A dream of ones own cafe

I’m in the middle of finishing my first pop song novel. And as with most challenging things, I’m making that final push towards the finish line as my writing retreat enters its final days. Seoul has been a great artistic escape. I couldn’t have landed in a better place to get my creativity on.

What some people thought was strange, absurd, improbable, illogical was what I needed to put thoughts into actions and create productions. Of course, I am unsure if my pop productions will sell but that is the gamble in life. It’s a gamble that so many Koreans take in opening up cafes in Seoul.

The dream of Seoul (for foreigners, countryside folks, and natives) is to have a piece of it for yourself, and for many it is in the form of a cafe. Today I’m in a cafe with penguins. Last night I was in Little Latin America. Yesterday I was in an elegant black & white cafe that got the decor perfect and then added to it with Charlie Chaplin figures on the wall.

Owning a piece of a dream in life is not just The American Dream, which I ran from; it is a struggle to be more than your insecurities want you to be, to do more than your slacker colleagues want you to do, to think more than your people think is wise to think…a dream is worthy of hard-work, sacrificing at night out at Club Naked, quitting that overhyped uni job in Seoul (that’s right damn those five months of paid vacations).

A dream is a blueprint for what you can and will be once your real peeps support you and you get into the zone. “Don’t let me get in my zone….I’m definitely in my zone…”

Directions to Coffee Break-Season 1: Sinchon Station (Green Line). Exit 6. Make left at corner and walk straight up. Coffee Break is on your right, before Sogang University entrance.

Porcelain Cup (Japanese Cafe)– Anam Station

“…A barista at Cofffee Project suggested this Japanese Cafe for a unique experience. Japanese coffee, I’m told, is roasted long and gives a strong, bold taste. I liked the cafe because it had an old school salon feeling with light jazz music and dim lights. The porcelain cups added to its classy sophistication. My Chinese Quince tea was a nice blend of citrus and sweetness. My friend’s said his…”
Porcelain Cup (Japanese Cafe): FB photos & review

Dongguk Station — Morning Calm

“…After taking my Spanish class, I would often walk Namsan Tower to enjoy the fall foliage. I treated myself one morning to tea (a flavor selected by staff) and traditional snacks (kind selected by staff). The tea and snack are not memorable (lol, I can’t think of any adjectives for them), but the serene feeling of the early morning was the calm that people seek in yoga or a walk along a city stream or climbing Namsan or even having a smoke alone. Life gets crazy (porque la vida es una cosa loca); you can get crazy with it or watch the craziness from a cafe. If you can find a piece of the that famed “Morning Calm,” Seoul will…”

Morning Calm: FB photos & reviews

Directions: Dongguk University Station (Line 3). Exit 6. Walk straight through the park and it is before the Dongguk University entrance and the staircase leading up to Namsan Tower.

Anguk Station– HABIT Tea Lounge

“…What a peaceful, serene space tucked up high above the bustling city. Instantly walking in, I felt at ease and ready to let my mind escape the worries of life’s new chapter. The lovely staff woman, answered all my questions and suggested I try the Buckwheat tea if I was to continue in my detox mood or Lemon Pomegranate if I wanted something a little sweet. I chose the latter and the tea only sweetened my time gazing out the window. Far away…”

Anguk Station– HABIT Tea Lounge : FB photos & reviews

Directions: Anguk Station (Line 3), exit 1. HABIT is in the same building as Amandlier and directly in front of the police station. Phone: 02-734-9118

Anguk Station — Tea Therapy

“…For some reason, I was looking for an ostentatious structure, but upon phoning the staff, I realized I walked right pass it. It was a humble hanok hidden in plain sight. Upon peering through the wooden door, a burst of bright light hit me. It was a nice, welcoming cafe on that chilly afternoon, as the frost of winter lingered. A lovely lady of tea..”

Anguk Station — Tea Therapy: FB photos & reviews

Directions: “To get to Tea Therapy Haengrang, go to Anguk Subway Station Line 3, Exit 1. Turn right as you exit, then turn right again at Starbucks. Walk straight for several blocks. Turn right at the end of the road. Tea Therapy will be on the right. The flagship store is located near Apgujeong Subway Station Line 3, Exit 2.” (great directions for anguk)

Itaewon — Chai Night

“...Rishi Lab did not disappoint; in fact, the Chai Latte and Milk Tea were the perfect selections for a wintry evening of reading and writing. The Chai Latte was milky with a hint of sweetness and subtle spices. The Milk Tea was smooth but lacked any sweetness, yet it was not bitter. The Milk Tea was a bit strong, but nothing sips of water couldn’t balance out. The teas provided a calming aura that helped to release the stress of writing the next, great travel article (lol). And the mellow jazz music was at a perfect volume, so it enhanced and encouraged writing instead of being intrusive. Rishi Lab has…”

Chai Night — Itaewon : FB photos & review

Directions: Itaewon Station, Exit 3. Go straight, cross the street and continue straight pass the big staircase. Rishi Lab is on your right side, in front of IP Boutique Hotel.