I am in Korea and having an amazing time!!! The people here are just so sincere and genuine and hardworking. The pace of their life in incredible!



More on my blog!

(you might have to scroll down a little since I'm trying to catch up on some blogging.

Beautiful capture of the Korean way - I spent a year over there. Where are you - Seoul? None of the signs told in English or Korean what city (a lot of them do).

If you like tuna hit one of the corner markets & try a tuna & rice triangle. They're in any of those quickie marts, 7/11, etc. Have you tried their beef yet? Try some kimpap for lunch or bibimbap. Kimpap is like steak - it's fantastic. I miss Korean food sometimes.

Thanks for the mem'ries.

M

Annyong ha shimnikka!

What am awesome experience, Davina. Hope you have a great time. Thanks for the images ... I love seeing pics from other places around the world. Man, how I wish I could travel ALL THE TIME!!

That's awesome Davina!!!

I was just wondering how your trip was going!!!

Thanks, Matt!

I've had bibimbap and kimpap. Loved them! It's so incredible the way everything it here. I'm in Seoul and there are so many people everywhere!!!





Annyong ha shimnikka...ummm I should probably know what that means and people have probably said it to me...

This is my first experience outside of the US and I am soooooo loving it!!! I can't wait to travel a lot more!

Davina,

I have so loved seeing all of your photos from your trip! I stalk your blog daily even before my feedblitz notice comes. Your observations and thoughtfulness in your work are truly beautiful. The comments from your husband and cute little kiddos on your blog are so touching and wonderful. You are so blessed in your talent and in your family.



regina

These images look fabulous - enjoy your time there !!

I can't wait to see more!

Miss u - stay safe!

This has been an amazing trip! I'm really loving it!

Annyong haseo!

Regina, you are so sweet. I am so blessed in so many many ways. I'm loving that my kids and husband are commenting from around the world. It's sooo cute!

I'm blessed to have you as a friend, Regina. I appreciate you very much. Thanks for keeping up with my crazy self and life!




Okay guys...you so need to translate for me!




Hey, Timmy!

Totally miss you! I would venture to say that it's safer here than in the US...except maybe for those northerners...

Annyong just means goodbye - and haseo & hashimnikka mean "doing" - so it's sort of a verb that's used a lot. Hashimnikka is more formal and haseo is more friendly/kid-speak. I know a LOT more kidspeak than formal adult language since I worked with kids over there. I can tell you the "stupid teacher" is "pabo sonsaengnim" and neh (nay) is yes. aniyo is no. (ah knee oh)

and "do you speak english" is yongalule hashimnikka? (Do you English?)

I can read all of the signs in your photos - but most don't translate to anything meaningful except the McDonalds sign says mek doh nald.

M

Awww...thats awesome Davina! Great pics!

We have MANY close Korean friends...my maid of honor is Korean and we roomed together in college for 2 years, Garrett's best man married a Korean (and one of my best friends) and we were both in their wedding...Garrett is a groomsman to a Korean wedding this year the list goes on and on...so we've had our share of Korean language and food...

Here's words I have learned (badly mispelled):

Kimpop
Kimchi (super spicy!)
nanjango
nano popo hey
yabo
porecha

I love Korean culture! Even though they put ice in their soup.

HAVE FUN!!!! Miss you!

I love, love, love the pictures on your blog!! They really capture the craziness, fun, and abundance of goods on the streets and markets! Aren't the colors there amazing? I lived in Korea for awhile too, and I wish I'd had a digital camera at that time (I think I spent all my money on film and travels).

Have you been to Insa dong yet? Lots of cool paper/journal/art...though, I'm not telling you anything Lonely Planet won't tell you! Have fun!!

I'd love to see more of your fabulous pics if you have a chance to post more!!

Davina how exciting for you! glad you are having a great time.

YEEEEEAAAAA Davina, What an experience. I checked out the photos on your blog and I love, love, love them! That's wonderful that you were able to take your family with you. Have fun!

HOME!!!!! off to read your blog davina!!

anyonghaseyo!!!!

How amazing! I am super excited for you! And, of course, the images are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

omg davina....i am almost in tears over here...these pictures are amazing...i was born in korea and was adopted when i was 2, so i don't remember korea at all....i plan on going back sometime soon...thank you for giving me a glimpse of "home"

I've been checking in on the blog updates... can't wait to hear about the experience when we're in Texas!! (your family must miss you!!!)

Amazing culture. This is one my list of places to visit!

Have some Yaki and watch our for the Soju!

Wow! That's awesome! I didn't know so many OSPers had Korean connections!

Matt, your Korean is very good!

I am constantly impressed by the people on this board!

If you get a chance, try some kalbi! It is Korean short ribs. They don't look anything like baby back ribs or ribs as you may have seen in the US as Koreans slice the ribs against the bone. Makes for easier handling and tasty meat! Yum!

Enjoy the wedding and the rest of your time there!

Peter

Davina,
I'm new to this board but have been a fan of your work for some time. You are truly gifted and the pics from Korea are beautiful. Have a wonderful time - - looking forward to seeing more.

Great images, Davina!

In addition to the all-encompassing "anyonghaseo" you might want to bust out with a "yoja . . . kolgikojima" . . . or . . . "GIRL, DON'T GO THERE!" (one of my favorites!). Oh, and the "o" is a soft "o", like in "loft".

The people will think you've been there for years!!! Make sure to take lots of pic's of their reaction(s), too!!!



B

I've had Kimbop and Kimchi. Way good! I've had some other food too and now I don't remember what it was. I had some handmade noodles and they were reallly good! I also went to a soup house and had the 'family set' and it was the best I've had here.

So cool that you have gotten to have Korean food! did Garrett put ketchup on his?






The colors here ARE totallly amazing. I love all the fresh food that is everywhere. So many colors, textures, everything. I'm in love with traveling. When people heard that this was the first place I'd ever been outside the US they felt like I wasn't getting the best abroad first experience. I think it is! I'm totally loving Korea!!




Thanks, Kate! I've actually not brought my little family with me. I am here with my sister and parents, though. I can't wait to bring my sweet little kids here. I'm totally in love with all the little kids here! They are so stinkin' cute. A couple of times I've wondered what it would be like if I had my little blonde, blue eyed children here among all these dark haired people. It's so different to be such a minority. I think it's important for everyone to feel like a minority at some point. I makes compassion grow.






Suzy, you so have to make the trip as soon as you can. You will be so in love with Korea. The people here are amazing and their outlook and perspective on life is so positive and upbeat and happy. They are really incredible people! The country is so alive and so colorful and so busy. They seem to have endless energy and goodness. You'll love it! Thanks for looking at my blog. I really appreciate it!

Just DONT EAT the beondegi!!!!

Or the kehkogi.

Thanks for the heads up!


Louis, Shan, everyone! Thanks so much for checking out my blog. It's been so fun over here!

Ja Nae, I'm going to keep trying to update everyday. I'm hoping to add some to my blog in the next couple of hours.

Excellent work! Some of my favorites are of the flowers and the tie shot...very cool. It is always nice to step out and see something fresh. Great job and have fun over there.

davina,

the pix on your blog and here are just amazing! your one of the best underated and humble photogs i've ever met!

you rock!

jim

Looking at those photos makes me want to go there now. I can totally feel what it would be like being there by looking at your pictures. They're great!

And the photos you took from that latest wedding on your blog are stunning. Very inspiring!

ummm....you are totally making me blush...

Thanks so much for such kind words Jim. I really appreciate them! and you!




Anna! How are you?! I missed you at the PUG!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog! I'm so glad that the feeling of Korea is coming through on my blog. It really is so incredible to be visiting another country. For me, when I look at other photographer's travel pictures if they have me totally wanting to get there then they have done a good job. Thank you so much for that compliment. I'm so grateful for you taking the time to look and to comment!




Okay, Soju story.

When I first arrived here I hopped on a bus from the airport to come out to Seoul. While I was sitting and waiting for the bus to leave a man got on the bus. He seemed to be having a hard time getting down the aisle and just as he got to my seat he practically fell into our row. I smelled something incredibly strong and he tried to make himself upright again. He sat down right in back of us and the smell wafted through the rows. The Soju was very strong.

Yeah, definitely stay away from those two

You will probably hear "boh-sheeng-tahng" as opposed to "kehkogi"

Enjoy the rest of your time out there!

WOW THOSE ARE AMAZING!
WAY COOL! Oh by the way your friend David Perry called me!
He was calling me about coming out there to speak at a videographer meeting. So who knows I might get to see you this year in your own state. Hope your doing well Davina!

Davina! Love it! Really really great images!

Have a blast out there! I'm so jealous!

Davina thanks for posting up such wonderful and incredible pictures of Korea. I haven't been able to go back since leaving when I was around 5-6 years old. The pictures definetly make me want to go back again. I wanna eat their food!!

Oooo!!! That would be sooo cool and so fun if you could come here! I would love love love to see you!

Thanks for checking out my images. I really appreciate it!

Thanks for the kind words, Chris! You've got to come here some day!

Yun Na-I'm so glad that you feel a connection when you look at the pictures. It totally means a lot to me. Thanks for letting me know!

I just left a comment on your blog, but I wanted to resay how AWESOME your pictures are! It's fun to travel virtually with you! Miss ya, stay safe sweet Davina!!

some really beautiful images davina! looks as though you are having an amazing time and really getting to experience the opportunity of a lifetime.

take advantage of every minute and travel safe.

hey Davina,

can't wait to hear all about your adventure!
thanks for bringing Korea to us here in the US...your images are fabulous as usual.













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blog

Thanks so much for commenting on my blog, Scarlett!!

Jenna, I'm so sorry I didn't call you. I was running around getting ready to come here and spending a little time with my little ones and just completely forgot. I apologize! I do want to talk so we have to make sure we connect!

Erin, thanks for checking. I'm going to add some of the wedding tonight, hopefully!

Just wamted to post some images from the wedding. I'll post my last day here in the next day or so.

I wrote about all of the details of the traditional Korean bowing ceremony on my blog.

Oh my gosh!! Breathtaking!!!

Happy Valentine's sweet Davina!

I've been loving these pictures on your blog! Keep 'em coming! I didn't realize Korea was as beautiful as you make it look. You're AMAZING