SIWA bazaar takes you around the world

By Valerie Pergay

Travel and experience the world in a day at the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA) and Diplomatic Community Charity Bazaar on Nov. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grand Hilton Seoul.

Held once a year the SIWA and Diplomatic Community Bazaar is an international market place filled with over 40 country booths selling specialty goods from around the world.

From French cheeses, Swiss chocolates to exotic wares and handicrafts, you will find plenty of treats and gift ideas for the holidays.

Be transported as the diplomatic community presents a multicultural showcase. This year’s event will feature the Russian group Moscovia who will perform traditional song and dance routines while professional belly dancer Belynda Azhaar will hypnotize the crowd.

The instant lucky draw and grand raffle will provide plenty of opportunities to win great prizes from air tickets to Paris and Vietnam and hotel accommodations in Saipan to many fashion goods and beauty products provided by the generous corporate sponsors.

After all the shopping and festivities, taste the exotic delicacies offered at the international food court.

Proceeds from this event will help the 30 charity groups that SIWA Welfare committee supports like orphanages, shelters for migrant workers, centers for abused women and children, and homes for the elderly and handicapped just to name a few.

Around 20 of these charity groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor and House of Hope will be selling their homemade goods and crafts at the Bazaar.

SIWA, a purely volunteer-run organization since 1962, is the longest running and largest international women’s group with over 300 members comprising of Koreans, expat and diplomatic wives.

For only 10,000 Korean won a ticket, you can enjoy a fun-filled day touring the world without the jet lag. Best of all, everything you spend will be helping your community by supporting those in need.

To get there, take subway line number 3 to Hongje Station and leave at exit 2. There is a blue and white Hilton shuttle bus that leaves every 5 minutes before the hour (8:55, 9:55, and so on). From Itaewon, the Hilton shuttle bus can be found in front of McDonald’s and runs every hour from 9:30 am. Free parking is available but limited.

Valerie Pergay is a contributing writer. She can be reached at valeriepergay@yahoo.com.