Anyong Haseyo!

My first week in Korea was spent in Daegu with my dad and his family. I actually went to elementary school in Daegu many moons ago when my dad was stationed at the Army base here — it’s an understatement to say this place has changed. As I type this, I’m using the free Wi-Fi at the base bowling alley — the same place I spent every Friday night as a kid while my parents bowled in the team league.

So the first 2 days here were pretty good weather-wise – I even joined my dad for a game of golf. Uhhh, yeah I’ll never be doing that again…I’ll stick to the Wii version where I don’t suck as much and am not a total embarrassment to the sport .  Then came the nonstop rain…beginning on the day that we were heading to Jinhae for its famous cherry blossom trees. Rain aside, the trees were actually not quite in bloom yet so we kept trucking along to Haeundae Beach in Busan (my birthplace! ).

Haeundae Beach on a gray and gloomy day. Normally this place is absolutely stunning.

After a quick stroll on the beach, we made our way over to the little food tents near the visitor center. This sweet little ajuma hooked us up with some delicacies, including a variety of steamed snails and o-deng (fish cakes) – yummmmo!

One of the many food tents at Haeundae Beach

Some steamed snails. And in the farthest bucket, some steame bugs...I wasn't brave enough to give those a whirl haha

Dried ojinguh (squid) and juipo (fish "jerky")

Little bro and I enjoying some o-deng and steamed snails - YUM!

Washed everything down with my fave Korean soft drink - Chilsung Cider

We also did quite a bit of cooking at home. We had a seafood night, a Filipino night and Dad even BBQ’d up his famous ribs (I know, it’s not Korean food, but it’s amazing and I hadn’t had it in ages ).

The awesome spread from Seafood Night at home. Steamed mussels, snails, squid and sashimi

My dad named him "Fred." Fred was delicious!

My first time trying Filipino food - chicken adobo and pancit (noodles)

Delicious Filipino crab & corn soup

I’m in Daegu for 2 more days before I head up north to Seoul to spend the next week with my mom. We’ll be out hiking Mt. Sorak, eating lots n’ lots of Korean food, drinking lots n’ lots of wine (and maybe soju!) and having a pamper day at the spa. Stay tuned for recap #2 later.