Limon

Linda and I enjoyed an excellent brunch last weekend at Limon. While Linda ordered several of the ceviches, I felt a bit left out because most of them had bivalves (I'm allergic) or calamari (I don't like).


But my veggie omelet with sweet potato fries did not disappoint. It was truly terrific. Plus, Linda had a Groupon, which enabled us to get a whole lot of food for not a lot of money. Highly recommended.

Go Giants!

I'm not embarrassed to say I'm a fair-weather baseball fan. When my team's winning or the weather is nice, I'm interested. So, when my adopted hometown's team is in the World Series, I pay attention.


I'm also not ashamed to admit a crush on pitcher Tim Lincecum. First, he's very graceful and a joy to watch. Second, he's so darned cute - in a dorky, earnest way.

Seoul Food

I only had about 48 hours of free time in Seoul, but you'd never guess it by the amount of good food and drink Jean and I packed in!


Our culinary adventures ran the gamut from wine bars and tapas ...


To lattes ...


To seafood pancakes ...


To traditional bibimbap ... (which I was stirring in the earlier photo)


To classic tea and rice cakes. Yummy!

Scenes from Seoul

City skyline.


This is a Buddhist temple near the AP office.


Cool spot at an outdoor mall.


Gotta love the street snacks!

Himalayan Restaurant

One of the many highlights of my trip to Korea was dinner at an incredible Himalayan restaurant in Seoul.


Jean managed to combine two of my favorite things - dance and vegetarian food!


The costumes, the music and the ambiance were mesmerizing.


Click here for a quick video.

Chautauqua

I'm spending the week with my co-workers at Chautauqua in Boulder, CO, which is in the throes of autumn splendor right now.




SF colleagues Benita, Melinda and Jillian.


Can you picture a better spot for an after-work stroll?

The Korean Demilitarized Zone

Call me crazy, but the main thing I wanted to do in Korea during my incredibly limited free time was to tour the DMZ. This "no-man's-land," 160 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide, cuts the Korean peninsula roughly in half. It's also the most heavily militarized border in the world. I couldn't help but be reminded of pre-1989 Berlin.


A South Korean checkpoint.


Entering the Joint Security Area (JSA) or Panmunjom.


The Bridge of No Return where POWs were exchanged.


A view into the North from the South.


A South Korean MP stands guard in a JSA conference room. An Army PFC leads our tour.


A lone North Korean soldier stands guard.

Cool Korean Stuff

1. Kimchee for breakfast.
2. Waiter call buttons on the tables at restaurants and bars.
3. Wash and dry toilets.



4. Clean and bright subways.


5. Being known as "Miss Kim."

Korean Street Food

I'm not entirely sure, but I think she's making kimchee.


Veggies are predominantly pickled and spicy.


Or fried ... I enjoyed tempura chili peppers.


This woman prepared the most incredible fish and seafood on a propane grill on the street. Yum!


My colleague, Tim, chowed down on clams.

Busan

Busan, formerly Pusan, is home to about 3.6 million people and is the largest port city in South Korea.


My hotel is right on Haeundae Beach, so I walked along the boardwalk yesterday.


I stumbled on a giant commercial fish market.



It was one of the many times I couldn't decipher the signs.


But when they're pulled from the tank and flopping around in the baskets, even I know they're fresh.

Jean and Family

When I arrived in Seoul about 4 p.m., I immediately connected with a large contingent of Jean's friends and family who are finishing up a visit with her. She took us out for a old-fashined noodle dinner. I was too hungry to take any photos before we ate. Let's just say I ate some pork. And I am still alive :)


Jean


Trina, Jean's NYC friend who now lives in SF.


Jean's niece, Kira.


The photo fails to reflect the sheer insanity the street - Times Square on steroids.

More HSBG

One of the acts I was most interested in seeing last weekend was James McMurtry. He's an incredible songwriter and his live performance did not disappoint. He's the son of novelist Larry McMurtry and his storytelling ability proves it.


One act that was an unexpected delight was Nathaniel Rateliff. I don't know how best to characterize his music, but I suggest you check him out. It's definitely unique.

Steve Earle and Family

While Allison Moorer and her sister Shelby Lynne performed on the Porch Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass yesterday ...


... Allison's husband, Steve Earle, and their son John Henry hang out in the audience.

(My personal highlight of the two-day music festival.)

California Wine Merchant

I ventured out into the Marina (egads!) to check out the California Wine Merchant. It doesn't sound like it, but this hole-in-the-wall is a lovely little wine bar. Most enjoyable.