Kate's Pressed Flower Art

Monday, May 14, 2012

Visiting Korean Pressed Flower Club 1- 2012 Vacation Part 4

We called a taxi to go to the Korean Pressed Flower Club after breakfast. This is city scene not far from Insadong. The club is at the south side of the river. Insadong is on the north side.

Crossing the river.

Azaleas were in full bloom. There are flowers and other plants everywhere along road side in Korea.

White and purple lilac were in full bloom outside of the club building. I picked two branches to press. It is difficult to keep its color after pressing for long. I have asked to let the flowers absorbing some light purple dyes before pressing.

It was so good to see Ms. Lee (president of the club) again. She looks just like two years ago when I met her in Guangzhou, China for the first time – young, beautiful, and capable.

Door way at the Korean Pressed Flower Club.

Door for pressed flower art classroom.

Pressed flower light and small packages of already pressed flowers.

Large packages of pressed flowers. I bought some unique Korean flowers.

Botanical design and metal foil botanical designs.

All kinds of pressed flower jewelry and small items.

Pressed flower furniture.

Small pressed flower artworks.

Pressed flower and dried flower artworks.

Dried flower artworks

Pressed flower artwork

This one illustrating traditional Korean scene. I love it! It is very delicate.

Pressed flower jewelry boxes.

Pressed flower boxes.

Pressed flower lights.

Pressed flower mirror

Korean style pressed flower furniture.

Pressed flower furniture.

paper for pressed flower art

Pressed flower clock

Pressed flower furniture.

Pressed flower screens

Small pressed flower artworks

Pressed flower chair

Pressed flower table

Ms. Lee said that the chair and table is 10 years old already. All flowers and leaves are in their natural colors. The table is scratched some after 10 years but the flowers kept their color without fading. It is amazing! Design is embedded with two thick layers of acrylic. It is a joy to have tea with this set of furniture. I am so lucky!

Korean Breakfast–2012 Vacation Part 3

Our friend took me to a 24 hour place for Korean breakfast next morning. OMG! There are so much food for a traditional breakfast. Pork Bone Bowl with potato and vegetable. There is a large bowl of rice and some side dishes come with the order.

I am so used to a cup of yogurt and a banana or a bowl of cereal for breakfast. I think two spoons of rice and these side dishes are enough for breakfast already. However, I want to experience the Korean way.

Our friend explains that young working people do not have luxury to eat breakfast like this anymore. There is just not enough time in the morning. They usually have soy milk and a sandwich or a rice wrap for breakfast. I later saw 7-11 shops carry breakfast like that.

The breakfast is so delicious! I love all the vegetables in the soup. I ended up finished the bowl but I just don’t have room for rice.

The next day after everyone arrived, we went back to the same restaurant for breakfast. I said there is no way for us to eat so much. We should share. We ordered several 4 people pots and just enough rice.

The pot looks very spicy but it is actually not that hot. It is just enough spice for my taste. A huge pot came. We need to wait for it to boil again to cook the vegetable.

There are some Korean bean noodle and rice cake under mushroom.

And then there are some herbs and vegetable underneath.

There is pork bone and potato on the very bottom.

There are friends from China and Russia. The restaurant does not have fork. Fortunately they have spoons. Russian friends had to use both hands to work the chopsticks. They were able to use chopsticks a few days later.

Everyone loved the food. We had the luxury that day to take our time to experience breakfast the traditional Korean way. It was a good feeling.

I am very grateful for our friend Huayu. She was our translator and also took care of us every way. We would not have such good experiences in Korea without her. There are many places in Korea today having English and Chinese signs. However, most of the stores do not speak any foreign language. If we want to really experience Korea, it is not enough to go to places that can speak English or Chinese or both. I have joined tour to Korea before. We have visited many places in Korea. However, we have only seen places but not experienced Korea the Korean way. We only hurried from places to places. I actually love to spend a little time watching how other Koreans enjoy breakfast in such restaurant and taste the delicious food myself. The problem is there is only Korean on the menu. The owner only speaks Korean. We would never guess this kind of food is actually traditional breakfast. I would think it is lunch or dinner looking at pictures posted on the walls. Huayu asked her mother to take care of her 1-year old daughter and spent the whole time with us. I felt so bad but we all really depended on her. There is no words to describe my gratefulness. However, I still want to express my sincere thanks to Huayu here.

Thank you vey much, Huayu!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

First Impression of Insadong, Seoul–2012 Vacation Part 2

It became dark by the time we got to the hotel in Insadong. I got sick again on the bus ride. Hmmm… I hate this motion sickness! I had to lay down after checking-in. Our friend took my husband to get medicine for me. I actually wasn’t that bad. I just needed a few minutes of rest and some water.

I got better by the time they came back. We went out to find food. Our friend has to go back to the airport to greet other friends from China. I said we should just find a noodle place for something simple. She took us to a small noodle restaurant. I love to have something with soup after a long flight. We ordered something without spices. It is not a good idea to eat spice hot stuff after a long trip. Our friend introduced us to Korean dumplings and rice cake soup and seafood noodle soup. Kimchee comes with meal. Orders are huge in size. 3 of us shared two large bowls of food. Kimchee is especially good. There is no comparison to the kimchee we have tasted in the US. Friend said that they don’t make other side dishes but kimchee in Korean noodle houses. If they don’t make good kimchee, no one would come. The Korean dumplings are very similar to large wonton from Northern China. Soup is cooked with pork bones. It is very tasty. I love the seafood noodle. There are shrimps, large squid, and small scallops. The noodle is freshly handmade.

Our friend quickly finished eating to hurry back to the airport picking up other friends from China. My husband and I took our time and then took a stroke outside. Insadong at night is busy. Every restaurant was full.

We received a call from our friend after we got back to the hotel room that China flight was cancelled due to pouring rain. They have to wait for the next fight in the morning. I would be the only one going to the Korean pressed flower club in the morning.

I came out of the hotel in the morning. Wow! I love this place. It is so Korean historical look. I did not notice the architectures at the night. It is so wonderful to look at in the day light. Every house is over 100 years old. I have to give Korean credits to maintain historical houses. This whole area is commercial yet they keep the houses’ original shape and without neon lights or large commercial signs. Every house is unique. Prices for food and other goods in this area is slightly higher than other places in Seoul. I personally think it is worthy the cost. And it is not ridiculously high either. I really enjoy this place. I am grateful for our Korean host picking this place and negotiated group rate for us.

I have been in Korea many years with a travel group from Hong Kong. I have visited many places but did not have a chance to observe how Koreans live. In Insadong, we have seen locals come to shop, walk, and eat as well as many tourists like us.

People walking outside early in the morning are all locals.

This is the small hotel we stayed at.

There are many art galleries in Insadong. I would love to spend time to browse but we just don’t have enough time.

Go to Seoul by A380–2012 Vacation Part 1

We left Phoenix early on 4/26 to catch a Southwest flight to LAX. It was an easy walk to the international terminal from terminal 1. LA was drizzling but not cold. I was excited to ride the A380 to Seoul. This was my first time to ride this giant. Morning drizzle soon broke up to a beautiful sunny day. We had a brunch at LAX.

The draw back of such a giant plane is the terminal is too small for so many passengers. Many people were sitting on the floor or standing. We found seats on the next gate but we had to check back often when it gets close to boarding time.

Boarding is by zones which were printed on our boarding cards.

The aircraft is big. You can tell just by the door size.

Ceiling is tall. Boarding took awhile for so many people.

Carry-on luggage compartment is large. My large size carry-on bag can be fit in comfortably.

The inner window is large but the outer window is small just like other aircrafts. I am proud of our Boeing 787 having revolutionary change on window design.

The ceiling is tall and with bright lights. I still like Boeing 787 rainbow colors much more. No one can adjust air flow anymore. I cannot touch the ceiling when I stand up. All personal controls on lights, entertainments, and service calls are done by a remote control on each seat.

The plane flies smooth and quiet. The ride to Korea was very comfortable. Korean airline service is excellent. I have no complains for any of the Asian airlines in terms of service, food, and drink. I watched a movie and napped some in between meals.

Immigration check was very simple. We got our luggage and walked out. Our friend was waiting by the exit door. She took us to ride airport bus to the city. Bus was right outside of the terminal. It is so easy.

Incheon was the battle field of famous Incheon Landing in Korea war. Today, it is a beautiful city that forms the larger Seoul area. It was about an hour ride from the Incheon Airport to where we stay.