We came to the Philippines just after Christmas to escape winter — from -9°C in Seoul to +29°C in Cebu. Four hours later, on a direct flight, we landed on the tropical island alongside many Korean holidaymakers. Cebu felt very Korean-friendly: Hangul signs, familiar restaurants, and a sense of recognition in an otherwise new place. After a long queue for taxis at the airport, we were finally on our way. Through the window of our Grab ride, we caught glimpses of local life — t

We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner on the American base in Seoul — the kind of invitation you can only get if you “know someone on the inside.” Our American friends took us, and from the moment we drove in, it felt like stepping through a crack in time. The wind was howling, the streets were dark, and the buildings stood like tired giants, holding the memories of everything they once were. It felt like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock film… the quiet kind, where nothi

We decided to finally take up Korea’s national sport and embark on our first hike. Novice trail,  they said — Gwanaksan, here we come!  It’s one of Seoul’s beloved mountains, and what an adventure it turned out to be. Our taxi driver told us that “san”  means mountain  and “ak”  suggests difficult  — which, we quickly learned, was no exaggeration. The hike starts near Seoul National University  and takes you up to the peak of the mountain  and the Yeonjudae Temple . All the K

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” — Seneca I imagined a conversation between two great minds separated by 2,000 years: Seneca, a Stoic philosopher of ancient Rome, and Gabor Maté, a modern trauma specialist. What insights might they share if they could meet across the centuries to discuss human suffering? Seneca noted that humans tend to anticipate and catastrophize — imagining worst-case scenarios, dwelling on fear, and ruminating on things that aren’t a

It’s summer time, which means a yearly trip to Europe from Seoul. Long-haul flights and jet lag are challenging, but one thing I look...

It’s Friday evening, and I’m getting ready for a party—makeup, dress, hair, nails… and the worries, all at once. My mind shows up early,...

🎶 Inspired by the song “Listen”  from Dreamgirls “Listen, to the song here in my heart - a melody I start but can’t complete. Listen,...

“Reach the stars, fly a fantasy. Dream a dream, and what you see will be.” The NeverEnding Story “To accomplish great things, we must...

Our Tokyo Adventure: A Family Trip Full of Wonder Our Tokyo trip was a whirlwind of excitement, surprise, exploration, and unforgettable moments. We surprised our girls with a day at Disneyland and packed our week with everything from ancient temples and lush gardens to panoramic views, pirate cruises, and the 100-meter-tall Godzilla! Day 1 – Arrival and Unwinding in Nature After arriving in Tokyo, we went straight to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden —an oasis of calm in the he

When a city of ten million pauses to light lanterns for peace, to honour something sacred and spiritual, you feel it. Not just with your...

There was a time when smoking a cigarette in a pub, train compartment, or even a cozy café was very common, at least in the Czech...

From Czech Carp to Korean Octopus — A Family’s Journey Through Taste and Time We didn’t set out to buy fish that day. We just wanted to...

This weekend was Easter weekend and our first Easter in South Korea.  We moved to Seoul about 11 weeks ago, and while I didn’t know...

As I wandered under the cherry blossoms, I couldn’t help but think of cherries, not the ornamental ones in Seoul, but the real,...

Reflection on Seoul’s fleeting blossoms, childhood memories in bloom and the price of fruit. In early April, Seoul transforms - it...

If you’re looking for a fun and affordable activity for all ages, the photo signature self-studio is a must-visit! Found on nearly every...

Diary of a Lost Seoul We’ve been living in Seoul for almost two months now, and from the moment we landed from England, I knew life here...

Diary of a Lost Seoul Week 1 | Feb 2025 When I first landed in Seoul, I knew life was about to change — but I didn’t realize just how...

The sun was out, unusually warm for March—22 degrees Celsius—a striking contrast to the snowfall and freezing temperatures just days...

This morning, in a busy coffee shop in Seoul, I did something different—something I’m oddly proud of. Guess what? Ordered coffee in...