Kyungho, Lotte World, and Baseball!

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Kyungho, one of my old students from about 3 years ago. He grew up so much! I almost didn't recognize him. Still, his manner of talking to me hasn't changed. In a way I was a little disappointed, because I had hoped he did some maturing over the last 3 years, but I was also so relived that it had stayed the same. I could joke with him and talk with him as if nothing had changed.

He's a man now!

We went out for lunch/dinner at a restaurant called Ashley Gill and Salad. The restaurant was quite fancy. There is a wine bar, where you can just choose a brand and a server will pour you a glass! (not that I had any... ^^) The food was pretty good. There was a steak option, but Kyungho and I both opted for the salad bar/buffet choice instead. The buffet was not something out of the ordinary, but it still tasted pretty good.

I was able to enjoy so many fruits and vegetables!! 

Afterwards, Kyungho and I walked around and did some shopping until we met up with Jennifer. The three of us did some more walking, then decided to watch a movie. We went to 홍대 and watched "The Dark Knight Rises." There were other movies we wanted to see but the tickets were already sold out. I enjoyed my second time of watching the movie. This time around, I was able to do some more analyzing from the beginning of the film, rather than just sit and take it all in as I did the first time through.

On Friday, many of us headed out to Lotte World!

뽀로로!!! The little girl just stayed there, so I included her in my picture ^^

"Coney Island, Miracle on miracle!!!"

"Hello! Welcome to Lotte World!"

Aren't they cute??!!

Tran needs some air!!

Walking around, I realized more and more not only that Korea was a very small country (compared to America, where the amusement parks seem to be endless) but also that Korean's were smart in how they fit so much in so little space. There were rides on top of rides. The indoor area has 4 floors with rides and attractions on each floor. This is so different compared to Six Flags and Disneyland and how everything seems to be just laid out on the ground.

We got to ride the Hot Air Balloon around Lotte World ^^

The view from the air balloon!!

We rode plenty of rides. We even did the bumper cars! It felt nice being able to steer, since I haven't had the opportunity for a month.
Walking around, I was so reminded of the drama 천국의 계단 (Stairway to Heaven).

It's just like in the drama!!!!

On Saturday, there was a baseball game: Lotte Giants vs Doosan Bears. Apparently it was a very important/big game. While the ball game was itself very entertaining, I think I had more fun watching the crowds. 

 At first, we were sitting in the Giants section, but because the sun was out and it was just so hot, we moved to the Bears section. In the back of the audience seats, people had set up for picnics! Everyone had brought blankets, tons of food, and lots of beer. It seemed as if those people were there not for the game, but just to hang out with their friends.

The audience environment/participation was so different compared to American baseball games (not that I can compare from first hand experience...) They were constantly chanting and singing. The teams had specific chants and songs for specific players! This really took me by surprise. 

Compared to the American baseball fields, the Korean fields seem to be much smaller. Perhaps this has to do with the level of athleticism and that American players can hit balls much farther than Korean players can. 

Still, there were some amazing plays.