While our husbands were off bungee jumping (which I will post ALL about for anyone local who wants the information), Missy and I headed into Asan with our combined eight children for a lowkey adventure. The Mediterranean Village was exactly the kind of adventure that we needed on a rainy Saturday.

Blue Crystal Village in Asan

Blue Crystal Village (also dubbed “Mediterranean Village”) is a series of streets in the middle of Asan that feel like they were taken straight out of Greece. I haven’t personally been to Greece (it’s on my lifetime bucket list), but I did watch The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants as a teenager, so obviously I’m an expert on Greek architecture. Okay, not really. But I will say that walking around Blue Crystal Village did feel like we were somewhere in the Mediterranean – which is kind of the point.

Of course our ridiculous hoard of blonde (plus one red-head) kids made for quite the sight walking around the streets with their brightly-colored umbrellas. But the rain actually worked in our favor because, for a Saturday, the area was more-or-less deserted. We were even able to snag parking spots for both mine AND Missy’s cars in a small lot near one of the entrances to Blue Crystal Village – which I think would have been impossible had it not been for the rain. And as another plus, it was about 60 degrees out even with the rain, so we weren’t cold by any stretch of the imagination.

This was the kind of thing that our husbands would NOT have appreciated. While Missy and I LOVED seeing the buildings and just feeling like we had entered a completely new country, our husbands would have been less entertained. So it was perfect to go when they were off partying on their own. And of course, we went and got some food – playing it safe with lunch at a Lotteria just outside of the village (because burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries are almost ALWAYS safe with a million kids), and then heading back into the village for some gelato that just about knocked my socks off (and I’ve had gelato in actual Italy *cue pretentious tone* so that’s saying something *end pretentiousness*).

Great weather (the rain did clear up after a couple hours), a fun new location, and great company made for a really perfect Saturday. And as the most hilarious finishing touch, Missy’s son, whom I will call “S” (8 years old) and L (6 years old) have officially declared their undying love for each other and are apparently boyfriend and girlfriend. And honestly, I think we would all be totally fine if they got married one day. I just hope S knows what he’s getting himself into. Ha!

This was such a fun and totally random place to visit (which is right up my alley). If you find yourself in Asan and are looking for something to do, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Mediterranean Village (and get yourself some gelato while you’re at it).

’til next time…

Ash

Photo credit: Missy Moore

How to visit Blue Crystal Village in Asan

Directions: If you paste 블루 크리스탈 빌리지 into Naver it should get you close to Blue Crystal Village – which has multiple entrances and is clearly marked (as well as easy to identify because the style of buildings are unlike anything you find in South Korea).

Parking: We were able to secure some parking spots at a small dirt lot right inside one of the entrances to the village. Whether or not it is an actual lot, I don’t know, but there were other cars parked there and when in Rome… There is a parking garage not too far away, but I feel anxious about those since I’m never sure if they’ll take my American credit cards, and there is always street parking when all else fails. That being said, there is a sign that says no cars within the village between 9am and 6pm – although I’m guessing that might be during weekdays since there were MANY cars passing through the narrow streets during our visit.

Food and shopping: One thing we were surprised by is the amount of thrift stores in the village (they are called “vintage” stores here). We visited one and got some KILLER deals (plus Missy bought a ridiculous and darling floral Adidas sweatsuit for H and I’m in love with it). It was my first experience with a thrift store in Korea and it definitely won’t be the last. Aside from many different vintage stores, there are also many different restaurants and cafés, as well as a 7Eleven, so finding food is not an issue.