On May 19th I had a rare pleasure of playing a hostess anda tour guide to someone visiting from Canada. My friend Pawel, whom I know from my grad-student days, his lovely Australian wife Nicole and baby daughter Maya were in town. Pawel had a conference to attend, and his little family accompanied him. Pawel and I belonged to a large group of grad students who hung out in the Grad Club, devoured cheap chicken wings and beer at Shoeless Joe's on Tuesdays, devoured more chicken wings and beer at the Brew Pub and had an overall good time in Kingston, at Queen's. Those were the times... Our one day together we spent visiting Gyongbokgung Palace, roaming the streets of Insa-dong, checking out souvenirs and art, having tea and lots of Korean food. We met at noon in front of the Palace and 10 hours later we ended up in my house for one last glass of wine and some cheesecake, Korean style. It was a very, very beautiful day. I believe that Pawel and Nicole enjoyed the spectacular view from Naksan Park, although the walk was a bit tiring with the baby to carry up the hill.  

Wherever we went, Maya created quite a stir. I guess people in Seoul don't see many babies as young as Maya. It seems that a whole school visiting the palace stopped to admire Maya. Her dad Pawel called them her "fan club."  

At Jogyesa.

Enjoying the Daehangno night scene.  

Pawel and Nicole tried omija and ginger tea respectively, while Maya stuck to her favorite drink.  

How can you visit Seoul and not have a tofu lunch complete with Korean beer. Nicole and I at a restaurant in Insa-dong.  

Acting Korean: Pawel, the sleeping Maya, and I.  

Playing tourists in Seoul, Gyoungbokgung Palace, Nicole, Pawel, Maya

In the garden behind the Gyongbokgung palace.  

A nice little family of tourists.  

At Jogyesa: Nicole, Pawel, Maya and I.  

Lanterns of all colours at Jogyesa.  

White lanterns at Jogyesa.  

At the beautiful and refined Korean traditional restaurant "Deul-Peul" in Daehangno, where I took Nicole, Pawel and maya wanting them to saviour things Korean. They seemed to have enjoyed the experience, although I could tell that Korean food and drinks will never make it to their list of favourite cuisines. 

Maya by the amazing spread: Korean traditional 'han-jungshick" - a full-course traditional meal.  

And a close-up of the little Sleeping Beauty. The kind waitress went into trouble of explaining that all cushions were freshly laundered and changed.  

The after dinner clean-up. Taking care of our cheecks: Maya's are looked after by her mom Nicole, mine by my loving hand and medium-priced Korean make-up.  

Daehangno's food stalls through the fresh eyes (Pawel). A whole lot of seafood.  

A view from 'my' park Naksan. After a long eventful day, we took a steep walk from Dahangno across the hill of Naksan park to my house. Pawel took this photo of Downtown Seoul from the highest point in the park.