I’m sitting in the airport as I write this, stopping to take a breather from the last minute flurry of activity that typically precedes any time away from home (for me that is). It literally blows my mind how fast the days, weeks, and months go by, and with just minutes left before boarding yet another flight, I want to share with you some photos from my last trip. After tying the knot last year, an obligation to pay respects to my better half’s extended family (who couldn’t attend the wedding) led us to visit South Korea over the winter break. I apologize for another sparse entry bereft of words, but hopefully the images will convey the sheer beauty I saw through my eyes. Enjoy!

nightline from our hotel room in Kang Nam

visitor at the entry doors to Bong Eun Sa, a Buddhist temple built in 794 during Shilla dynasty

rooftops at Bong Eun Sa

Bong Eun Sa was built before the creation of the Korean alphabet (Hangul), hence the Chinese characters

worship

sae bae (bowing and paying respects to our elders for the new year)

my new uncle and aunt, the cutest couple ever

a chilly new year's day at the royal palace, Gyeongbokgung

red columns of the beautifully restored and maintained Gyeongbokgung

girls wearing Hanboks, or the traditional Korean dress, visiting the palace grounds during new year's day.

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Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (royal banquet hall)

reaching for the skies in Kang Nam

Gulbi (dried yellow croaker) hanging at Namdaemun Shijang (great southgate market)

Yuk Soo, a hot beef broth often served with the noodle dish, naengmyeon

a bowl of Kimchi Maree Gook Soo (cold kimchi noodle soup) at Noon Namu Jib restaurant

winters can be quite cold in Seoul, and it managed to snow a little while we were there

our friend Ken, best food guide in Seoul!

vintage furniture and accessories at aA design museum shop

alleyways in Namdaemun Shijang (great southgate market)

all things spicy

grilled sausages and fishcake with Gochujang (spicy red pepper paste) from a street-side food vendor in Insadong

spraycat style

night crowds at Myungdong

new year festive at Gyeongbokgung