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Cafes and Bakeries, Dining & Drinks, November in South Korea, October in South Korea, September in South Korea, SOS Seasonal Pyeongtaek Guide: Fall
Pumpkin Spice Season in Pyeongtaek
Pumpkin Spice Lovers, we’ve got your back. It’s pumpkin spice season in Pyeongtaek and we have a list of lattes to try. (updated September 2023) About Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Pyeongtaek US ex-pats are very lucky in Pyeongtaek because a few coffee shops cater to our weird fixation with pumpkin spice by creating their own homemade recipes. Each pumpkin spice recipe is a little different and all of them are pretty darn tasty. These lattes are not going to taste like Starbucks. Instead, they are rich and sweet concoctions that…
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The struggles of aging in South Korea
I love Korea for so many reasons: the food, the security, the gorgeous beaches and temples (especially the ones besides the sea), the hiking routes, the inexpensive and comfortable transportation, and fast internet speed. However, one thing I find hard to digest in South Korea is the obsession with looks, looking young and flawless forever, and the “fear” of getting older. I come from a country in Europe where getting older is not a negative thing, as both women and men seem to accept their aging and are playful about…
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Adjusting to the New Normal
Change is always hard, whether it is planned or not. It can be exciting, yet the unknown can be a source of worry and anxiety. If it is a sudden change, then how greater is the anxiety? Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has changed the way of doing life in a short amount of time for the entire world. This change has caused governments to have to figure things out on the go, which also causes minor to big changes to happen constantly. How do we adjust and keep…
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What to expect when you’re settling into a new culture
I’ve moved several times in my life to cultures quite different than mine. I’m originally from Romania. I’ve always oscillated between maintaining my cultural heritage and identity while engaging with local people and the wider society that I’m living in. In South Korea, for the first time in my life, I decided not to learn the language (for several reasons, but mainly because I liked being somewhere where I don’t understand what people say; it minimizes my anxiety level somehow.). Because of my decision, however, I have had some difficult…
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How to take care of our mental health during COVID-19
With all the changes and uncertainty in our lives at the moment, taking care of our mental health is more important than ever. Luckily, the internet can provide us with a wide range of resources that can help us keep our motivation and focus on what we have power over. But sometimes it can be difficult to know where to begin. Many of the world-renowned specialists, counselors, life coaches and doctors have their own websites where they upload books, videos, and information on how to deal with difficult times. Especially…
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How to combat a low mood during COVID-19
As the number of COVID-19 infections rises across the globe, it is hardly surprising that our mental health has also increasingly taken a toll. Anxieties are elevated as there are many uncertainties at this point, and life as we know it has seemed to change indefinitely in recent months. Here in South Korea, people have had to wear masks when out in public, schools have been closed, and students have had to switch to online learning. Businesses and companies have also had to implement work-from-home policies in order to slow…
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Culture & Community, Dating & Relationships, Fun & Entertainment, Indoor Activities, Kids and Family
Get Hooked on Pyeongtaek’s Fishing Cafes
(Update 2022/April) About Fishing Cafes Fishing is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or gender. But have you ever imagined fishing in the basement of one of the multi-story buildings in Pyeongtaek? Fishing Cafes offer a unique experience for an afternoon of family fun or something different to try with a date or group of friends. Fishing at a fishing cafe is a fun and different experience – even for seasoned outdoor fishers. You cast into a pool filled with fish, using what looks like moist cat food as…
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Masks: Function Meets Fashion
Embracing masks as fashion and function in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
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Four More Temples around Pyeongtaek
About Buddhist History in Korea Korea has a long and rich Buddhist history and is home to nearly a thousand temples. There are so many temples in Korea that I am constantly discovering more and more temples. Each temple compound is beautifully unique and offers a quiet refuge to meditate or seek peace of mind. Korean Temple Etiquette Before you go, read up on Korean temple etiquette. Jeongtosa Temple (Pyeongtaek, Anjung-eup) Beautifully landscaped grounds, giant golden Buddha, large stone Korean Buddha of Medicine, 5 story stone pagoda, and a panorama…
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Korean Temple Etiquette
By: Angela Alvis, South of Seoul volunteer Temples are sacred places of worship, places where Buddhist monks and nuns live and practice. They are also historic sites that welcome visitors so don’t be shy about visiting temples, even if you do not practice Buddhism. Korean temples are unique because they are usually larger compounds consisting of many buildings and structures, although the entire grounds are considered “the temple”. At Korean temples you will likely see gates, pagodas, a large Buddha hall, and several other places to worship or do walking…
