Last-Minute Christmas Shopping In Seoul!

It's the my last weekend in Seoul before I fly to the tropics, and I still have a few errands to do. Luckily, Myeong-dong, where I think I need to get my pasalubong (presents) from, is just a bus ride from Hannam-dong.

But once you step into Myeong-dong, all these shops will tempt you with their bright Christmas lights, decorations and 'SALE' posters! Fortunately, I don't fall for those. I already have my shopping list and I know exactly where to go. Ha-ha-ha!

I guess some shoppers, who get mesmerized with all these 'SALE' signs plastered with blinking lights, just go into the shops and surrender their plastics, as if under a hypnotic spell, at the check-out counter with a shopping bag full of their own presents and memories of Christmas shopping in Myeong-dong. 

But for me, it's always practical to head to the duty-free shops since I would be flying out of the country anyway. The things I need are all there, and they got a sale, too! I just would have to remember to pick up my shopping items at the Incheon International Airport before I get on my flight home on Wednesday!

So, if you want to get hypnotized and mesmerized, while winterized, you know where to go!

JK's Jimi Hendrix Party!

Leave it to the energetic Ruth to plan her hubby's 50th birthday party.  Jean Keijdener (or JK as he's known to everyone), the country manager of Somerset Palace Seoul, celebrated his 50th birthday party with a tribute to his favorite artist, Jimi Hendrix! 

Ruth has been planning for this party for months and she was able to actually pull it off by inviting everyone to come in their Jimi Hendrix costumes! 

Me? I had to google Jimi Hendrix's photographs first before I could think of something to wear for the party. Luckily, I was able to find an afro-wig, which was actually the signature look for the night. As long as you have one on, you're in a Jimi Hendrix costume!

According to Wikipedia, Jimi Hendrix 'was an American musician and singer-songwriter, and was widely considered to have been the greatest electric guitarist in the history of popular music'. He died at 27 in 1970.

And everyone came in with their retro looks circa 1960s and 1970s. Looking at the photographs, it was indeed a fun night when everyone dressed up in colorful attires. It was all about fun, and fun we all had!

But tonight, only JK had a toy electric guitar as part of his costume, which he had to lend to the other guys when it was time to pick who can best play an air guitar.

And since everyone came in a costume, the celebrant had to give away prizes for the best male and female Jimi Hendrix costumes! 

Well, my costume wasn't good enough to win, but I was lucky to go home with a prize for the name-that-tune game with my partner, Vangi. I guess listening to all sorts of music since I was a kid paid off tonight. Ha-ha-ha! Thanks, Ruth! The Somerset tumbler prize would help me keep warm as I wait for the bus during the very chilly winter mornings. 

I'm not exactly sure if the food lined up at the buffet table were Jimi Hendrix's favorites, but he would have enjoyed the turkey, roast pork, creamy lasagna and other dishes, not to mention trays of desserts!

Well, JK's birthday party actually didn't end when most of his friends left. A few friends, including me, stayed behind and ended up chatting and reminiscing JK's life and career, and exchanging stories over cake, wine and a few more drinks, this time at their home. I think it was about 1AM when we all went home. His 50th birthday was over and JK had officially started his 51st year!

With his closest friends in Seoul around him on his birthday, JK was very happy to reach a milestone in his life. And with such caring wife and two lovely daughters that even Jimi Hendrix would have envied, JK is one very lucky man.

Happy birthday again, JK!

Loving The Tax-Free Shopping In Korea!

Every time I  fly home to the Philippines, I always try to remind myself to avail of the tax-refund benefits for the presents I need  buy. And this Global Blue Tax Free shopping service helps me save a few Korean won!

I tried it a few months back when I flew home during the summer time. And I was glad I availed of it! It was actually as easy as they said in their brochure; as easy as 1-2-3!

Here's how my tax-free experience went:

1. I bought a few items at a store in Myeong-dong, which has the Global Blue logo at their door. My purchase was above KRW30,000 and I was flying out of Korea within three months, which qualify me for the refund. After I paid, I then asked them for the Tax Free Form, which I then filled up. Filling up the form, by the way, requires your passport details. So, be sure you have it ready while shopping.

                                    (My stamped form)

2. At the Incheon International Airport, I went to the customs desk and had my Tax Free Form stamped after showing the items, my receipts and my passport. Since I was handcarrying the items, I went to the customs desk AFTER passing through the Immigration counter. This means I was already INSIDE the pre-departure area. This customs desk was close to Gate 28. But if you are putting the purchased items in your check-in luggage, I think you need to have these inspected BEFORE checking in your luggage.

3. Now, this is the best part: getting cash refund!

                                   (My cash refund!)

After I had my Tax Free Form stamped by the customs officer, I went to the Global Blue Customer Service counter where I surrendered my stamped form, and voila! The lady gave me my cash refund after inspecting my form and my passport!

And this weekend, as I go shopping for a few presents, I make sure I have my passport along with me. And maybe next time, I will write again about this happy tax-free shopping experience in Korea!

          (Picking up my other items from a duty-free shop)

Finding A Christmas Costume in Dongmyo Station!

It's the time of the year again when we hold our Christmas party in Seoul. And as tradition, we assign a theme to our parties to make them more fun!

Last Christmas, I was lucky to have been able to find a costume at Namdaemun Market. Last year's Christmas party theme was 'Cirque de Soleil'. 

But this year, our Christmas party hosts, Joy and Archie, suggested a new theme: 'Wear your Christmas carol'! Our costumes should be based on a Christmas carol. Well, there are easy ones, and there are hard ones. Either way, we all had to find costumes.

So, off I rushed to the Dongmyo Station, where, upon getting out at its Exit 6, I turned right at an alley and discovered  rows and rows of costume shops, Christmas decors and toy stores for kids! From wigs to swords, to headdresses to masks! I think this place is the best place in Seoul to find costumes! 

And I was right! Even if it was a Sunday, when some shops were closed, I was able to find myself what I wanted on the first store! For KRW10,000, I got me something for my costume! 

After that, I was curious to cross the other side of the street, at the corner of Exit 5 of Dongmyo Station, where another alley is full of shops selling second-hand items: from leather jackets, to bags, to shoes, to books and collectable items. This is like Seoul's version of 'ukay-ukay'.

I just wandered through the shops, which, surprisingly, was full of shoppers, who were looking for a good buy, too. I didn't have any intention to buy anything here, but when I stumbled upon a Korean lady selling some winter items, an idea came up! Lying on the freezing sidewalk was a neck-warmer! Perfect for my costume! 

I immediately asked her how much it was. KRW10,000 for a fur neck-warmer! (Sorry, PETA! It's just a costume.) I may not have any use for it after the Christmas party, but this second-hand item will just help me get into a Christmas party mood! She must have noticed her customer's fake Korean accent and his limited hangeul; she asked where I was from. Ha-ha-ha!

I would have wanted to walk further up and discover more of this place, but it was getting colder. So, off I rushed back to the Dongmyo Station with my Christmas costumes and an idea where to find things like those next time. 

So, what's your Christmas party theme?