February 4, 2005
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Day 1, ahhhhh....
THERE'S A PLACE THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS GOOO.... SONGTAN!: Yesterday I got to spend my day enjoying the lush vibrant life that is Songtan. Its one of my favorite places to go when I need to get away from Taejon. Its right next to the front gate to the US military base so with the presence of so many other Americans it can cure anyone's craving for some "Americana". Its basically a main street with side streets branching off. It also has the illustrious black market section hosting a variety of such forbidden products such as: Kool Aide, Cake frosting, tons of chocolate, various toiletry products... all this that you can't find in Korean stores. Though I have to warn you, when shopping for mac & cheese... be very "kraft-y"
Main shopping street in Songtan, notice all the junk for sale, but cool just to walk through and fight off the bothersome sellers trying to get you to buy their stuff
I usually visit Songtan by myself but the plan that day was to allow Ted to go on base and buy alot of snacks for the dorm students to purchase in the dorm store. Meanwhile Sally and Tiece came along, I showed them a couple stores and then they were off doing their thang.
Ediya Expresso: Not a Starbucks but reasonably priced. [3 out of 3 RAs agree]
If you've ever seen in the movies where the small-time Asian gangs meet to orchestrate their "business"... this ain't it.. most likely.. however this is where the blackmarket is, it does take time to search for them... usually it involves walking past the stinky fish and equally stinky squid products.
In case you desire a trip to Songtan, there's this great little Thai restaraunt [3 blocks down from the gate, on the left, second story] that serves authentic Thai food (duh), but I strongly suggest the pad-thai *mmm*. Funny story about my first experience with pad-thai, but that is for another time. Great trip, look forward to the next one.
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Will
Comments (10)
hehehe... you're welcome to have them, my friend.
Cool pictures! Do you want me to link you into the challenge? I am going to Seoul for the first time tomorrow. I am really excited.
As for the photo challenge, it's a blog I joined a while ago. Different people take turns coming up with the idea of what to take pictures of and this week is my week. I am "hosting" It has been quite cool because there are a few people in Europe as well as the US and lil ole me in Korea so the pictures come out looking really different. It helps me get out my creativity since my kids only want to squash it.
How long does it take to get to Songtan from Daejeon? Train or bus? And the links were hilarious, thanks... Let's definitely get together for coffee this week, I have everyday off except friday.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it. We have a small Thai restaurant in Jeonju, and they make awesome Panaeng Gai, but their Pad Thai is a little bit lacking.
Did you say kool-aid???????
Eeeeee!!!
I'm on the next bus!!!
Well, maybe not.
But soon!
Ok, sounds good.
I was still in and out of bed at 5:30pm isn't that what saturdays are for??
I am going to Seoul tomorrow and after that I don't really know. Just taking it one day at a time
Hey there... I was just surfing through and immediately recognized that picture of the Songton strip. Your descriptions have me cracking up. I'll be back, stomping my feet in that area and running around S Korea this July. Enjoy Lunar Break and have fun!
Yeah, I'll be back in Korean Tijuana, Osan Air Base/Songton, once again. I usually don't stick around the US bases too much. Bases, comprised mostly of guys with nothing to do + cheap alcohol = too much drama. People like that ruin it for the rest of us, making american look ugly. But it's still fun. See? Your site made me hungry for Thai food.
thanks so much for your advice! i appreciate it. and i'll see if i can find that book, too.
Hey! /i must admit, that when you said you went and had pad thai...I smiled and thought...I'm so proud of you for not getting a cheeseburger!
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