Holi Hai!

As I'm sure many of you know, Holi is a Hindu spring festival. You have probably seen pictures of revelers adorned in white throwing colorful powders and paints at one another. Holi is celebrated all over the world and has become an increasingly popular festival for travelers to take part in. The Indian population in Busan has hosted a Holi celebration at Haeundae beach for the past few years, attracting the foreigner population and a few locals to celebrate along side them.

The festival began with delicious samosas and logistical stuff like passing out the colors and caps. Once everyone was settled in the countdown began. The initial release of colors was spectacular! Everyone had a smile on their face as they sprinkled their friends and neighbors with color. The music and dancing continued for some time after that. We joined in a dance train and greeted one another saying, "Happy Holi!" We couldn't have asked for better weather. After we were danced out we took naps in the sun, worrying for the first time in months that we might burn. I would recommend attending Holi to anyone regardless of what city you are in. If you have the opportunity it is a beautiful festival filled with joy and laughter.

Me and the ladies after the festival

Photo Sunday: Through the Window

Good morning loves!

Today's Photo Sunday comes to you from the window of my mom's house. The front windows look out over the mountains, so they're perfect for sunrises.

I woke up the other morning to this beautiful sight. It is hard to be grumpy in the morning when you wake up to this. I love sunrises over the mountains.

I can't wait for summer so that I can go on trips. Right now I'm pretty much trapped here. Oh well.

How is everyone's spring starting off? Anyone else already planning summer adventures?

-Alisa

Catch-up!

Sorry guys, I completely spaced on the blog front. The new semester started at the beginning of the month and I have been busy adjusting to that. Fortunately (or rather unfortunately) there isn't much to catch you up on. I tend to retreat into hermitdom during the winter so I haven't been out and about much. Thankfully it is starting to warm up here so I should have more to talk about in the months to come.

During my absence I did go on two trips worth mentioning, I met a friend in Gyeongju for the day and attended Holi Hai here in Busan! Gyeongju was once the capital of the Silla kingdom and houses a vast network of historical sites, two of which are World Heritage Sites. Gyeongju itself seemed pretty small, especially after Busan, though some of the sites worth seeing are outside the city proper. Though we went on a relatively nice day, I would suggest going in the fall or spring. Many of Gyeongju's historic sites, such as the burial mounds are outside and I am sure are much more attractive when covered in grass and there are leaves on the trees. We were able to walk to all of the historic sites within the city proper, including the museum, but would have had to take buses to the temple and lake resort. The museum is free and worth a visit. I would suggest getting an audio guide or getting their for one of the free English tours (I believe they are just on Saturday's) because the signage isn't great. Perhaps I never noticed it in the States because I know the history better, or perhaps we really do have better signage but in any case if you don't know Korean history well like myself the sites can lose some of their meaning. Whether or not you are a big history buff, it is a nice city to wander around, they have a great outdoor market and you can rent bikes and enjoy their vast park. My last tip would be to avoid Anapji pond. The model at the museum makes it seem a lot bigger than it is and all that is left of the palace is a few pagodas. For one of the few sites we had to pay to see, I don't think it is worth it.

A Buddha statue from the National History Museum

Please feel free to comment about your own experiences in Gyeongju or post suggestions for my future trips!

I'll save Holi Hai for next week. 

Hope

Photo Sunday: The Treetop Walk in Singapore

Hello all! We had a bit of snow Friday, but it's finally sunny again. Maybe spring will happen for real soon? That'd be nice.

Since I'd rather think about warm places, I give you another picture from Singapore.

I mostly like this picture for how red and awesome my hair looks, not going to lie. It is also a good picture of the treetop walk and you can get a sense for how long it is. When I first saw the structure close ahead of me, I thought that was the end and was disappointed. Luckily I was wrong and it was much longer. It may have be sweltering, and I thought I was going to die on the way back, but it was worth it.

Mostly because I saw a monkey.

Also, I've been thinking of posting book reviews on here as well, since I read a shit ton. Would anyone be interested in book reviews? I could also just link my GoodReads here. Thoughts?

Anyone else ever done the treetop walk in Singapore, or anywhere else?

-Alisa

An Anniversary and a Review: Happy Valley Brewery

So yesterday was my one year anniversary with YC. To me this is quite the big deal. So I am taking a moment to gush to you guys, then I shall get on with the review of where we went for dinner.
I am reviewing it because YUM.

Last year at this time YC and I had just gotten back from a trip to NYC with some friends. We'd been seeing each other for awhile, but not officially dating. After spending a couple days with each other non-stop and surviving, I realized I could happily date this guy. So here we are a year later, and I couldn't be happier.

Gushing over.

The face of I-can't-stop-eating-for-photos

Photo Sunday: Iced Coffee Season!

Hey all! It's finally getting warm! I swear it feels like winter this year lasted forever, and was cold as hell.

Last week it was finally warm enough to get an iced coffee! Which, to me, is the real sign that spring has arrived.

I love Starbucks. I know their coffee is expensive, but for sweet coffees nowhere is better. For the less sugary coffees I do prefer little local cafes. I went to a particularly cute one in Ireland when we first arrived. After a six-hour overnight flight, my family needed the caffeine.

Coffee is one of my favorite things to try in new places. Not just new countries, but anywhere I go. I love little cafes and quietly sipping coffee or chatting with friends.

As much as I love hot coffee, I do enjoy a good iced coffee. I'm so pumped it is finally warm enough to drink them without freezing.

Anyone else a coffee lover out there? Any suggestions on coffee places I need to hit up on my travels?

Happy spring!

-Alisa 

Photo Sunday: Bird Watching

Hello lovelies!

I'm on spring break now, so apparently that means I forget what day of the week it is. So happy Photo Sunday on Monday!

Two of my friends love birds, so now they've got me looking for birds. I made my mom stop the car so I could get out and take a picture. Anyone know what kind of bird it is? Some sort of hawk. 

I love looking for animals.

Hope you're all having a good spring break if you get one!

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: A Video! The Almighty Durian

In honor of my southeast Asian food post, here finally is the video YC took of me trying durian.
It is a strange fruit. I stand by my description of it is like weird custard.

Enjoy.

-Alisa

All the Southeast Asian Food!

I promised you a post on all the food I ate in Southeast Asia. Here it is finally! I will not mar it with too many words, so here are all the food pictures with brief descriptions.

Enjoy!

SINGAPORE:

Bubble Tea is one of my absolute favorite things on earth. Bubble tea in Singapore was so much better than in the States. Here we have honey and winter melon with foam flavors from Gong Cha.