The skies are blue, the sun is out, and the birds are enjoying spring, too!
Alongside the bikers, runners and occasional strollers, the pigeons are also enjoying a cool spring day along the Han River in Seoul. While the temperatures are perfect for a day under the sun, these birds remind everyone (including me!) that these days are not wasted in bed. Ha-ha-ha!
Thanks to these birds of the Han River flocking together. We have our photo of the day.
(The celebration at the re-opening of
the Gymnasium)
The first time I visited Jangchung Gymnasium was to watch the Korean Badminton Open years ago. Being a recreational badminton player, I was thrilled to see in action the former world badminton champion and men's singles gold medalist at the Athens Olympics, Taufik Hidayat. Taufik was playing that night and he was accommodating when I asked him to have a selfie with me after he won his match. I also saw him do his most feared backhand smash from the back of the court. Scary!
And over the years, when the Korea Badminton Open was held at Jangchung Gymnasium, I would always make sure I watched some matches. And on another visit, I met Lin Dan, also a world champion and the men's singles gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. I was surprised after shaking his hand; it was very soft! I thought badminton players, like tennis players, would have rough hands from handling racquets.
On the same day, I met another Olympic champion. Lee Yong-dae, the poster boy of Korean badminton, was the mixed doubles champion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was very friendly when I asked for a photo with me. And this time, I wasn't surprised that his right hand, too, was soft! Even my tennis friend Seung-ho, who joined me that day, was also surprised at the soft hands of these famous badminton players. Maybe, we should switch to another racquet sports. Ha-ha-ha!
(The former Olympic Committee president
Juan Antonio Samaranch at a basketball event)
These are my memorable visits to Jangchung Gymnasium, which opened on January 2,1963, and was completed with the help of some engineers from the Philippines.
It was the venue for the 1968 Miss Korea Beauty Pageant, and it hosted the judo and the taekwondo competitions of the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. Over the years, it also hosted basketball, volleyball, Korean wrestling and other sporting events.
Jangchung Gymnasium was Korea's first domed sports arena. It temporarily closed in 2014 for renovation and re-opened in January 2015 with a celebration to show off its new facilities. I have no idea about the current sporting events the Gymnasium is hosting as its website is in Korean. But I have a feeling that, since it's been newly renovated, more events will take up most of its calendar.
(Namsan can be viewed at a different angle
from Jangchung Gymnasium)
So, if you're interested to watch some sports competitions, and perhaps, also meet some famous athletes, Jangchung Gymnasium is accessible from Exit 5 of Dongguk University Station (Line 3), and is right next to Shilla Hotel.
By the way, my favorite bakery in Seoul, Taegukdang, is on Exit 2 of the same station, in case you crave for some baked goods after.
(From afar, the dome makes the Gymnasium
look like a giant rice cooker)
While I woke up late here in Seoul to the movie Gladiator showing on TV, millions of my Filipinos back at home have already started their Sunday early to prepare to watch the so-called 'fight of the century' (although it's just 2015!). But unlike Russel Crowe and his men in Gladiator, where they were willing to die for their freedom, today's boxers were willing to bleed for millions of dollars.
(Standing room only)
And while here in Korea, I was watching the fight being broadcast by a local channel, back at my hometown, thousands gathered at the city plaza to watch the fight at the big screen and cheer for their local hero. The pictures shared by my sister Salud showed scenes more festive than a town fiesta and attendance that would rival that of a Palm Sunday mass. This was how popular the fight was.
(Filipinos lining up around the plaza
to watch the fight on the big screen)
Unfortunately, the fight ended with the winner not being the one everyone was cheering for. Instead, the winner was booed by some audience members at the arena while bragging about his victory on stage, and I could just imagine the volume of boos and jeers echoing around the city plaza when Mayweather was finally declared the winner.
(Fans on the roof)
And unlike the thousands who gathered at my hometown's plaza, there were less pinoys at the Filipino market in Hyewha-dong in the Jongno District in Seoul today. According to my favorite vendor, Junila, most pinoys would rather watch the fight at home together with their fellow pinoys. Too bad, Manny Pacquiao didn't win. And if I could give his fans some consolation, I'd like to share my banana-cues from Junila. They're sweet, yummy, and, unlike those boxing tickets, they don't cost thousands of dollars.
(Junila's banana-cues are the best in Seoul!)
PS. Thanks to my sister for the plaza pictures and to Junila for the banana-cues.
As I made my way to the bus stop from Myeongdong Cathedral today, I saw the Labor Day march passing through Euljiro area on its way to Jongno.
Traffic was at a standstill, which meant there wouldn't be any bus passing my way until the whole march passed. And although I could have taken the subway instead, I decided to stay put to watch the thousands of workers who were making their voices heard on the causes they believe and are fighting for.
The bus I was waiting for arrived after 30 minutes when the march finally passed and the traffic flowed again. My long wait was nothing compared to what these workers were doing. They walked for kilometers just to let their voices heard for anyone who wanted to listen. Or watch.
I join all workers today, both here and everywhere else, in the celebration and observance of the International Workers' Day.
In a way, I joined that march today, too.
If you're roaming around Samcheong-dong in the Jongno District in Seoul, you'll probably end up strolling through this alley on your way to Insa-dong; or perhaps, if you're walking from Insa-dong on your way to Samcheong-dong.
At the alley that cuts through the Deokseong Girls High School, you'll find a few street performers entertaining passers-by, and a few street art painted on the wall.
And this one always catches everyone's eye. An old couple sharing a kiss like teenagers, as if time stood still for them.
Whoever painted this, thanks to you, we have our photo and our kiss (!) of the day.
They start bringing in their carts in the afternoon. And one by one, they start preparing, frying, cooking, and finally, they're serving!
Yes, serving everyone who wants to enjoy!
I'm talking about the food carts in Myeongdong, Seoul, where, in the middle of the main alley and in front of the cosmetic shops and clothes stores, shoppers and tourists jump from one cart to another trying to decide which of the snacks, sweets, or desserts on display they want to try.
Last year, I was in Myeongdong one early morning to meet up with friends, Joy and Miggy, before they went to hear Mass at the cathedral. Since shops were still closed, it was eerily weird to see Myeongdong so quiet and empty.
But on this afternoon, it is back to what it does most: attract thousands into its labyrinth of alleys to shop, spent, enjoy, and eat! Myeongdong isn't only about shopping for cosmetics and clothes, it's also a place to eat!
You need not remember the names of these snacks and desserts; you only need to remember how yummy they were! If you have tasted them before, I am sure you can pick the ones you enjoyed from these photos.
And for those who haven't tasted them all, you can always visit Myeongdong any afternoon, and walk up and down the alleys and pick the street food you want to try this time.
And for those who haven't yet, let these photographs give you a tour of Myeongdong's street food alley!
(This strawberry stall caught my eye)
(And I got me one of the cups filled with strawberries)
(Got my strawberries coated with chocolate!)
Bathed in the afternoon sunlight and breathing the cool spring air, Nam-san (Mt. Nam) captured my attention as I was crossing a pedestrian lane in the Yongsan District in Seoul.
With my eyes following the direction of the lanes towards the mountain with NSeoul Tower conquering its peak and with the blue skies as their background, I just had to snap a picture while I crossed. Luckily, there wasn't any colored bus or car near my perspective to ruin the composition. It was only the mountain and its tower being squeezed in by the tall buildings along the road.
So, with the mountain and its hikers already enjoying spring, and with the sunny days ahead, this photo seems to be wishing everyone a happy weekend!
