Jessica Zafra's Blog, page 317

Nothing but spectacles

At Dongdaemun in Seoul the markets are like Extreme Divisoria, only clean, organized, specialized. There are shops that sell nothing but neckties, shops that do only hats, and shops that have only eyeglass frames as far as the eye can see. The going rate for unbranded spectacles is about USD10 (Php440). Didn't do much shopping [...]

Korea, where the streets have no English

Ansan metro station If your mother tongue is English you have certain expectations. You assume that when you travel you can make yourself understood. Surely there is always someone out there who can translate for us. Maybe if we spoke louder and more slowly? Dash that expectation: you're in Korea. There are signs written in [...]

Best Philippine Players at A5N Korea: Hitch, Coveney, Holgate

Philippine men's rugby coach Expo Mejia has announced that the Best Philippine Player of the A5N Tournament is Gareth Holgate. From Korea Gaz flew to Fukuoka, Japan where he is starting his professional contract with the club Kyuden Voltex. Philippine Volcanoes captain Michael Letts will also fly to Japan in a few weeks, having signed [...]

Best Philippine Players at A5N Korea Cited

National men's rugby coach Expo Mejia has announced that the Best Philippine Player of the A5N Tournament is Gareth Holgate. Congratulations, Gaz! Chris Hitch was named Best Forward and Justin Coveney the Best Back. From Korea Gaz flew to Fukuoka, Japan where he is starting his professional contract with the club Kyuden Voltex. Philippine Volcanoes [...]

Liveblog: Philippines vs Malaysia at A5N. NOW. (The videos are up!)

The third place match between the Philippines and Malaysia is in the main field at Ansan Wa~ Stadium, and journalists cover the game from the Commentary Box upstairs. I thought the media tent in the auxiliary field was something. This is something. It's next to the VIP Box and I have the entire place to [...]

Liveblog: Philippines vs Malaysia at A5N. NOW.

The third place match between the Philippines and Malaysia is in the main field at Ansan Wa~ Stadium, and journalists cover the game from the Commentary Box upstairs. I thought the media tent in the auxiliary field was something. This is something. It's next to the VIP Box and I have the entire place to [...]

Roger!!! The Fed stops the Djoker

Photo from tennis.com. Novak Djokovic was looking unstoppable. 43-match streak, not a single loss this year, easy wins over the toughest opponents, the number one ranking and Roland Garros his for the taking. You forgot Roger Federer. The Master snapped Djoker's streak in four sets, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5). It was gargantuan, that's [...]

Liveblog of Philippines vs Malaysia at A5N starts at 1230 (1130 Manila time)

Ansan Wa~ Stadium, the main field. What's at stake: Staying in Division 1. The loser gets relegated to Division 2. This is a must-win. See you.

Coffee shop tour of Korea

It's easier to score a good cup of coffee in Ansan and Seoul than anywhere I've ever been, and that includes Italy. Down the street from the hotel is Paris Baguette, which serves French pastry, croquettes, and coffee. (Kind of like Bread Talk but not as fluffy.) The tables are upstairs. The wi-fi comes and [...]

We have a business model!

Went to Seoul today to take a break from the peace and quiet of Ansan. Anne, whom I met at the game, was kind enough to show me around her adopted city. We were walking around Gangnam, the central business district, when we saw this. If there's anything that will stop me in my tracks [...]