Matador Network's Blog, page 1441
November 30, 2017
Walking tour of Reykjavik
Reykjavík is not particularly pedestrian-friendly beyond the downtown area (aka 101). Most Icelanders get around by car, and though there is a bus system, it isn’t terribly extensive. For this reason, a one-day walking tour of the city is best experienced within the 101 area, where you can get a little bit of nature and have a whole lot of fun without needing to decipher bus routes or having to hitchhike.
Reykjavík is an eclectic, colorful city with a downtown area that is the perfect size for a walking tour; you’ll be able to see everything that you’d want to in just a day.
Starting point: Hallgrímskirkja Church
Photo: Ferdinand Stöhr
Arizona is more than desert
I used to think Arizona was just sand. Then I had the chance to take a car from Las Vegas to Mesa for a quick road trip and discovered there is so much more. I was easily reminded where I was by the iconic Saguaro cacti sprinkled along the terrain. Mesa holds one of the world’s most diverse desert wildlife with over 3,000 different plant species. That was a hard fact to believe when it averages only about 8-inches of rainfall per year. Mesa alone is home to 22 different Native American tribes and has a deep-rooted history of mining during the wild-west, which makes it a center of unique cultural and natural experiences to explore. Check out the images from my road trip and see for yourself. 
1
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is obvious but cannot be skipped. I figured it was big but I was taken aback by the scale of it all. Taking one of the less popular trails, Cedar Ridge, with a series of winding switchbacks got me close to the vegetation, animal life, and the changing colors as the sun moved through the sky.
2
Dude ranches
Dude ranches are specifically geared toward visitors experiencing ranch life, like a western themed resort. Many people at Ranchos de los Cabelleros were with their families to escape city life. Standard attire for the dining room was a cowboy vest and a true western bola tie.
3
Bygone main streets
Route 66 was one of the first roads built for the American highway system. The town of Williams appears to be a relic holding ground for everything from the 1920s. I couldn’t walk down a single street or alley without seeing “Route 66” plastered on a street sign or store window. Kitschy, yes, but that doesn’t take away from the thrill of driving the actual route. Put the windows down and turn up the radio, already.
Intermission
Trip Planning
11 awesome itineraries for your trip through the Alps
Jacqueline Kehoe
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Trip Planning
35 of the world’s best places to travel in 2017
Matador Team
Galleries
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Jordan Hammond
4
Western education
I was in a bit of a rush to really soak in western life before hitting the cities, so a trip to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum was my best bet. The artwork was a “boot and collar” heritage that’s instilled in Arizona culture.
5
Horses
I arrived to Mesa and immediately got on a horse, because that seems to be what you do in Mesa. Each horse had their own personality, and I had the pleasure of riding “Snowman,” who needed a bit more convincing to move forward than the rest.
6
Trails
I dismounted horses and got on a bike next. I took on the trails at Usery Mountain Regional Park with Arizona Outback Adventures. Desert trails are much different than other trails since a layer of gravel rock sits on top of the hard surface below. I had a few spills, but luckily avoided cactus plants.
7
Kayaking
So this whole time I’m thinking of deserts and dude ranches when it turns out there’s a whole system of lakes and rivers that make up the Lower Salt River Recreation Area in Tonto National Forest. Our guide, Lindsay, took us through a leisurely paddle down level 1 rapids just as the sun was setting along the river.
8
Mexican food
I was burning the candle from both ends on this trip, so I didn’t feel bad about chowing down on a few tacos and burritos. There’s a great food scene in metropolitan areas of Arizona, and it’s a great way to get social too. Try on a Hacienda de Rosa’s for size - if you’re hungry enough.
9
Goat yoga
It is exactly what it sounds like: yoga alongside goats. Downward dog becomes much more difficult when you have a grazing animal on your back, but their hooves offered just enough pressure for a simultaneous back massage. Turns out, Arizona Goat Yoga is the largest Goat Yoga experience in the world. Why do it? Hardcore advocates say that yoga outside with animals is good for the soul on a whole other level, others say it’s just fun to have a goat climb your back or snuggle up mid-pose.
Intermission
Culture Guides
7 things Alaskans are total snobs about
Kaitlin Armstrong
Infographics
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Henry Miller
Parks + Wilderness
15 images of Wyoming that will get you psyched for winter
Jacqueline Kehoe
in partnership with
10
Saloons
I made my way to Goldfield Ghost Town, a reproduction of a western gold-mining town that includes its own underground mine tour, daily gunfights, and a genuine saloon featuring Cowboy Dan, a patriotic cowboy who has a sixth sense for a glass that needs topping off.
11
Steamboats
Canyon Lake is a man-made lake that’s only a short drive from the city. The Dolly Steamboat took me and a throng of visitors around the shoreline to watch the colorful rock faces glide by with a few wild goats grazing amongst the cliffs.
12
Hummers
Stellar Adventures picked me up in a Hummer H1, a near copy of the military-grade M998 Humvee. I suddenly found myself on a roller coaster ride down old mining trails as the sun began to set.
13
The Sunset State
I witnessed why Arizona is known for its magical sunsets. It seemed like the light was fighting to stay in the sky as it slowly creeped away over the horizon. Colors changed in a way that spoke true to the land with a glowing red that resisted fading. I left Arizona already planning a return trip: there’s a lot more here than I ever would have guessed and I can’t wait to explore it more.
All photos are the author’s.
Visit Mesa sponsored this trip.
More like this: 9 awesome experiences to have in Arizona before you die
Ultimate Spain rail adventure
The train coasted into the small border town of Irun, in the northeast of Spain, sometime after 6 PM. Outside it was cold and pouring rain. Commuters scattered for cover, most holding limp bags above their heads to shield themselves from the downpour as they hopped growing puddles towards taxis waiting outside in the gloom.
Inside, the station was eerily quiet. A dreadlocked, barefoot traveler with an unstrung electric guitar at his feet rolled a cigarette on the knee of his tattered jeans with a focus that suggested it was the most important thing he’d done all year. A broken vending machine, closed ticketing windows, and an empty station platform did not bode well for the first stretch into Spanish territory by train.
1
San Sebastian
The storm from Irun followed me into the heart of Basque country, and for the next day I hunkered down in the idyllic coastal city of San Sebastian. Even beneath the heavy clouds, San Sebastian exuded the energy and quiet confidence of a city that knows it has very little to prove to the outside world.
2
Pamplona
Outside of the famous running of the bulls and the festival of San Fermin, Pamplona is a relatively sedate little town on a hill. At night, tapas bars still flow out onto the narrow cobbled streets, and there’s a vibrant, palpable energy, but Hemingwayesque drinking and debauchery takes a bit more seeking out. When you consider the tranquil alleyways, the panoramic views hiding at the end of them, and the clear head that allows you to fully appreciate all of these, it might just be better this way.
3
Barcelona
Barcelona is so diverse and chaotic and painfully photogenic that at times it’s easy to get caught up with life behind the viewfinder and never really absorb this beautiful city. After a long day of sightseeing, I pulled up a chair on the small balcony of my Airbnb in the El Poble-sec district and listened to the sounds of the pedestrian streets floating up to the fourth floor. I looked into the distance to notice the iconic red port cable car floating quietly by in the distance and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
Intermission
Parks + Wilderness
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Jacqueline Kehoe
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Travel Safety
How to not get robbed in Barcelona
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Galleries
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Kate Siobhan Mulligan
4
Valencia
Valencia is a quick and easy coastal train ride away from Barcelona, yet it feels like another world. With its Blue Flag beaches, a vast converted riverbed park, and a slew of famous museums at its end, it’s easy to get caught up in attractions. But the best thing to do in this Spanish port town is to forget the to-do list and get lost amongst the grand architecture on its regal main streets and quiet back alleys.
5
Madrid
The Spanish capital is a difficult city in which to fully immerse as a lone outsider. Madrid’s famous art, in various noteworthy museums, vast 19th-century park, almost too perfect Plaza Mayor, student-dominated streets of Malasaña, and endless mix of thoroughly authentic and suspiciously touristy restaurants can soak up days before you even get to know the city. But it was an unexpected view of the Royal Palace during an aimless walk on a quiet autumn morning that helped to put much of its beauty into perspective.
6
Granada
Embarrassingly, I knew little of Granada’s Alhambra prior to my arrival in the town. I’d been taken by the name, and its convenience in my haphazard rail journey across the country, but it wasn’t until another guest in the dimly-lit Airbnb apartment looked at me with astonishment that I began to consider it. “You can’t come to Granada and not visit the Alhambra,” she said with polite disgust. It turns out she was right - the intricate interiors of the Alhambra and its perfectly manicured gardens will forever be etched into my memory. But it was the sunset view from the hill opposite on my last evening that left me in total awe of this architectural marvel.
7
Ronda
I went to Ronda on recommendation of my mother. “It’s a quaint little town,” she said. “I think there’s a bullring and a stone bridge.” Or something to that effect. It was a relatively weak endorsement, but there was a train to the town and it was kind of on my route, so I went anyway. Indeed there is an impressive stone bridge, and it is home to the oldest bullring in Spain, but there are also epic walks down into the scenic valley. Early one morning I set out along the train tracks and walked for a dozen kilometers through remote villages, past small subsistence farms, across sketchy bridges, and eventually found an enticing lake sheltered by autumnal trees.
8
Seville
There’s a uniqueness to Seville that I can’t put my finger on that makes it feel unlike any other city I’ve been to in Spain. Sure, there are the usual tapas bars and cathedrals and regal parks, gardens and palaces, but then you walk down orange-tree lined avenues, or across a structure like Plaza de España or Metropol Parasol, and it feels as if you’ve accidentally stumbled onto a giant movie set of sorts.
9
Cádiz
Cádiz, on the southwestern coast of Spain, was my last stop in the country before I hopped on a bus and crossed the border into Portugal. Admittedly the main reason for my journey to this small port city was because some claim it to be the oldest in Europe. But the sedate mid-week pace, whitewashed houses, Spanish-only tapas bars, and panoramic views from tourist-free bell towers had me wishing I had allocated more than just a few hours to this corner of the country.
All photos are the author’s.
More like this: 11 food experiences you should have in Spain before you die
Top winter city? Leavenworth, WA
When it comes to holiday celebrations, few cities hold a candle to Leavenworth. Visiting the Bavarian-themed village during winter is like stepping inside your favorite holiday storybook: Snowflakes swirl, the scent of roasting chestnuts is the air, carolers stroll the streets, and the city literally glows thanks to thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights.
If you prefer adventure to holiday nostalgia, awesome winter activities are everywhere as well. Strap on snowshoes to explore miles of trails, hit the slopes for downhill skiing, or try your hand at snowmobiling. If you get chilly, warm up with a cup of hot mulled wine, a plate of cheesy fondue, and a roaring fire. Take in a concert, browse one of the world’s largest nutcracker collections, and shop for gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
Check out the ideas and photos below, and a trip here might make it to the top of your holiday wishlist this year.
The dazzling light display is seriously next level.
Photo: Brian Munoz
Leavenworth’s aesthetic stands out any time of year, what with its brick-paved streets, traditional Bavarian architecture, and alpine setting — remember, this is an American city we’re talking about — but add half a million twinkling lights to the equation, and there are no words. The incredible display kicks off Thanksgiving weekend, the first of three weekend Christmas Lighting Festivals, when Leavenworth officially becomes the Village of Lights. No need to rush, though — the city remains lit up seven days a week, all winter long, through Valentine’s Day weekend.
Exploring the rugged backcountry is even more fun in the snow.
Photo: Shane Wilder / Icicle TV
Snow isn’t meant for looking at. Trekking through fresh powder on snowshoes or gliding across groomed trails on cross-country skis is what winter is about, and Leavenworth has hundreds of miles of trails to explore and plenty of options for equipment rentals and instruction.
A solid recommendation for any Leavenworth first-timer is Plain Valley — 13 miles of groomed cross-country ski and skate trails make it a popular spot for all ages. Day passes are $12 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 18, and free for 6 and under. You can rent cross-country skis or snowshoes or book a lesson to gain skills and confidence.
Then there’s Blue Sky Outfitters on Front Street, offering snowshoe tours for all experience levels — complete with shoes, poles, passes, and snacks. Got a grownups-only group? Kick it up a notch with the snowshoe/wine package, which features a guided trek followed by lunch and winery visits. If you’re serious about adventure seeking, consider a day-long backcountry ski class with Northwest Mountain School, or book a snowmobile tour with one of the operators in town.
There are nutcrackers. Thousands of nutcrackers.
Photo: Nutcracker Museum
Maybe you’ve cracked open a few walnuts in your day — or maybe you’ve never even seen a nutcracker. Either way, you’ll be blown away by the vast display at the Nutcracker Museum on Front Street. Star Wars nutcrackers, Wizard of Oz nutcrackers, Disney nutcrackers — they have pretty much all the nutcrackers, including some that are over 2,000 years old.
It’s open every day from 1 to 5pm, and tickets are cheap ($5 for adults, $3.50 for seniors, $2 for youth, and free for kids 6 and under). You can also buy a few souvenir nutcrackers for the traditional Christmas lovers on your list.
Christmas magic comes to life in Leavenworth.
Photo: Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
Remember how much you used to look forward to Christmas? Now take a look at the kids’ faces when they notice Santa, Mrs. Claus, Father Christmas, and other characters wandering around Front Street Park during the lighting ceremony — pure magic.
Even better is touring the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, where you can get up close and personal with a herd of reindeer. Petting, feeding, and taking selfies with the sorta-kinda-magical creatures are all fair game. Tickets are $10 (or $15 for the tour that features Santa, which should be booked in advance).
The hills are alive with the sound of…well, you know.
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
Local musicians are everywhere during Leavenworth’s holiday season, whether you’re window shopping downtown, sipping a German-style beer at a local pub, or taking in a show. Icicle Creek Center for the Arts puts on some noteworthy holiday performances, including a handbell ringer concert, a Bavarian-themed Christmas show, and a Celtic Yuletide concert. Leavenworth Community United Methodist Church on Evans Street hosts several harp concerts during the season, too. Plus, every morning at the Enzian Inn, you can see a lederhosen-clad musician play the alphorn. (It’s as legit as it sounds.)
You also don’t want to miss Leavenworth Village Voices. Catch this talented local choir performing at the gazebo at Front Street Park during weekend lightings, hear small groups of them caroling, or attend one of their “Christmas in the Mountains” concerts in December at the Nazarene Church on Ski Hill.
Dining on hot cheesy fondue is the best way to warm up.
Photo: Pedro Cerqueira
It’s a cold day, and you’re craving hot cheese. It happens to everyone. When it comes to the traditional Swiss delicacy, you can’t really go wrong. But there’s something special about the fondue you’ll find in Leavenworth.
JJ Hills Fresh Grill at Icicle Village Resort makes their fondue from local Aasgard (Alpine gruyere) and adds a shot of Kirsch (brandy) for extra flavor. It’s served with bread and sliced apples and pears. At Uncle Uli’s Pub on Front Street, you can dunk chunks of rye bread and order a salty soft pretzel to soak up the extra fondue. (Rumor has it they carefully guard their secret recipe.) Mozart’s is a great stop, too — fondue pairs nicely with jazz — and Pavz Café Bistro goes the extra mile by making their own cheese. Plus, most restaurants along Front St. offer outdoor and indoor seating, so you can accidentally drizzle warm cheese sauce all over your chin wherever makes you happiest.
You can go on an old-fashioned sleigh ride.
Photo: Brian Munoz
Jingling bells. Clip-clopping hooves. A cozy blanket to keep you warm. No matter how old you are, there’s something fairy-tale-esque about gliding across the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh. If you plan ahead and make reservations, you’ll have options in Leavenworth. All the basic rides range from about $18 to $25 per adult, and they invite you to warm up with a hot drink afterward.
Eagle Creek Ranch offers various tours through meadows and woods, including a group ride on a big sleigh and a private tour for two. Mountain Springs Lodge runs daily sleigh rides, with options that serve breakfast before or dinner afterward. Red-Tail Canyon Farm does 30-minute rides through snowy fields and woods. Icicle Outfitters and Guides has sleigh trips through meadows and along the Icicle River.
The snow-covered hills are begging for fresh tracks from tubes, skis, and snowboards.
Photo: Shane Wilder / Icicle TV
Like the best ski towns, Leavenworth caters to virtually every age and skill level. The little ones can get their thrills on the small sledding hill downtown, while bigger kids will enjoy the Leavenworth Ski Hill and Tubing Hill. (Ropetows make this a great spot for young skiers intimidated by chairlifts, as well as tubers who don’t like trudging back up the hill after a ride.) There’s some pretty great cross-country trails, too, and when they light up at night, the experience takes on a whole new feeling.
To give the bank account a break, check out Leavenworth’s discount Getaway and Stay & Play packages. Depending on the dates you want, you can snag half-off lift tickets for Stevens Pass, up to 25% lodging discounts, and a VIP activity card (starting in January) with discounts on dining, shopping, and activities.
Nutcrackers, music boxes, cuckoo clocks — the Leavenworth holiday shopping scene is the best.
Photo: Brian Munoz
For those who’ve elbowed their way through a crowded mall during the holidays, Leavenworth is a welcome reprieve. You can wander at your leisure in and out of delightful little stores that line pretty much the entire downtown.
Kris Kringl is particularly awesome because they sell Christmas items all year long — think 6,000 square feet of every type of holiday decoration you could imagine. (Where else could you find a beer drinker cuckoo clock?) Die Musik Box is also mandatory, featuring thousands of unusual musical items: jewelry boxes, clocks, ornaments, and more. If a bartender ornament that plays “Show Me the Way to Go Home” doesn’t delight you, nothing will.
Other spots you have to check out include The Bubblery for handmade goat milk soaps (if you’re not a believer yet, you will be), and Cup & Kettle when it’s time for a tea break. This probably only dents your shopping list, but it also only dents the list of shops in Leavenworth.
No hot drink has ever tasted so good.
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
When it’s cold outside in Leavenworth, you should be ordering a mug of red wine infused with cloves, cinnamon, citrus, and sugar. This is Glühwein — or mulled wine, if you prefer — and you have a multiple options to get your fix. While you’re wandering through downtown taking in the light display, stop at the Glühwein stand (they also serve hot cider). If you’d rather relax in a warm tasting room, head to Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery or Swakane Winery (both on Front Street), or check out Baroness Cellars — they do a fantastic white version of Glühwein called Engelwein, made with Gewurztraminer and ginger.
For the kids, it’s all about the hot cocoa. Try J5’s Coffee Shop and Espresso Bar on Ninth Street — theirs is made with steamed milk and 5 Sparrows House Chocolate. O’Grady’s Pantry & Mercantile (at the Sleeping Lady Resort) also makes a mean cup of cocoa, with just the perfect amount of sweetness.
The Bavarian Icefest is the coolest winter festival around.
Photo: Icicle TV
Once the holiday excitement ends, the winter blahs can set in. But you don’t have to let them — keep the fun going at the annual Bavarian Icefest on January 13 and 14. The whole family can get in on the ice carving, snow sculptures, snowmobile sled pull, and fireworks. And remember those half a million twinkling lights? They’re still lit. This is Leavenworth in winter. 
November 29, 2017
People of Paradise
Shot by Simon Woods, episode 3 of People of Paradise takes you into the heart of this complex matriarchal society.
Join Tao Philippines head cook, Ann, on a mouthwatering visit through her kitchen, where she spreads the joy of Filipino cooking and culture to everyone who crosses her path.
“Filipino cooking isn’t just cooking for yourself or a few people,” she says. “It’s cooking for everybody; it’s a fiesta.”
Know before traveling to London
For one glorious year, I lived in student housing right near Liverpool Street in London. The city remains my favorite of all time: it could win on pubs alone, but I loved the architecture, the history, the culture, and even the weather.
There are a few things, though, that I wish I’d known when I first got there. Things that would have saved me time and money and headache, and which would have allowed me to get even more out of my experience there. Here are a few:
1. The best market is Borough Market.
I spent my first few months in London going to every market I could. There are a ton of them, and they range from the touristy (Spitalfields, Camden), to the not-so-touristy (Petticoat Lane), to the posh (Portobello) to the uber-posh (Greenwich). They are all worth going to. But Borough Market is the best, and the most deserving of your repeat business. The reason is that the food at Borough Market is insanely good, and, for a market that’s literally under railroad tracks, it’s surprisingly beautiful. It also fits nicely into our perfect one-day walking tour of London.
wingsuit base jumping into airplane
It is hard to imagine ways to make wingsuit flying seem more awesome and dangerous than it already is. Whenever they jump out of an airplane, wingsuit flyers are putting faith in what is essentially a full body version of drop-crotch pants to “safely” glide to the earth at 62 MPH. Yet, wingsuit flyers can’t seem to help themselves from making this even more hair-raising. For this video, wingsuit stuntmen Fred Fugen and Vince Reffet decided to add two more death-defying elements to their flight: BASE jumping (or jumping off a cliff rather than a plane), and landing not on the ground via parachute, but sailing inside of an open plane door in mid-flight. This is bonkers, especially when you consider that their tiny landing zone is only a few feet behind an operating propeller.
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More like this: Check this amazing wingsuit footage from Northern Italy
Dating a flight attendant
Every amenity in your partner’s home is a branded and travel-sized version of some travel product. You now have the option of using a pen from Hong Kong, hotel lotion from Bangkok, and a notepad from Miami. And the forgotten plastic key cards from ten different hotels? They really need to be thrown away.
2. You know the tricks to get an upgrade.
It doesn’t matter what flight you are on or where you are going, now that you date a flight attendant, you know to bring the crew treats. You subtly drop that you are in a relationship with “their kind” and secretly hope that it works out to an upgrade or free drinks.
3. The first thing your partner does, upon waking (more often than not, at odd hours of the day) is check Google maps to see their current location.
The consistent rotation of hotels, cities, airports, and airplanes have a tendency to make your flight attendant a little confused. It’s common for your partner to wake up in a panic because they can’t remember what city they are in.
4. Your partner lives out of a suitcase — even at home.
Having a bag always packed is standard and your flight attendant simply finds it easier to never truly unpack. It doesn’t mean she or he will leave you in an instant, it’s just less of a hassle to never really “land” anywhere.
5. You ask your flight attendant partner to bring you a glass of water and you are handed a “crew water” and some pretzels.
Crew water bottles begin to pile up in the pantry and in-flight snacks are a staple appetizer in your home.
6. When you ask when your flight attendant partner is coming over, they respond with, “My ETA is 1900.”
You understand military time, abbreviations, and a new “air lingo” you didn’t even know existed. “Bidding” isn’t a gambling term, “lines” do not refer to drugs, and “reserve” does not mean “the extra one.”
7. Dinner is at odd times, served on a tray, or eaten standing up.
Mealtimes are a new adventure for you. Dinner is a standing-only event and the conversation is a version of “Galley Gab” you never knew existed.
8. When you go out, your partner orders a glass of wine and a double shot espresso.
One has to fight that jet lag somehow, right?
9. Your text message conversations always include, “Where are you?”, “Where are you going?”, and “When are you coming home?”
Keeping track of their schedule is almost impossible. Once your relationship gets more serious, you might gain access to the scheduling system and be shown to read the codes, days, and flights, but until then, keep typing.
10. You go on lunch dates in Paris, dinner in New York, and coffee in Seattle — all in the same week.
The world is as small as two un-ticketed seats in business class (which are hard to come by these days) and as open as your work schedule.
11. You know your relationship is serious because you get the coveted “benefits.”
Flight benefits are the pre-engagement gifts or promise rings of the airline world — they mean commitment.
More like this: 22 things you should never say to a flight attendant
13 things you get addicted to living in South Korea
From hot and steamy waters to cool and icy, these group baths throughout Korea are part of the reason everyone’s faces here are glowing. Investing a few extra won for the scrub down of a lifetime from an ajumma is never a bad choice for dead skin and neither is lounging in the sauna afterward to calm down a weary body. Dragon Hill in Seoul or Spa Land in Busan are perfect places to start the jjimjilbang experience. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning most of these places accommodate guests overnight, sometimes for free…Being naked with strangers never felt so wonderful.
2. Korean BBQ.
It’s obvious the Korean culture respects group activities. Korean BBQ is no exception and it’s a delicious one. Some of the finest memories are with friends, chopsticks, and maegju around a grill sharing chicken, galbi, and banchan while attempting to maintain sobriety over soju drinking games. Geonbae!
3. Scissors & meat (of any kind).
This may seem like a weird combination, but it’s brilliant. Here, there’s no need for “steak knives.” No one uses them. Meat is cut with scissors and after trying it once, there’s really no other way to slice.
4. Singing all night long.
After the spa, the bbq, and the booze, there’s the obvious choice: norebang. From the outside, these are holes in the wall places that, once inside, have endless possibilities of rooms and songs to choose. This is the second best place to go with friends and maybe the best one to sneak in 1,000 won soju bottles to sip on while screaming into a microphone. Some spots even have special costumes you can rent during the hour(s)! Take that, karaoke.
5. Fancy public bathrooms.
Who needs toilet paper when there’s a button on the side for a bidet? The toilet seats here are warm and it’s not because someone else was sitting there a while. They’re heated! Have stage fright? Hit the button and you’ll hear waterfall sounds. Given, this isn’t everywhere, but the special seats are in enough places that getting used to the convenience is inevitable.
6. Skincare, makeup, and beauty.
It is known: Korea rocks at this game. Perusing the streets of Seoul, Busan or even a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, there’s a store close by that will sell you a life-changing face mask. Walking down the streets of Myeongdong and Itaewon in Seoul or Seomyeon or Centum City in Busan, they’re all like entering a never-ending Sephora. Whether it’s Too Cool for School, Olive Young, or Skin Food — each store has its own personality from quirky to sophisticated. It’s endearing and also addicting. There’s always someone around to help find the perfect color for skin, lips, eyebrows or nails. Let it never end.
7. Outdoor drinking.
Forget open containers. Embrace them! Walking down the street with a cool, fresh can of Cass is just another way to spend summer. Or Monday. Whatever. Paper bags are not necessary to hide any adult beverage.
8. Food delivery.
Even in the middle of summer in Busan on the beach, drivers walk onto the sand to deliver fried chicken, pizza, tteokboki — who knows! Food delivery is everywhere here. Most delivery services provide both English and Korean and are even online. McDonald’s will bike right up to any apartment, as will most pizza shops. That said, nothing can beat Shuttle Delivery, though. Kudos always to the delivery guys. Pay in cash, credit, debit, or online.
9. Health insurance.
Thank goodness for Korean National Health Insurance! Getting a work physical is free. A visit to the dentist is 10,000 won (less than $10US) for a teeth cleaning, and fracturing a kneecap will set you back about 400,000 won (less than $400US) in total for six weeks of check-ups, x-rays, a cast, and medication. In the next year, there are talks of plastic surgery being added to the list. Women’s healthcare is also not overlooked; a regular gynecologist exam is less than 80,000 won (less than $80US) including all tests for STIs and birth control is OTC. No need for insurance on the latter. What a world.
10. An accessible country for travel.
Despite living in Seoul, it’s easy to be on the other side of the country by KTX, the Korean fast train, in about 2.5 hours for 50,000 won (less than $50US). Yes, bringing a bottle or two soju or Hite or whatever you care to imbibe is fine by everyone.
11. Safety.
No one likes being robbed. It’s the worst to realize a phone or wallet is missing after traveling hours cross country or to another one (way worse). Here, smartphones left in taxis are returned. Strangers take unknown wallets found on the street to the police, money and credit cards still intact. Living in a country where honesty is valued is a relief.
12. Love motels.
It doesn’t matter if you’re with a lover, with a group of friends or alone, the cost is cheap and the staff (of usually one person) friendly. In most places, they even give you a tiny kit filled with all the things people forget or don’t even need on vacation: shampoo (1), body wash (1) toothbrush (2), toothpaste (2), condoms (2), hair combs (3 for some reason). Always clean and dependable, sometimes with a flair for the dramatic (like the jail themed ones), love motels are the fancy hostels of Korea.
13. Cute things in convenience stores.
We live in a rare, innocent place in the world where the 7-11 sells way more than old hot dogs. There are microwaves in all the 7-11s, GS25s, and CU Marts to heat up ramen or the little rice gimbap triangles. Loads of snacks are 2 for 1 and adorable baby hairbrushes and socks with Kakao characters on them are almost always available. And, once the warm weather sets in and cherry blossoms are blooming pink and white all about the country, these stores are perfect hubs to sit and share a cold brew with friends after work. They all have patios.
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