Cat Cafe in Hongdae

Cat café

If dogs are a man’s best friend, cats, at least in their mind, are man’s imperial ruler.  The cat café in Hongdae, although the same concept as the dog café, is as similar to the dog cafe as inch worms are to noodles. They look the same on the outside, but anatomically are entirely different. Walking into the dog café, we were greeted at the door by several dogs sniffing our bags and shoes for smells and goodies from the outside.  The cats, on the other hand, made no acknowledgement that we’d even entered the room.  Servants are not worthy of acknowledgment.

The cat café was relaxing, the atmosphere, and mood reminiscent of a spa. Soft tunes hummed over the speakers, and slow movements part of the vibe.

Cats lounged around anywhere they felt drawn.  A cat walk above was home to at least five cats, their tails and legs hanging off at awkward angles. Korean ladies and girls sat comfortably on the floor with blankets with happily sleeping cats curled nicely in a ball across their laps.  Only a handful of men had come today. Sitting at the table, the cats, in usual fashion ignored us. So I moved us to the floor, where the cats paid us no more attention than at our table.  We soon discovered the secret to luring the cats in to our laps was not our calls, or willingly petting hands, but a cat treat of dried fish. The felines, once apathetic to our advances, were now wide-eyed and willing to climb into any lap, even an arch enemy’s lap, given that the treat was shared

We spent a little over an hour playing the luring game with cats, even persuading a few to sleep in our laps for a short time.

Kyle says he preferred the dog café, he is afterall, a dog person.  I’d have to agree, I enjoyed the dog café more, but the cat café was pleasurable on its on merits.

8,000 won at the door, and a free drink is included in the fee.

Used to be named Giocat but I think it changed its name...can be reached from Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 5; Hapjeong Station, line No. 2 or 5, exit 3; or Sangsu Station, line No. 6, exit 2. It’s close to the playground (by where the artist sell their wares) near Hongik University’s main gate..

Its on the fourth floor in a building near the Ho bar.

They even have a hairless kitty

The Dog Cafe in Myeogndong

Its not what your thinking... We didn't eat dog.  In fact a dog cafe is quite the opposite from eating dog.

A couple years ago, I posted about a bird cafe in Insadong (the traditional area of Seoul).  And only a few months ago, I posted about a "Dr. Fish cafe." Korea is funny like that. They're not an animal society.  That is, that traditionally, they haven't had domestic animals in their tiny apartments. So to compensate, Korea has created "cafes" for people to socialize with animals.  There are bird cafes, fish cafes, dog cafes and cat cafes.  There may be others, but I haven't heard of them.

We recently made our way into Seoul, Myeongdong, to be exact, just for the chance to play with some doggies.  We seriously have doggie fever. We miss having animals around so much, I sometimes throw a sock across the room just to see if Kyle will go fetch it.  If I promise to pet his hair, he'll pretty much do anything I ask. :)

Entering into the dog cafe, the fee is 8,000 won (about 8 bucks) but it comes with a free drink of your choice.  We sat our stuff down at a half eaten bench, but realized that the dogs didn't always come to you.  So we made our way to sitting on the floor.  I made the mistake of taking my green tea latte with me.  Some of the doggies found it and began enjoying my drink too.

After which, Kyle's boot was peed on. Obviously he was desirable territory needing to be marked.

When we sat on the floor, many of the dogs jumped straight into our laps wanting attention.  Many of the dogs however, were quite content taking a nap in their corner, or playing pull the other dogs tail with their friends.

The whole experience was surreal. There were at least 15 dogs out and about playing. A few of them, including an English bulldog became our favorite.  This English bulldog, probably my same weight wanted with every fiber of his being to be a lap dog.  And he didn't let his size put him off this goal.  He moved from person to person any time we kicked him off because our legs had fallen asleep with the weight of him.  He was quite a lovable giant.

We spent a good two hours in the cafe playing, laughing, and having our spirits lifted by the loveliness of the doggies. It was wonderful therapy, something I wish we'd discovered much sooner.


Directions:
From the Myeongdong subway station walk down the main street.
At the first intersection turn left, toward Uniglo.
Either the first or the second right, turn right.  Just as your turn right you'll see the picture with the doggy on it (on the right handside). (And happy feet behind it)

Hummingbird moth

When my co-teacher told me about this, I almost didn't believe.  Maybe there was something lost in translation, I thought.
"There is a moth that looks like a hummingbird." she said excitedly.  She loves anything about animals.  We share  this love of animals.
"Really?" I said incredulously.

So I looked it up on the internet...and low and behold, she knew what she was talking about.
They are medium to large moths witch mimic hummingbird behavior.  They fly about, wings beating quickly, sipping nectar from the vibrant flowers of gardens nearly as elegantly as the birds they mimic. But they are not birds. Not at all.  They are in fact MOTHS!

I had the pleasure of seeing one the other day.  Had I not been aware of its existence previously, I might have mistaken it for a hummingbird, but upon closer inspection, I saw that it was indeed a moth.  The same moth I had gawked at on the internet was flying around me. It was exhilarating being near such a strange creature.  Had I had my camera I would have caught footage, but alas, I was without.  So you will have to do with others photos.  I am astounded by nature everyday.  Its just so amazing.

heres the video (I didn't take it)

I have a new pet

One of the field trips we took with the kids recently was described to us as "about bugs."

"Okay" I thought, "this is going to be boring."

It was anything but boring.  And one of the treasures the kids, along with the teachers were given to take home as a pet was a caterpillar.  However, this caterpillar, if he can be called that, will not transform into a beautiful butterfly.  Oh, no!  Not this guy.  This guy will certainly make a cocoon, but his metamorphosis will be into entirely different; a Japanese rhinoceros beetle. Well, at least I think it's that beetle.  No one knows for sure.  In Korean it's called the "stag beetle" but we can't seem to find a proper translation.  Basically this beetle will be HUGE; 35-90 mm, around the length of a man's index finger.

 The kids were sent home with these beetle larva as well, except without any instructions other than verbal instructions.  Can you imagine being a parent, and having your kid walking through the doorway with a jar filled with soil and a larva as large as your child's fist??  My mom would have had a heart attack.  Why would they not send home written instructions to the parents.  Do they actually expect 3-6 year olds to remember what they were told to do with the creatures.  And when they grow into full sized beetles, they're completely equipped with wings.  They will fly, oh yes they will.

I've named him George Harrison after the Beatle (from the band) who is the "forgotten Beatle." He currently resides in his jar tucked away in our cabinet as we were told that he prefers the darkness.  He requires no care.  If his soil drys up, we are to spray it lightly with water, other than that, leave him to his business of eating, growing, cocooning and growing into a humongous beetle.  I can't wait to see him progress!  Maybe I'll even send him home to my family as a gift :)

Vampire deer

The DMZ, (Demilitarized Zone) is the area between North and South Korea that is used as a buffer zone between the two countries.  The Korean war, although not actually actively at war, has never fully ended.  They are in a limbo between war and peace. Fifty-five years ago, for better or worse, the countries came to an agreement, "we agree not to agree, but also not to war."  What is left is a highly unstable North Korea, and the most highly protected border in the entire world, the DMZ.  The DMZ for all intensive purposes cuts the two contesting countries in half on the 38th parallel.   It is about 2.5 miles wide and 160 miles long. 

One unexpected benefit arising from this fifty-five year hiatus of human-less land has created a Godsend for many of the nearly extinct animals of the Korean peninsula.  Because this area of land has been untouched by humans, flora, fauna and wildlife have flourished into a conservationists dream. Fifty animal species, and nearly 200 types of flora and fauna, have found a home in this highly contest strip of land.

One of these animals, the musk deer, is one of the rarities to emerge from the DMZ.  Known for it's vampire like fangs, this animals is often called "a vampire deer."  The canine teeth have extended to form a kind of tusk.  It's almost fantastical and many do not believe it until they see it.  On a field trip not too long ago, I had the privilege of seeing one of these rare vampire deer up close, behind a fence enclosure.  Here are the pictures from that experience.

And with the flooding comes...

crayfish???  During the cleanup, which was done primarily while the rain came crashing down around us, we discovered crayfish! I didn't know what they were exactly when I first saw them. I've only ever seen crayfish cooked, and much larger.
Upon seeing them, Kyle said, "Mmmmm, dinner!"
Of course Kyle recognized them right away.  He may not remember my name when we're 80 years old and living in a nursing home, but he'll be able to tell you the diet of each different species of lizards.
Are crayfish common in Yongmun? You may be asking.

I still haven't gotten a clear answer on this.  I have no idea where these guys came from.  We live near a river, but not on a river.  I'd never heard of freshwater crayfish, but that must be what they were, because there are certainly no oceans near us.

Because Kyle loves being manly, he begged that I switch with him for the day, and let him clean outside in the rain, while I take over his classes.  Preschool students were called and told not to come in; being so little, the currents running through our campus could have quite easily washed them away.  I obliged my puppy eyed husband although playing in the rain had in truth, sounded fun to me, I just can't say "no" to those eyes. And instead taught his classes.

The flooding actually was worse than I'd expected, more than 17 inches of rain within two days.  Landslides killed several University students, and Seoul was an absolute mess for a few days. Life went back to normal the following day for us, however, more rain, more humidity, but less torrential.

Did I mention the spiders?

We went on a walk a few weeks back on what is now (when it isn't below freezing) our running path.  Exiting the red brick colonial Virgina style school, we walked along the paved road five minutes, following the river/stream.  (I don't know what it is technically, but the water is only ankle deep).  Taking a turn across a bridge we passed farm homes.  We live in the country, far away from city life and yet, Koreans tie their dogs to yard long leashes.  This is the country.  This is where dogs should be free to roam free, eat bugs, run after squirrels but they are constrained.  Maybe Koreans feel that if they as a people are constrained, their dogs should be constrained as well.  I can't fathom what the reason is though. Why would someone own a dog, only to tie them up to a doghouse.  How can a pet be enjoyed that way?

 

As you can see, we are surrounded by mountains.  It is magnificent.  The view trumphs Seoul's gray lifeless, box buildings any day.  One of the farms was growing chilies.  At the end of the running path is a killer hill.  I never make it up all the way without walking some.  Even walking up the 90 degree angle leaves me heaving.  On our way back into the village we found some critters we couldn't help but take pictures of.  Praying mantises in Korea are huge, or maybe they are normal sized and praying mantises and I have had much acquaintance in the past. Either way, they are so interesting.  This praying mantis as seen below, was curious, either that or just dumb.  Do you see how he looks directly at the camera?

"That's right, I'm just chillin on the road.  Should I look at the camera or look uninterested?"

A while ago, I did a post about MASSIVE INSECTS  in Korea and I mentioned a spider, but didn't provide a picture.  Well here is a picture of a different spider, a much meaner looking critter.  I mean seriously, whos to say that critter isn't straight from a science fiction novel.  Toxic chemicals obviously transformed this ginormous spider into what it is today and I wouldn't be surprised to see a human-sized mutant form of this bug crawling around ready to fight the teenage mutant ninja praying mantises.  That should be a fight to remember.

We were trying to give perspective at his size, but were too frightened to get too close.

This web was an intricate weave of at least five webs, with several different kinds of spider all living harmoniously together.  It was like a spider commune.