Bouldering Gyms

Last week one of my younger students came in to chat with me before class started.  We were discussing our favorite summer activities and I told him I loved rock climbing.  The next day, as soon as I walked into school he came bouncing out of his class to give me a brochure for a climbing gym in Songtan and Pyeongtaek.  He said he went with his parents and had a really great time.

 

Although I knew this gym was in Pyeongtaek City, I hadn't realized there was one in Songtan.  I hadn't even thought to look. Of course I had to to check it out.  I mean, it was recommended by a third grader. 

The gym is about 5 minutes walk from Seojeongri Station.  It's only bouldering, but that's fine with us.  We climb outside on weekends so we are just looking for a place to train a few hours during the week.  The owner and climbers were very welcoming.  Sure, they didn't speak much English, but you can figure things out.  The Harri-bou-bou will be joining the gym after summer holiday and I will most likely join this winter.

They gyms are open Monday - Friday but closed on the weekends.  

They stay open until 10 or 11pm.

The price is 80,000 a month.

Discount for couples membership.

Discounts for 3, 6, 12 month plans.

Not sure the price for kids/families.

They don't usually do single use.

There is an are for storing gear.

 

Songtan:

Name: 평택클라이밍센터

Address: 경기도 평택시 이충동 467-8

(Where we went)

 

Pyeongtaek:

Name: 평택클라이밍센터

Address: 경기도 평택시 비젼동 818-3

(We haven't visited here)

숯고개부대찌개: Budae Jjigae

In our lives, when it's rainy or cold, there are two things we eat: Budae Jjigae and Kimchi jjigae. Thankfully, Songtan is one of the best places ever for Budae Jjigae / 부대찌개 (also known as soldier stew) since it's where it all started.  

We have eaten this dish everywhere we go, but one of our all time favorite places (maybe our favorite ever) is at the end of the shopping street in front of Osan Air Force Base.  It's on the left and you will miss it if you blink.  The restaurant is two stories, very small, with seated tables on the first floor and floor seating on the second.  We recommend ordering at least one round of ramon noodles with the stew as they soak up the flavor perfectly.

If you don't know what Budae Jjigae is, it's a spicy stew made with sausages, spam, and ham, onions, scallions, and deliciousness. 

It's a lot of food so come hungry!

Name: 숯고개부대찌개

Street Address: 경기도 평택시 신장동 325-12

Driving Address: 경기도 평택시 쇼핑로 39-1

Telephone: 031-666-2768 

5 Fun Things To Do In Pyeongtaek

River Walk

Ode to Pyeongtaek Life

Let's be honest,

at first glance, 

Pyeongtaek might seem
 kind of lame.

However, if you live here for a while,
and you don't always go away on the weekends,
you will learn
it's actually magical.

Here are five of fun summer favorites

Afternoon laziness at Soho Cafe & Gallery:
http://chasingatale.blogspot.com/2013/02/soho-hobo.html


Hiking in the mountains:
http://chasingatale.blogspot.com/2013/05/hidden-mountains.html

BBQ's at Pyeongtaek Lake
http://chasingatale.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-luvn.html
There are actually lots of lakes for you to visit, but Pyeongtaek Lake is the most known and has the widest variety of services.

Farm-to-Table Dining

http://chasingatale.blogspot.com/2012/07/hidden-valley.html
One of the great parts about living here is that it's the center of Korea's Organic farming (and agriculture in general).  There are many restaurants located in the countryside that focus on farm-to-table traditional cooking.  The food is outstanding and worth the trip into the unknown.

Hell'a Golf

Yah, I know this isn't everyone's thing, but if it is you are in the right place.  There are at least a dozen golf courses of varying styles and types around Pyeongtaek or neighboring areas, along with an endless number of driving ranges.  In fact, there are so many we don't even know where to begin.  This summer we will do more shopping around and put together a more detailed list, but just know - Golf is everywhere around Pyeongtaek.

Lake Hills Public Golf Course

History and Solitude

Pyeongtaek: To Do

Sightseeing

When the days are busy

and my thoughts too many,

I find a thinking spot.

On Saturday I combined little thinking with a little learning by

visiting the grave of a Pyeongtaek hero Won Kyun

which happens to be 15 minutes from my house.

Read more about him by CLICKING HERE

or reading below.

How to get to this thinking spot:

Address: 경기도 평택시 도일동 475

Naver Map: http://me2.do/FHbYVo1D

Baguette Sandwiches

While looking for parking to go get my haircut, I was shocked to see this new sandwich shop had popped up. Although I've never been to Vietnam, I'm a fan of Banh Mi since was back in the day due to a life lived in the international district in Seattle where I could get one for $1.25 and lived off of them. Of course it's been almost 20 years since then and now these fresh sandwiches are a lot more vogue and a lot more expensive.  That said, they are still just as worth it.

Like them on Facebook

Although they have a variety of options, I went with the classic Vietnamese ham with extra cilantro since I'm a bit of a cilantro slut.  As I chowed down I realized this would be a great place for vegetarians (not vegans) to grab a bite of lunch, so I asked them if they would make the sandwich with only veggies and no meat if people asked and they said that they would.  So know that is an option if you are out and about.

Another plus, very affordable and huge.  If I wasn't starved I could have easily split this with someone.

LOCATION:  Just down from JJ's American Diner and across from BANG in Anjeong-ri.