We just rolled out of bed after a text had come in earlier. Alya was coming to our neighbourhood; she asked if we were already awake. “She probably wants to meet up in the evening and is simply checking on beforehand,” Ina said. Turns out wishful thinking doesn’t always work, haha. Alya was already here, waiting for us in a restaurant. With some fabulous unshaved legs, I dared myself to go out into the ‘blazing’ heat. In Jeju, it was very humid but at least there was a lot of wind. In Seoul it is simply hot; too hot for me to wear long pants even though my legs are not shaved. (The struggle of being lazy.)
So we went there, met one of Alya’s friends who is also from Malaysia, ate lunch and moved on to a dessert. I mean, I only still eat proper food so that I can eat dessert afterwards (duh). Desert is often either ice cream, waffles with ice cream or a piece of cake/mouse/chocolate. In the last few days, I have eaten a lot of Oreo desserts. We ordered Cookies and Cream Frappuccino’s which in Korea often means that you get ‘Oreo’ Frappuccino’s. As for a cake, we decided on a Hunny Caramel cake and wow… you have no idea how sweet it is! Koreans seem to love sweet. There is their bread for example. Don’t expect to get ‘normal’ (Dutch/German) bread. The bread in Korea is very sweet… it tastes more like a semi cake.
Maybe it is because Alya has already been in Korea 4 times. She seems to know a lot of good places for food and desserts. She brought us to a place with an entrance we would have passed by ourselves if it wasn’t for her and you know… it is not a place that you want to miss out! The places to sit are separated from each other. It gives the impression that you are ‘alone’ with you and your friends while you sit on a soft carpet and can lean against big pillows. It’s very cozy and makes you feel relaxed while you enjoy some delicious Frappuccino and cake.
The hours were passing by without notice. Then at one point, Alya said she was not happy with having to see the monkeys again.
Wait. Monkeys?
…In her backyard… now her mom is trying to shush them away, but Alya used to, and will do it again when she goes back. So wait… What do we have? A dog or a cat, birds and mice sometimes, maybe? Can you imagine monkeys in your backyard, or worse, monkeys stealing your food? Do you also imagine the jungle to be Alya’s and Tira’s backyard now? They once took out Kentucky fried chicken and on their way home, the monkeys surrounded them. Their friend who was holding the bag threw it in the air. “Have the chicken, not me!!”
Another time, Tira decided to go jogging and chose to wear a red shirt that day. She expected goats on her way, in the worst case. When she reached the playground she didn’t encounter goats but cows instead… They were looking very intensely at her red shirt.
Both Alya and Tira are going back to Malaysia within less than a week. “Come to Malaysia!” They have urged us many times already. I’d love to… if they can keep me safe from the monkeys, goats and cows. We can video chat with them first and when we do we might be able to see monkeys in the background.
Other posts in my South Korean Travel Series:
Preparing my trip to South Korea
The way things are
Arriving in Korea
Nothing touristic, just Korean food
Gay supporters, OUT
Exploring Jeju
To the summit of the Hallasan mountain!
The pond of God
Monkeys in our backyard
Yakcheonsa Buddhist Temple
Surrounded by mist on Udo Island
Busan day one
Busan day two
Seoul in ‘one week’
A large palace with little doors
Deoksung Palace
Enter the Secret Garden
Love conquers hate
SMTOWN
Bukchon Hanok Village
Chicken and beer at the Hangang River
Hello Kitty Cafe and actual cats
Korean Engrish
No more kamsamnida