There's always too much to love about this city and it brings my soul alive in new and surprising ways every time I visit. A part of me that lives dormant while in New York comes to life because I'm reminded of how I'm also part of another bigger collective people. There's nothing I love more than the opportunity to take part in the shared practices of my heritage in language, food, and community while I make the rounds of visiting family and catching up with how this city has changed. Sure in New York, there are enough Korean Americans that we can make our own breed and even own a sliver of this city to call our own (K-k-k-towwn!) but it only mirrors a small fraction of the greater energy and fast culture of Seoul.

walking through the Seoul History Museum and came across an advertisement of the Chosun Hotel dating from 1890. Slowly learning of the history of this city and its landmarks.

the best part of any vacation is the hotel breakfast

The Westin Chosun Hotel - our home away from home. This place has so much special significance to me because its context is richly saturated in the stories of my mother, who has filled my sisters and I with tales of her youth and who she was before she met my Father-- the life she lived in old Seoul, before Gangnam was the modern highlight its become today and Gangbuk was the peak of culture and sophistication.

We spend the bulk of our time in the upstairs lounge because of the endless coffee provided and the gorgeous view of the city's skyline

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located right next to historic palaces like the Deoksugong

what my mother and I love to take advantage of at the hotel is their incredible bathhouse. Perfectly moody and serene with a series of hot and cold baths

special meals @ Kwonsooksoo
masterful tastiness