Follow Your Road

My favorite riding area in Pyeongtaek

For the past four years I have done my best to live my own story and stay out of the general ex-pat drama.  Due to my alternate lifestyle growing up, this was rather easy for me. I'm accustomed to isolation and entertaining myself, building a world of my own making.  Part of that process, since I moved to Korea, has involved documenting my own drama and keeping track of the things that amuse me.  I say this to explain that this is not a lifestyle blog or really even an ex-pat blog, it's just the ramblings of countryside hermit as she weaves a life out of new thread.

Lately though, I've started to feel bad about hording the information that I have acquired during my time here and I've started putting together more informational blogs to share with others.  I do this with great trepidation, because I'm not really someone who wants to be "involved in the conversation". I prefer to talk to myself, alone, while semi-lost on mountain trails.

So why am I telling you this? So that you understand this blog just documents my life.  The things I write about here are the things I do and the way I do them.  I'll do my best to provide you with the details I gather on my journeys, but I'm not trying to be Korea's greatest travel expert and I don't want you to walk in my footsteps.  You are living your story and your drama.  You might not have a car, it doesn't mean you can't still go where I go - it will just look different. Don't let it stop you. Go out there and do all the stuff.  There are many roads to every destination, each one is filled with it's own delights.

All You Can Eat

Pyeongtaek: To Eat

Vietnamese Shabu Shabu

One of the first meals I really fell in love with in the Pyeongtaek area was a fusion Vietnamese shabu shabu.  The best place I have been for this so far has been in Anjung-eup which is in the western part of Pyeongtaek.  

Last night, however, we ended up at one of these restaurants on the edges of Pyeongtaek City that took the whole thing to the next level because it was all you can eat beef, pork, and veggies.  It was possibly the best choice you could make for a large group of hungry, thirsty people.  It's one of the few meals that everyone can be happy with.  All spicy or unusual flavors can be completely avoided or totally embraced, you get to choose.  If you love meat, you can just eat meat.  If you love veggies, you can just eat veggies.  If you like spicy, dump on the sauces. 

It's simple, healthy, and filling.

Is this THE BEST Vietnamese Shabu Shabu fusion I've had? 

No, because it's not as great as Anjung-eups. 

Is it it the best I've had in Pyeongtaek City? 

Yes, because it's all the veggies I want and a good quality of meat.

From what I could tell there were options ranging from 9,000 - 26,000\ depending on if you also wanted to order additional seafood items (seafood not all you can eat).  Since I wasn't paying, I have no idea what our meal cost per person.  If I would guess, it was the 9,000\ option, but I have no idea.

As usual, the restaurant had private rooms to facilitate large groups of people.

Name: 월남 쌈 김상사

Address: 경기도 평택시 동삭동 386-24,

Naver Map: http://me2.do/FoCrQOdx

Like a Fish To Water

Pyeongtaek: To Do

Water Park

Nothing says Friday like going to Cheonan Sangnok Resort 

to swim and play with all of the students.

Of course, I would come here with adults as well.

Small but substantial - this is a great place for summer fun for everyone.

Outside is quiet during rain, but hopping on sunny days.

Inside is always busy, but not too busy on weekdays.

The longest line on Friday was three people.

Plus, it's only about 1 hour from Pyeongtaek, 

so it's easy and way less stressful than Caribbean Bay

where you are in long lines for everything.

CLICK HERE to learn more about pricing, hours, etc.

Address: Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan-si, Dongnam-gu, Susin-ro, 576 Phone: 041-560-9114

Historical Thinking Spot

Pyeongtaek: To Do

Sightseeing

When the days are busy

and my thoughts too many,

I find a thinking spot.

On Saturday I combined little thinking with a little learning by

visiting the grave of a Pyeongtaek hero Won Kyun

which happens to be 15 minutes from my house.

Read more about him by CLICKING HERE

or reading below.

How to get to this thinking spot:

Address: 경기도 평택시 도일동 475

Naver Map: http://me2.do/FHbYVo1D

Falling In Love Again

For over three years I have been hoping to find this place again, but never had the time to go drive through the varies hills and valleys looking for it.  However, with more rest and time on my hands, this weekend I was able to quickly find it based on what I remembered from my first visit: on a dead end road, in a small valley, next to a Shell station, 10 minutes from my old job, relatively no signage.

How do I describe this place?

Movies aren't even this dreamy.

This is where you go if you love books and poetry 

and like to write stories in your head.

the food

the scenery

the sound of the breeze through the rice

It's like they were written in a fairy tale

that you have interrupted. 

Name: 사랑채, 

Phone: 031-663-8578

Address: 경기도 평택시 도일동 346, 

Naver Map: http://me2.do/5gsixfqZ

If you decide to step into this dream,

try not to break it by remembering a few things:

1. The restaurant is in the back of a home, respect the area.
2. They don't speak English
3. 6 people max. Not for big groups.
4. Quiet atmosphere, don't be too noisy.
5. They accept cash or checks.

The menu:

Barley Bibimpap 

7,000

Tofu, mushroom soup in fish broth (pictured above) 

4 people 35,000

3 people 25,000

2 people 20,000

Mung Bean Pancake

10,000

Soybean Pancake

10,000

Chicken and Potato Stew 토종 닭도리탕

4 people 40,000

Smothered Chicken Stew 토종 찜 닭

4 people 40,000

Stewed Chicken 토종 옷닭 백숙

4 people 45,000

Stew (I think chicken) with a tree 토종 엄나무 백숙

4 people 45,000

Samgupsal

12,000

Rice

1,000