han river cruise 1 - Gina Bear's Blog

Visiting Seoul South Korea for the Christmas season?

Comment CHRISTMAS, and I’ll send you my complete guide on where to eat in Seoul, see Christmas lights, and what to do during the most wonderful time of the year.

Having lived in the Land of the Morning Calm for almost 6 years, I know a thing or two about the Christmas season there.

Christmas in Korea is celebrated as a huge couples holiday. It’s even bigger than Valentine’s Day. Many businesses cater to romantic getaways and dinners for two.

The Christmas displays in Seoul are stunning and start on November 1st and usually go until the first week of January.

These are my all time favorite displays and I hope you’ll enjoy them for your photos too!

#christmasinspiration #christmasinkorea #seoulkorea #visitseoul #visitkorea | Korea travel guide, Christmas in Seoul, Christmas in Korea, Korea travel guide, what to do in Seoul in winter, winter in Korea, winter in Seoul, winter inspiration

Open

Comment Korea, and I’ll send you my comprehensive guide on what it’s REALLY like to live in South Korea from a local’s perspective.

My blog post is the no bs, no sugar coated, or fluff edition. I tell it like it is. The beautiful, the bad, and the ugly.

[Hi! I’m Gina and I’m a native Chicagoan who lived abroad in Japan and South Korea almost a decade! Follow me @ginabearsblog and I’ll show you how to travel solo in Asia and the USA!]

#lifeinkorea #lifeinseoul #expatlifestyle #lifeabroad #koreatravelguide | expat life in Seoul, expat life in Korea, life in Korea, expat abroad, life in Asia, expat in Asia, life in Seoul, how to move to Korea

Open

US Elections got you bummed?💌

If you’re trying to leave the country ASAP, I got news for you!

[Hi! I’m Gina and I’m a native Chicagoan who lived abroad in Japan and South Korea almost a decade! Follow me @ginabearsblog and I’ll show you how to travel solo in Asia and the USA!]

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is now accepting applications for their 2025 school season.

They close on November 15th at 11:59 PM HST.

If you’re looking to go to Korea, the EPIK program is still accepting applications on a rolling basis for spring 2025!

Comment “get me outta here” and I’ll send you my guide on how to apply for both JET and EPIK.

#uselection2024 #moveabroad #lifeinjapan #lifeinkorea #expatliving | how to move abroad, how to move to Japan, how to move to Korea, how to get out of the USA ASAP, Americans abroad

Open

Where to stay in Seoul: tips from a local. 🇰🇷

Comment Seoul and I’ll send you my blog post on the best places to stay, best hotels, and what to do in each area.

[Hi! I’m Gina and I’m a native Chicagoan who lived abroad in Japan and South Korea almost a decade! Follow me @ginabearsblog and I’ll show you how to travel solo in Asia and the USA!]

1. Insadong & Ikseondong - Perfect for those who want the traditional Korean experience.
2. @moxyseoul is EXCELLENT for getting rooftop views of Ikseondong Hanok Village.
3. Myeongdong - this area is perfect for the shopaholics and people who love street food
4. Hongdae- this is for the younger crowd looking to party like it’s 1999.
5. Gangnam- this is for the luxury travelers
6. Jamsil- one of my favorite areas for the chill vibes and proximity to amazing cafes, amusement parks and shopping.
7. Itaewon- also for the foodies! HBC has amazing restaurants and cafes
8. @banyantree_seoul - legit one of my favorite properties in Seoul

#visitseoul #seoulkorea #visitkorea #koreatravel #koreatravelguide | where to stay in Seoul, best places to stay in Seoul, Seoul neighborhood guide, Seoul travel guide, Seoul travel, Korea travel, Korea tips from a local

Open

This Día de Los Muertos, I’m remembering all those who have left.

Celebrating Day of the Dead means facing the fact that death is real and although our loved ones are no longer with us, we can remember them. Mexicans deeply believe our dearly departed are at peace in the afterlife. Their spirits return to be with us during the holiday.

My mom sets up an altar every year. Here’s some things that are always on it:
💀 Sugar skulls with the names of our loved ones
🍭Food, alcohol, and things our loved ones enjoyed in life
🧡Marigold flowers to guide our loved ones back
🐕‍🦺 A black dog to help protect the home from evil spirits
🪙Money for our loved ones to ferry back across the River Styx

I’m sad to see more names on the altar this year, but my entire life I was raised not to be afraid of death… for it is the next great adventure.

Tiffu, Hugo, Tyler, Mikey, Abuelita Elodia, Nono, and Nona, I miss you all. 💕

#díadelosmuertos #dayofthedead #diadelosmuertosaltar #mexicanculture #dayofthedeadmakeup | remebering our loved ones, day of the dead celebrations, Dia de Los Muertos celebrations

Open

What’s the scariest thing you’ve seen this spooky season? 👻👻👻👻👻👻

For me, it’s definitely the US economy…. And also I can’t stop laughing at my makeup from my Halloween costume in 1999.

We definitely would have benefited from YouTube tutorials back then. 😂

#halloweenislife #halloweenismyfavorite #halloweenhumor #halloweenmemes #halloweenforever | millennial humor, millennial misery, millennial life, Halloween season, Halloween is spooktacular

Open

Whenever I get down on life, I just remember all the incredible things I’ve been blessed to do.

🗾My first dream in life was to live, work, and love in the real Japan. So I applied to the @jetprogramusa and moved to Okinawa.
🎌I learned to play a three-stringed snakeskin banjo called the Sanshin. It is a traditional Okinawan instrument I have a fondness for.
🇰🇷I visited South Korea on holiday in 2014 and fell in love with the culture, food, and Seoul vibes. So I left Japan and went to live there.
📸During the pandemic, I learned a new skill… travel photography and I absolutely love it!
🐾 I adopted a fur baby and trained her to work as my service dog. I take her everywhere now.
🤠I liked Austin, so I moved there to check it out. Sadly, I wasn’t in love with it and that’s okay!
🎤One of my bucket list items was to speak at a conference… so I did. @latinotravelfest
🇲🇽I wanted to live in Tulum after I came back from South Korea… so I took my Honey Bear and went.
📖My entire life, I’ve always wanted to be an author. So I finished my first ever romantasy novel. It will be published under a pen name in 2025. I will also be releasing my South Korea Travel Book in 2025 as well.
❤️🤍🩵I’ve made it no secret I wanna go home to Chicago. Texas is not for me, and quite frankly, I hate it here. Worst state out of the 50 IMO.

What things are you terrified of not being able to do? What’s on your bucket list?

#liveyourbucketlist #bucketlistexperience #expatlifestyle #expatblogger #bucketlisttravel | adventure travel, bucket list experiences, travel inspiration, global travel, bucket list ideas, must-see destinations, dream destinations, lifetime memories

Open

Did you know Halloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays?

[Hi! I’m Gina and I’m a native Chicagoan who lived abroad in Japan and South Korea. Follow @ginabearsblog and I’ll show you how to travel solo in Asia and the USA!]

During the pandemic, I was really bored so I challenged myself to cosplay/dress up as all my favorite characters. I took inspiration from Harry Potter, Stranger Things, and Star Wars. To this day, these are some of my most favorite photos.

I also challenged myself to learn how to do cinemagraphs which was super fun!

Honestly, I can’t wait to move back up north so I can have a proper holiday season. It’s so depressing it’s still in the high 80s in October.

Texas has officially landed on my list as one of my least favorite places in the States.👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼

Which was your favorite photo?

#halloweengirl #halloweenislife #halloweencosplay #halloweeniseveryday #halloweenismyfavorite | Harry Potter costume, Stranger Things costume, Star Wars costume, Halloween inspiration, Halloween photo ideas

Open