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c h i k k a
d i s p a t c h
INTERVIEW BY
CHARMAINE BAYLON
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF ANA OLIVERA-PARK
YOUR GUIDE:
Ana Olivera-Park
LIVES IN:
Seoul, South Korea
WORKS AS:
A homemaker and
blogger,
HER NEIGHBORHOOD:
Hoegi-dong
in Dongdaemun-gu
I’ve lived in Seoul for more than nine years. I came here in 2003, two months after getting
married to my Korean husband whom I met in the Philippines. Seoul is a big city with 25
districts and more than 250 neighborhoods. We moved to Hoegi-dong in Dongdaemun-gu
just two years ago and what I love most about it is there are three surrounding universities. I
feel young seeing college students all day. Apart from that, I love that Seoul is a modern and
convenient city that’s rich in history and culture. There’s also a lot of events happening here so
there’s always something to see or do.
Seoul resident Ana Olivera-Park is thriving in a city that seems
to have everything — lots of trees, good food, an interesting
culture and a relaxed atmosphere, just to name a few
LOVELY ANY
TIME OF YEAR
Seoul is a city filled with trees. Cherry
blossoms turn pink in springtime;
everything is green during the summer,
while the leaves turn red, orange, purple
and gold in autumn. Come winter, the
trees may be bare, but your surroundings
will look dreamy with the snow. Each
season is a good time to go hiking and
breathe some fresh air. I don’t even have
to leave my neighborhood — the Korea
Forest Research Institute
(57,
Hoegiro,
Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul;
english.do)
has a forested hill that is open
to the public on weekends and it’s just a
10-
minute walk from where I live.
Join the locals and stroll
through the park
Life , s a breeze
Gyeongbokgung Palace
