Milk Soda & Strawberries

This post will probably open the door to many different opinions but I feel fairly qualified to make this statement: Korean strawberries are the sweetest strawberries available! 

I have had fresh strawberries from North Carolina, Florida, California and Korea. California strawberries are huge, NC berries are small and sweet but the strawberries that I have had here in Seoul in the last two weeks are the sweetest. They have a beautiful red color and need no sugar at all. They are expensive but since it is 20 outside and every "fresh" produce that I've eaten in the last 2 months has been imported, these sweet, locally grown, $5/quart strawberries are worth every last penny!  

I have also tried a uniquely Korean soda, Ambasa. It is a milk based carbonated soda. Sounds a little weird and I'll admit we tried it before we knew what it was but we like it and have even bought it a couple of times since just for something different. 

Seoul in Snow

Snow. In the month of December it snowed 4 times. Never more than 3 inches at a time but enough to make the sidewalks and roads icy. Enough that by the 4th time was I over the snow and ready for spring; it was January 1. I am in for a long winter. The locals here tell me that this winter is the coldest in 35 years. They also tell me since there was less rain this past summer, it will be cold and snowy this winter. Yeah.

With all of that said, I decided on January 1, 2013, I would embrace the cold and snow and walk along the Han River and enjoy the outdoors. It was a rare morning with very few people out walking or driving. It was beautiful!

Yongsan Family Park

Even I know what this sign says!

War Memorial of Korea

Happy New Year from Seoul! It has snowed these past 2 days and after walking with Ryan to work, I took the opportunity to walk to the War Memorial of Korea.  This memorial honors all those who have fought and died fighting for Korea in all wars and conflicts. Knowing the history of the Korean War and the suffering and cold that the Koreans and solders endured, I found the snowed covered sculptures especially moving.