#17 of 2012: Skycrapers, Celadon and Kimchi: A Korean Notebook by Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo
I actually read this the last week of January (it’s February in the Philippines already!)! Forgot to include it in last month’s set. Anyway! I found this in one of the university’s library, and was both happy and sad with the fact that it existed but couldn’t be borrowed. It was such a precious copy, I was only allowed to read it in the reading room. Still, what an opportunity! I picked it up out of curiosity of how Seoul seemed and felt like back in the 80s, which was the time Cristina Hidalgo lived for three years with her family, because well, you know, I have become obsessed about Seoul/South Korea ever since the November trip from last year. I liked how Hidalgo was able to paint a picture of South Korea with both an insider’s and outsider’s (as a Filipino) account. There were lots of comparing and contrasting culture-wise, such as in employment and women’s issues, and I enjoyed them. Hidalgo’s writing was also easy on the eyes and mind and I’m looking forward to finding more of her writings, especially another of her travel notebooks.
Yay!s
-Hidalgo wrote stories through the different seasons! Although some weren’t really rooted weather-wise, it was alright since she was still able to describe a vivid portrait of Seoul during various times.
-A quick read but one that you’d def pick up again, especially after or for a trip to Seoul!
Boo!
-Since it was a personal travel diary, the book of course centered on most of Hidalgo’s life, which heavily focused on work, education, and relationships/family. I wanted more travel!!
*How sad that there’s no photo of the actual book cover anywhere online
