Food for Thought 5 [Hallyu Wave - from a Fan's perspective]

[Disclaimer: all images used in this post are obtained from Google image search.  None of these are my own.  For my personal encounter with stars and respective filming location visits, I will upload my own photos in another post.]

Once we mention the word "Hallyu Wave", many of us already knows its meaning - Korean Wave - the increase in global popularity of South Korean culture through performing arts such as drama, movie and music. There has been many researches and articles already written on this phenomenon since its such an unexpected development with the potential to challenge the monopoly dominance that Hollywood was enjoying in the entertainment industry, at least in Asia. 

BUT I wouldn't bore you with all these academic arguments. Instead, I will be reminiscing about my love affair with the Korean entertainment. I am actually surprised and glad to have witnessed the beginning of Hallyu Wave myself.

List of My Travelogues

It's March 2017.

A whole 4 years since I started this little blog.  

So if you had been following my blog and reading all the posts, be it entertaining or downright boring, I thank you.  I am neither a writer with a great flair nor an expert photographer, yet you bear with me. You followed me as I opened the door into unknown through a whirlwind of my travels. Despite the prolonged silence that stretched over a few months, you are still here. For that, thank you, my dear readers!  

USA Trip Day 30 - 3 Oct 2014 - San Francisco Suburbs

I had to finish packing early as my highschool friend would pick me up around noon for lunch. 

We haven't seen each other since I was 17-18 years old so it has been a decade! I was happy our friendship remained the same despite being apart for such a long time. 

I don't know about others, but I very much prefer face to face catch up over emails or Facebook. I feel that giving time to be with each other shows sincerity in keeping that relationship, rather than just for show to others in social media. 

Do you know what else I was happy with? Lunch!

This family-run Millbrae Pancake House has been around for almost 60 years and I must say, pancakes were delectable. (But IHOP would still be my No.1, shhhhh)

USA Trip Day 29 - 2 Oct 2014 - Across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito

What a whirlwind voyage it had been! We took it slow today, and left home around 10am to visit Mister's late grandfather. After stopping by to get a bouquet of flowers, Uncle drove us to cemetery, where we paid our respect to the deceased.

After a brief stop at Target, we took a spin to Mountain View's Castro Street around noon for lunch. It's a lovely area with diverse options of restaurants, to spoil you for choice. 

 Mountain View's Castro Street

 Isn't it a delightful place to enjoy lunch al fresco? 

USA Trip Day 28 - 1 Oct 2014 - National Cathedral & Zoo in DC

After a full day of touring museums and sightseeing that covered several iconic buildings which formed the heart of the American political system, we wanted to do something completely different. So we diverged from our original itinerary and took a impromptu trip down to the National Cathedral & Zoo.

With a Virgin America flight to catch at 5:10pm, we managed to reach National Cathedral by 10:30am after a 30 minute commute using subway and bus (30S or 33 or 96). 

Gothic Architectural Style 

USA Trip Day 27 - 30 Sep 2014 - Smithsonian Museums

After an extremely light lunch, we prowled the many isles of various Smithsonian Museums. It was indeed a great way to escape the scorching hot afternoon sun. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex.  It is made up of a whooping 19 museums / galleries on top of the National Zoological Park! The best thing about this complex? Most of them are FREE and open almost everyday!

Smithsonian Institution's Castle

Open daily 0830-1730 (except Dec 25)

Completed in 1855, this building houses visitor centre, castle cafe and museum souvenir shop.

USA Trip Day 27 - 30 Sep 2014 - Home of POTUS & FLOTUS

Our first stop of the day - The White House.

We left Days Inn hotel around 10:15 am and took Red Metro from Van Ness UDC Station to Metro Centre Station, 5 stops away.  Along our short stroll from metro station to The White House, we felt a sense of tranquility and order, perhaps too rigid and strict, but without the jumble and chaos we witnessed in other metropolitans like San Francisco and New York City.

Definitely the cleaner part of the USA

USA Trip Day 26 - 29 Sep 2014 - Philly's Benjamin Franklin Parkway

After a light lunch at the Reading Market, we hopped on a bus towards the Benjamin Franklin Parkway - a scenic mile-long boulevard that starts at City Hall, curves around Logan Circle and ends before the Museum of Art. We reached the heart of Philly's cultural centre, comprised of several famous sights around 2pm.  Our plan was to take bus all the way to the Museum and walk back towards City Hall at leisure.

Museum of Art

Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (everyday except Monday)
Entrance Fees: US$ 20.00 per adult for 2 consecutive days access including entrance to the Rodin Museum 

USA Trip Day 26 - 29 Sep 2014 - Free and Easy Philly

We woke up, packed our bags, checked out of the hotel, left our stuff with the storage bell boy and left for breakfast at IHOP around 1030am. Oh my, that was my very first time at IHOP and I was asking myself why I didn't discover this place sooner?!! 

Amazing taste would be an understatement for a brunch at IHOP