My Story

Patrick was a quiet, thoughtful, and kind guest who stayed at Mario House during his journey through Seoul.

His parents were originally from Myanmar, and Buddhism had an important place in his life.

He was especially interested in visiting Buddhist temples and learning about Buddhist culture during his travels.

Even before eating, Patrick sometimes offered a short Buddhist-style expression of gratitude.

This was unusual and meaningful to see because it showed that his beliefs were naturally connected to his everyday life.

Patrick also enjoyed Buddhist art.

During his free time, he often worked quietly on drawings and artwork inspired by Buddhist themes.

He was not a loud or highly social guest, but he had a calm presence and a gentle smile.

Discovering Mario House through Julianne

Patrick discovered Mario House after watching Julianne’s Instagram Reel about her Seoul homestay experience.

Julianne had previously stayed at Mario House and shared an authentic video showing the home, local transportation, Korean food, tours, and time with other international guests.

Patrick was another traveler who decided to book Mario House after seeing her recommendation.

It was meaningful to see that a guest’s genuine travel story continued introducing new people to the homestay.

Unlike a traditional advertisement, Julianne’s video showed what daily life at Mario House actually felt like.

Patrick was interested in experiencing a personal and peaceful place to stay while exploring Seoul.

Preparing for His Arrival

Before Patrick arrived, he told me that his flight was scheduled to land at Incheon Airport at around 7:00 PM.

He initially considered taking a Kakao Taxi directly to Mario House.

However, a taxi from Incheon Airport could be expensive, so I recommended Airport Bus No. 6014 instead.

I sent him a detailed guide explaining where to buy the ticket, how to board the bus, and where to get off near Mario House.

Patrick also planned to purchase an LG U+ eSIM and a T-Money transportation card at the airport.

I explained that having mobile data and a T-Money card would make his journey around Seoul much easier.

After passing through the airport, he collected his T-Money card and boarded Airport Bus No. 6014.

He contacted me again when he reached the Gangseo Driver’s License Center area.

I guided him to the next stop near the hospital and met him at the designated pickup point.

He told me that he was wearing a green shirt with his hair tied in a ponytail, which made it easy to recognize him.

A Vegetarian Welcome Meal

Because Patrick was arriving late in the evening, I offered to prepare a complimentary Korean welcome meal.

I suggested deulgireum makguksu, buckwheat noodles seasoned with perilla oil.

Before preparing the food, Patrick informed me that he was vegetarian.

He did not eat meat, but eggs and onions were acceptable.

I was glad that he told me in advance because it allowed me to prepare food that matched his dietary preferences.

Patrick was touched that I had offered to cook for him after his journey.

“Aww, that’s so sweet that you would cook for me! I do want to let you know I’m vegetarian. No meat, but eggs and onions are okay.”

The welcome dinner was provided as a complimentary service.

The following day, Patrick asked whether the meal charge was included in his accommodation payment.

I explained that there was no additional cost because it had been a free welcome meal.

This small conversation showed that he was careful, polite, and wanted to make sure that all payments were handled correctly.

Buddhist Temples and Traditional Seoul

Because Patrick was particularly interested in Buddhism, I recommended several travel routes that included temples and traditional Korean neighborhoods.

One suggested course included:

• Jogyesa Temple
• Insadong Ssamzigil
• The Sool Gallery
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• National Folk Museum of Korea

Jogyesa Temple is located in central Seoul and is one of the most accessible Buddhist temples for international visitors.

The surrounding course also allowed Patrick to experience Korean traditional streets, architecture, history, and culture.

I also recommended another route that was especially suitable for his interests:

• Jingwansa Temple
• Eunpyeong Hanok Village
• Yeonseo Traditional Market

Jingwansa Temple offers a quieter atmosphere than many attractions in central Seoul.

Combining the temple with Eunpyeong Hanok Village and a traditional market provides visitors with a balanced experience of religion, architecture, nature, and local life.

Patrick was not interested only in famous tourist attractions.

His interest in Buddhist beliefs and art gave his Seoul journey a more personal purpose.

A Quiet Guest with a Warm Smile

Patrick was naturally quiet and somewhat introverted.

Because he stayed for a relatively short period and spent much of his time exploring Seoul, we did not have many long conversations.

He also did not drink alcohol.

Many of my social evenings with international guests involve makgeolli, beer, or soju, but drinking was not necessary for us to spend time together.

Instead, we shared snacks, food, and light conversations at home.

Patrick was calm, polite, and easy to host.

He often worked on his artwork quietly and smiled whenever we spoke.

Although he was not very talkative, he communicated clearly whenever he needed information.

His gentle personality suited the peaceful atmosphere he was searching for during his temple visits.

Practical Support during His Stay

Patrick asked how to use the washing machine and whether he needed to purchase his own laundry detergent.

I explained that detergent was already available at Mario House and that there was no need to buy anything separately.

I later prepared and sent him a PDF guide with photographs explaining how to use the washing machine.

I also sent information about using the air conditioner comfortably and efficiently.

International guests may find Korean appliances unfamiliar, even when the machines are simple to operate.

Providing clear written instructions helps guests use the facilities without worrying about making a mistake.

Patrick also received the Mario House manual, house guide, transportation information, and recommended sightseeing routes.

These materials allowed him to travel independently while still knowing that he could contact me whenever he needed assistance.

Continuing His Journey to Taiwan

After completing his Seoul trip, Patrick planned to travel to Taiwan.

He told me that he was also interested in visiting Buddhist temples there.

This made sense because Taiwan has a rich Buddhist culture and many historic and modern temples.

For Patrick, traveling was not only about sightseeing.

It was also a way to explore spiritual places, observe Buddhist art, and connect with traditions that were personally meaningful to him.

I hoped that his temple journey in Taiwan would continue peacefully and give him more inspiration for his artwork.

A Peaceful Homestay Memory

Patrick’s stay was very different from the stays of guests who joined large parties, drank late into the evening, or participated in full-day group tours.

His experience was quieter and more personal.

He received airport transportation guidance, a vegetarian welcome meal, temple recommendations, appliance instructions, and a comfortable place to rest.

He spent his time exploring Buddhist culture, creating artwork, and preparing for the next stage of his journey.

This showed that Mario House can provide different experiences depending on each guest’s personality and interests.

Some guests want cooking classes and parties.

Others want local tours and social activities.

Guests like Patrick may prefer a calm home, practical assistance, vegetarian food, and information related to temples and traditional culture.

Patrick was a kind and considerate guest with a gentle personality.

Although we did not spend a great deal of time together, I was happy to welcome him and support his Seoul journey.

Patrick, thank you for choosing Mario House after watching Julianne’s video.

I hope that the temples, Korean culture, and peaceful moments you experienced in Seoul became meaningful memories.

I also hope that your journey through Taiwan and its Buddhist temples was safe, inspiring, and enjoyable.

You will always be welcome to visit Mario House again.