Creepy Babies

Boy oh boy do I ever love the Seoul Toy Museum in Insadong!!!! I took something like 200 photos in there. The place seems to be operated privately by an eccentric old man and the collection consists of an array of random toys old and new. The museum is so kitchy and strange with its mix of old movie posters and strangely racist toys, and cute, over-the-top Asian toys. And clutter everywhere! The walls are covered and every inch of the museum is being used to display items. This place is by far my favorite place in Korea and it only costs 1,000 Won to enter!!!!!

Sugar Glider Man

In the busy streets of Insadong, there was a crowd surrounding something. As I got closer to see what that thing was, I discovered it was none other than Sugar Glider Man, this sweet dude my boyfriend and I had previously seen a few months back on the subway. He had 3 on his hat and one Sugar Glider crawling on his hand. Sugar Gliders are soooo cute!!!!!

Basket Full of Kittens

Cute or creepy? I saw this basket full of fake kittens last weekend in Insadong and fell in love with these little faux monsters.

A Fine Sunday Protest

I always enjoy the thrill of a nice protest in which the participants are shouting in a language that is entirely foreign and unfamiliar to me. At first, I felt a bit hesitant to join in with the excitement, being a foreigner and all. But after the all of the friendly smiles from angry Koreans I received, I figured I was in the clear for snapping as many tourist photos as I wanted. I am sure glad I didn't stumble onto an Anti-American protest on that day!!!

Antiques in Insadong

I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy the area of Insadong in Seoul. Although it is extremely touristy, I feel it is immensely popular for good reason. The streets and alleys are made of brick and much of the architecture is of an older style. There are mountains and temples surrounding the area and there are many antiques and interesting tourist trinkets to be purchased here.

I love the antiques and dusty old things for sale on the streets.
I love the smell of food cooking from carts as I walk by.
I love the hustle and bustle and people weaving through crowd.
I LOVE Insadong market!

Korean's flag held by a child

Today in Insadong, I wanted to take a picture of this cute tot with Korean flags. Her parents made her pose :)

Found! Vintage Korean pop cultural artifacts!

My new friend Anes and I spent the day in Seoul and wandered into a super hip little shop in Insadong's Ssamziegil shopping arcade. Score! I found my first vintage anything and all of the kitchy cute stuff at the store brightened my day! Don't worry, all of this solid gold I have been striking here in Korea is not always all for me- there is a good chance I may share some of my treasures if you are nice!

A blonde and a brunette striking a pose

anime style in this cute little poster.

Maybe this was made in the 80's?

Cute, eh?

I like that she is dropping her hamburgers
all over the place and they are
dancing around on the ground.

Even the bag the little shop used to
stuff my vintage goods into was pretty sweet.
The packaging was chip bags sealed
off into a new form.

Retro looking Korean paper dolls.
These girls might be fair skinned blondes,
but their paper doll clothes are 100% Korean!

The pixie sticks might have expired
in 2003, but we ate them anyhoo and
they were really good!

Some crazy pogs or something with
army guys on 'em. Pogs! Strangely enough,
kids here still play with pogs. OH YEAH.