Last Thursday we did the Speakeasy quiz again, and this time we came joint second.The second prize is that your team gets their entry fee back (the winners take the rest) so we had a beer chug off to determine second and third places.We volunteered Graham for this challenge, but he was up against Arlo, the beer chug, 'das boot' champion, so we knew we had little chance.Graham put in a good effort, but Arlo managed to down the 1 litre 'das boot' just slightly faster than Graham downed the 500cc glass of beer!We had a great time though, and it was nice to actually know many of the answers.After the quiz they played some 80's music, so there was just time for a quick dance before we came home.

On Saturday we took the early bus to Seoul, where we met up with Emma, a friend from home.This was the first time we had been up to Seoul alone, so we had to work out the subway system ourselves, and Graham's Korean reading skills came in very useful.We met up with Emma at the War Memorial Museum, which is next to the big army base in Seoul.The museum had information about all of the wars that Korea had been involved in, but particularly focused on the Korean War.It is in a huge building, and outside the grounds were filled with tanks, planes and other military vehicles.It was interesting, and free to go in, but not as graphic as I was expecting.After visiting the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Ming City I was expecting it to be similar, but this was not as gruesome!Graham got chatting to a Korean guy, who was eager to show him around and explain everything to him, so he had fun whilst Emma and I had a chance to catch up with 2 years of gossip! Koreans seem to really like Graham, as he is often approached by people wanting to talk to him (I think they like his smile!)

Later we met up with Emma's boyfriend, Matt, and his friend Mike at a Brazilian 'all you can eat' steak restaurant, called Mercado (nearest subway stop is Gangnam-gu Office).Meat is really expensive to buy in Korea, particularly steak, and at a Korean restaurant you usually get small or thin pieces of meat, so this was a real treat.For 30,000Won (about 17.00GBP) each we were given a selection of side dishes (mashed potato, rice, salad, etc) and then the waiters came around with various huge skewers full of meat!There were different cuts of beef, which they would carve at your table, veal, chicken, bacon, garlic beef and chicken hearts.They just kept coming round with the meat, and re filling the sides until we said stop.We ate so much we thought we might burst!

After the meal we met a group of Emma's friends at a rooftop party.We sat up there for hours just chatting, drinking and listening to people play guitar and sing.Later on a guy came along with his saxophone, which was fantastic.Many people put out snacks, and there was a BBQ, but the five of us who had been to the Brazilian restaurant couldn't eat another thing!We had a really chilled out evening, and it was great to see Emma after such a long time.

The next day we went to Namdaemun Market (nearest subway stop is Hoehyon station) with Emma.This was full of everything you could possibly want, though as it was a Sunday some stalls were closed.One thing that is lacking in Gwangju is tourist tat.I have been struggling to find gifts to buy for people back home, as there is nothing unique here, but this market was full of it!We spent several hours trawling through the stalls browsing and buying gifts. They also had shoes and clothes to fit western sizes so Graham managed to eventually buy some new walking shoes (which were a Birthday present from 2 months ago) and I got a dress.The stall owners were eager to barter, so we shall definitely be going back there before we leave Korea.

Last night, Tuesday, Graham went to the baseball and then we went out for some drinks for our friends Birthday, and to celebrate the start of my Summer Holiday.I have been doing some extra work for the last couple of weeks, so the five day break is definitely welcome.We plan to go camping, but we're just watching the news and seeing all the flooding that's happening near to Seoul.Let's hope it doesn't push south towards us!

Maggie x