in pursuit of Ultima thule

Two boys in Insadong. Totally didn't notice me.

Last night was my first time at a Jin jul bang, or a public bath house as we in Western Society tend to know them, although few of us seem to have ever ventured inside of their mysterious walls. My friend and I even had trouble convincing two of our other friends (one Russian and one American) to join us, and despite our best efforts at pursuasion, both seemed completely mired in the mindset that it was mostly just group nudity, segregated from the opposite sex. I for one just had to check it out, regardless of what we were about to face. It turned out to be clothed - mostly. The hot and cold saunas, the sweat saunas, the oxygen room, the gym, the hot salt room and massage area ( also luckily the cafeteria and computer room are also in this list) are all clothed. Only the change room, showers and hot pools are designated nude areas. If you want a full body exfolation or your eyeybrows plucked, this is also in the same vacinity, so those little less comfortable might also opt to do these types of things for themselves at home.

As for the home front, since I am currently trying to learn to skateboard, Ee-mo-nim came outside with me the other night to ' see what I've got', and ended up playing on the playground next to the
basketball court I was on! We went on her favourite from when she was a kid; a kind of rope balanced game with plastic discs to step on, and for the life of me, I could not get her to do anymore other than a
slight attempt at the rope ladder! Pretty rockin for 50years old!!

 Vendors at the street markets between Dongdaemun and Shinseouldong

Today we went to something called the Dream Forest in the north eastern part of the city, a kind of park, with a man made pond sporting a fountain from the centre, as well as winding paths and
trees in full cherry blosom bloom. They also have a petting zoo, which was temporarily closed, but it was na magical little place nonetheless! It was a girls 12th birthday who we were out wig for the
day, so we had a kim bap and fruit picnic with a GIANT cake to top it all off. So much cake that we not only had enough to completely satisfy everyone in our 19 people strong group, but also three other families and a group of 30 kids. Seriously, don't ask me how that was all possible. Some of the kids even had seconds!

I love the random characters here

Ultima thule
1. the highest degree attainable.

2.the farthest point; the limit of any journey.

3.the point believed by the ancients to be farthest north.