and surprised me with one... and seriously, umbrella + duck? How cute is that? I absolutely love it. I have the best friends in the world.

 And here I am pretending to be "The Mother" even though Ted can be a dork sometimes.

I had such a fun day with my girls, but that's a given when I am around them. Victoria and Tracie are leaving Seoul soon and I honestly have no words to describe the hole they will be leaving in my heart. In the meantime, I'll squeeze in as much time as I can with them while they're here and hope to meet them again in the future. 

More Information:
Directions: Hapjeong Station, Line 6, Exit 10.

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Zayda

The Flying Pan - Blue

Holy brunch, Batman, this place is awesome!

The first time I heard about The Flying Pan, I was instantly drawn to the name, and wanted to try it just because of it. The conversation went something like this:

That Guy: "And if you turn right, there's The Flying Pan."

Me: "The Frying Pan?"

That Guy "No, The Flying Pan"

Me: "Flying?" *makes flying movement with her arms* "Is that a mistake? Why would a pan fly?" 

That Guy: "I don't know. Anyway, they have good brunch." 

A few months after that, I finally visited the flying pan and I found it completely adorable that their logo is actually a pan with wings. I've been there three times ever since. I decided to combine two of those times in this blog so you can get a good look at quite a chunk of the menu and go try it too!

As it's usual in Korea, this place also have the cutest tiny details all over the place. I loved their Newspaper style menu and the mismatched chairs, their French feel and the way they presented the water.

 

 The Flying Pan can be a little pricey, but it's well worth it. For an every once in a while treat, it really is not too bad, specially because their portions have great sizes and will easily feed two if all you want is a light meal.

This is a whole new take on Brunch. The food is usually accompanied by spinach or other vegetables, and it never feels too greasy or too heavy. So, enough of chitchat, I bring you the food! The time I went with Mary, Gill, Mischa, Meg and Tracie, I ordered the Ham and Brie French Toast, which I thought was going to have ham and cheese on top, but it was instead stuffed with it, making it that much more amazing.

 This is another French Toast but I can't remember what this one is called. It's the one with orange anyway.

 Tracie ordered the Eggs Benedict - Ham. I ordered those too in one of my other visits and they are AMAZING. I actually got sad when my food was over. They are really, really good.

 Gill decided to go with a slice of Carrot Cake this time and she loved it. And she's pregnant, so you better believe her.

From a different visit, with Kaylynn and Lindsay here are some shots. I can't remember what this drink was that Lindsay ordered, but it sure looks delicious,

 Lindsay also had the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon, which are both delicious and healthy!

 Fatty old me couldn't go with healthy, no. I had to order the Bacon French Toast WITH a side of scrambled eggs, because I was really hungry. I kinda wished afterwards that I didn't have ordered the eggs, but I didn't think the French Toast was going to be so filling. Huge portions, people. Seriously.

 I couldn't help snapping a few more of this place's details. Too cute. I think the only bad thing that this place has is that the bathroom is not conveniently located. So pee at home before you go.

I have to say that my favorite little thing of this place was this reference to Alice In Wonderland. If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for Alice and well, this just made my day.

Besides brunch, The Flying Pan also offers sandwiches, soups and salads, and they also have a small dinner menu that looks just as good as their other stuff does. So if you're willing to spend a little more for great food, get yourself to The Flying Pan. You wont regret it. I am looking forward to trying their pancakes and crepes, because I have read they are also really good. I guess I need to cheat on my beloved French Toast every once in a while. The Flying Pan also has restaurants in Sinsa-dong (Flying Pan White) and Gangnam (Flying Pan Red) so I might visit one of those next time!

More Information:
Directions: Itaewon Station, Line 6, Exit 2. Turn left on the first alley, The Flying Pan will be on your right.
Pricing: Entrees range between 16,000KRW and 20,000KRW. Desserts between 6,500KRW and 8,000KRW
Read Lindsay's Experience here: http://rlcraboda.blogspot.kr/2013/04/the-flying-pan.html
Mischa also has some information here: http://norhymeorreason.weebly.com/1/post/2013/06/the-flying-pan-blue.html
and you can find Trish's take on this place, here: http://www.sixinseoul.com/10/post/2012/08/flying-pan-blue.html
Phone Number: 02-793-5285
Hours: They open at 10:30AM, no idea at what time they close!
Foreigner Friendly

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Zayda