It’s Christmas?!
I walked into work on the 24th and was greeted with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” from one of my coworkers. I looked at her blankly for a split second…huh, Christmas? Oh right, it’s Christmaaas! I responded with an overly enthusiastic, “Oh, Merry Christmas to you too!” It had completely escaped my mind that it was in fact Christmas Eve…
Christmas in Korea just didn’t feel quite as festive as it does back at home. Yes, Seoul does the whole shebang – trees covered in ornaments, the advertisements showing KPOP stars in cute Santa outfits, the jolly jingles playing in the department stores, and the ice skating in front of City Hall. However, once you venture out of the capital to say my good ol’ home in Yongin, well, it could be any drab winter day (except for the local bakery – they did a stellar job with the decorations, but they are the exception).
How did I celebrate Christmas Eve?
Haha, well, I didn’t. I got off work at 9:30 pm by which time I was too tired to think of venturing out in search of dinner, and by the looks of it, the pyjama-clad boy felt the same way. I curled up with a copy of The Historian instead and let my mind drift into the world of Dracula…Perfect reading material for the holidays, wouldn’t you say?
Christmas Day
This was a bit more exciting than the previous night’s lack of festivities – but still no turkey or stuffing in sight. Sam and I met up with some of my friends who recently moved here from Canada (hi Hannah & Dallas!) We opted for a Korean feast at a traditional hanok restaurant which consisted of galbi (갈비), bulgogi (불고기), and your typical assortment of side dishes like kimchi, sweet potato noodles, seaweed soup, potato salad, and a dish that looked a lot like frog legs (?) but could have possibly been crab…I guess we’ll never know.
The highlight of the meal – a bottle of North Korean wine, courtesy of our friends who had recently visited the DMZ. The wine was a lot thicker than your average bottle of Merlot, and tasted a lot like cough syrup; almost like a sweet liqueur but not quite. And the sediment floating at the bottom of the bottle, errm, that was to add a little extra kick.
And that was Christmas in Korea! A bit unusual, but certainly memorable.
메리 크리스마스!
What’s the strangest Christmas you’ve spent abroad?
* Funny. I just noticed the boy had commented on the short Christmas post I wrote last year long before we ever met. Who would’ve guessed that a year later I’d be spending the holidays with him… 🙂
This Christmas experience does sound a bit unusual, but after all you spent your Christmas day eating with friends – and that’s what it is like all over the world, right? 🙂 Merry belated Christmas!
The Historian is a great book! I hope you’re liking it 🙂
I’m hooked on the book at the moment! Such a great read.
Ha – sounds about right for Christmas in Asia. It feels so weird…
I’m looking forward to more Asian Christmases, but hopefully the next one will be somewhere without snow!
They always say “same same” in Asia and it is, sometimes it’s just a little different. Although it may not feel Christmasy you spent it together and that’s the most important.
Did you get some snow?
Happy New Year guys! Keep rocking!
We did get a little bit of snow! It looks like you had a good one too in shorts and a t-shirt. The Santa hat was a nice touch, haha 😉
You were together and added friends to the mix… that’s all you need for a Merry Xmas anywhere.
Exactly. 🙂 That’s all I can really ask for. I hope you had a great Christmas too!
I absolutely love that picture. You really have a thing for portraits!
Christmas abroad is always an adventure, a cultural one!
We’re just clowns for the camera. I hope you had a great Christmas too!!! 😀
Fireworks at midnight to kick off Christmas day. Well, now that I’ve experienced Christmas in Latin America for three years, that’s not so strange to me anymore 🙂
Fireworks! That kind of reminds me of the Brazilian Christmases I’ve celebrated in the past. The holidays are always a blast in Latin America! 😀
Maybe you guys can head back home for Christmas next year. I spent my last Christmas in China, so I know what you mean 🙂
Hehe, I’m sure my family would like that. Yours must’ve been super excited to have you back after living China and galavanting around Asia. 😉
I totally agree with you.. Although Christmas is some what glitz and glam (even the snow!!) here, I never really felt that actual Christmassy..? feeling. Nonetheless, It’s still great spending it with your significant other 🙂 Happy Holidays!!
Thanks Jace! I hope you enjoyed your holidays in Korea too. 🙂
I’m in Busan and we’ve got all the decorations up as well! And tons of parties on Christmas Eve
Sounds unusual but still fun 🙂
The pic is awesome! you just need to close your eyes a little bit 😉
I’ve yet to spend a Christmas abroad – the parents always want us kids home with the family for the holidays. But someday I’d love to be able to spend Christmas in another country, and Korea would probably be nice, with the snow and all (we don’t have snow in the Philippines, but we do throw an amazing and festive Christmas celebration!).
Happy new year! 🙂
Yes, if you want a snowy one, then Korea would be the place. We should trade spots text year. 😉
That’s crazy! In Germany, there’s Christmas markets and advent calendars popping up everywhere in November to remind you of Christmas 24/7, haha. And I get a 2.5 week vacay for the Christmas holidays so I can’t complain! 🙂 Hope you had a fun Christmas in Korea!!
That’s a nice break for the holidays! Perhaps even travel a bit around Europe?! 🙂
I need to get to Korea so badly. Such a huge hole in my travel checklist. Ugggg.
Have a great new year.
It really is a forgotten country when it comes to travel destinations. If I hadn’t accepted a job here, I doubt I would have ever set foot in Korea. That being said, it is full of quirks and surprises.
A happy New Year to you too, Michael!
Merry Christmas friend! Hope you are having a wonderful time there. Happy New Year as well. Hugs!
Thanks Colleen! I hope you had lots of fun celebrating back at home! Wishing you all the best in this coming year. xo
Recently, Asia countries are also celebrating Christmas. There will be christmas tree but without snow and santa.
My strangest Christmas was definitely the one in 2011. Actually it was probably the saddest because I was all alone and the whole city was just empty. And then I ended up getting food poisoning from the dinner I had!