Hot Springs, hold the sulfur

So it turns out that the hot springs here don't smell like sulfur, the way the ones back home do.  Guess these aren't caused by the same thing the ones in Thermop are.  Anyway, let me tell you about my weekend.

On Saturday, I got up at 8:15, figuring to leave by 8:45, which would get me to the metro, then to the pick-up in Osan by 9:50.  For those who are wondering, I have to take a bus to the metro, and it takes about 20-30 mins depending on traffic and how insane the bus driver is feeling.  The touring company was quite explicit about what happens if you are late - they don't wait.  So imagine my minor freak-out when the app on my phone told me that the train wouldn't come until 9:35, so I wouldn't get to my stop until 9:45, leaving me about 5 mins to find the pick-up point and hope that the bus wasn't early.  I need not have worried.  Not only did the train come at 9:22, but when I found the bus (walked right past it at first, came back and saw the sign in the front), we sat for a good 20 mins waiting for people to trickle in.  I think that bus was only for that one pick-up spot... and most of my bus mates were quite definitely from the Air Force base.

Anyway, since I was on my own, I ended up sitting with the lady from the touring company.  We talked most of the way to the hot springs.  She's been here for 6 years and is originally from VA.  It was a nice chat.  We got to the spa after about an hour or so driving (everything seems to take an hour or so in Korea... don't ask me why).

At the spa, they got the guys tickets, then the ladies tickets.  To get in, you had to scan your ticket, then you went to the shoe locker area.  The number on your ticket was the number of your locker.  That part was a lot like a jimjilbang - you locked your shoes in, took the key, and that key would open your locker in the changing room.  The key went around your wrist or arm - no chance to leave it somewhere.  Here's the difference - the key was also your charge card for the day.  If you wanted to buy food or drinks, you touched the key to a special pad and at the end of the day you paid before you got your shoes.  It was really interesting.  (Full disclosure, that could have been exactly like a jimjilbang - when I went we soaked, slept, and left.  Food and drink did not happen.)

I decided not to wear my suit top because it REALLY doesn't look good and/or fit anymore.  So I wore my bottoms and a bra-let that I brought with me with a Jimmy Hendrix tank top from S over it.  I dare say, it looked quite good.  I did order a suit from Amazon to be sent to Mo so that she'll bring it when she comes to visit in A MONTH!!!

Speaking of jimjilbangs, part of the spa was like a jimjilbang in that if you wanted to soak in pools all naked with other ladies, you could.  If you wanted to wear a swimming suit and go into the mixed area, you could do that too.  That's what I did.  I got in and made a bee line for where I saw bubbles... I sat for about 30 mins enjoying the jets on my back, legs, and feets.  Then I wandered outside to a warmer pool and met a bunch of people.  One of them, M, was someone that I had met when I went with this group for the autumn leaves hike.  She and I ended up hanging out the rest of the day.  So we soaked there for a bit, then decided to check out the bar.  The pool that lead to the bar was COLD!  I think they did that on purpose so that people wouldn't stay there and drink all day.  After that I went for the warm pool again.  Before we left, we checked out the dry sauna for a while.  Then we decided to jet out since we had to leave by 4.  We ended up hanging out for a bit (of course I had my kindle with me, so I was able to read more of The Stand).  Then it was back to the Osan stop, onto the metro, onto the bus, walking home.  Genius that I am, I forgot to bring a plastic bag for my wet stuff, so I had to carry that all the way home.  I was so happy to be able to hang it up and warm up my hands!

So once I got home and had something to eat, I decided that it might be a good idea to go grocery shopping.  I went to Emart and got most of the staples that I use.  For fresh stuff I'll hit up some of the smaller marts around.  I also splurged (cuz Christmas) and bought myself a bottle of Jameson.  I blame Godsmack... I listened to 'Whiskey Hangover' on Friday.  OH!  Also on Friday, my order from Holy Clothing came in - that's right, I got my Celtic looking shirt and dress on Friday!  I washed them on Friday night and they're finishing drying now... stay tuned for pix.

And that was my Saturday... on to Sunday.

Sunday I met up with M(C) at 10:00 to head into Seoul.  He was on a mission for a book, so I took him to Itaewon Foreign Bookstore.  It was fun, even though he didn't find the book.  We had coffee until it was time for my haircut.  I went to get that done and then met up with S at McDonald's (what IS it with guys at that place?!).  We ended up at a lip syncing competition that his girlfriend was in.  After that we all went for dinner at Vatos.  So Sunday was pretty chill.  Now I get to look forward to midnight Mass at the cathedral on Tuesday night, Christmas b-fast at J's place on Wed, then a day of watching movies in my pj's.  :)  I am excited, it turns out that S has 3 cans of Hatch green chili's, so guess who gets to make some red chili soon!  Hehehee... I may need to go on a hunt for chili powder.  I know where I can get some jalapenos... FOOD, glorious FOOD!

 One of the performers for the lip sync.

 This lady didn't seem to be doing much lip syncing, but her performance was IMPRESSIVE.

I was photobombed by one of the winners of the catwalk competition.  She was super nice, and I could NOT get over her HAIR (yes, it's a wig).

All in all, it was a good weekend.  I'm making some beef stew at the moment, trying a new 'recipe' which is me throwing stuff in a pot until it smells good.  If it takes 2 hours to simmer, I'm not eating until midnight or so, which is ok honestly.  Tomorrow we head to Meyongdong for Midnight Mass at the cathedral.  Will keep you updated on how that goes.