The Adventures Continue

Summer vacation is finally here! These past couple of weeks have gone by so slow I never thought break was going to come! And that’s including taking a day off to travel to Korea!

It’s been 10 years exactly since my last visit to Korea. I wish I could remember more from the trip back then but at least I’ll remember this trip. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous going to Korea. I didn’t know how they would react to me since I am Japanese American and look very Japanese. Occasionally I don’t get the greatest reaction to being an Asian foreigner so I wasn’t sure how it was going to be in Korea. Turns out I had nothing to worry about!

The trip started out taking a 1AM flight from Tokyo to Seoul. Not the best time since the flight was only about 3 hours, but it was super cheap and figured I’m young(ish), I can bounce back. Although I didn’t sleep much on the plane, this did give me a chance to try a Korean spa (onsen). The spa was in the airport so access was easy and it was so nice you forget you’re in an airport. For $20 you get pajamas, towels, a locker, and they’ll store your luggage. You have access to the bathing area and the napping rooms. The napping room wasn’t anything fancy. They were rooms with mats on the floor with a little square hard pillow. However, they did have a female only room which was nice. It’s not a hotel.. or super comfortable but I was so tired it didn’t matter. Plus, it’s part of the experience! This specific spa is open 24 hours which I think is pretty common in Korea. Something Japan should really pick up on… Just saying.

Incheon airport is probably the nicest airport I’ve ever been to. It has everything you’d ever need. They even have a movie theater! So many food options but I refrained since better food options awaited me.

After sleeping for a couple hours, I boarded a train and headed to Seoul. After storing my luggage, my first stop was at Gyeongbokkong Palace. One of four palaces in Seoul and home to the Jeonsong dynasty. It’s  probably the most famous for the changing of the guard ceremony. The palace grounds were huge and very colorful. Unlike the Japanese castles (and I guess other castles) where it’s one building, Gyeongbokkong was more like a compound. Each person of the royal family had their own sleeping quarter which was like a fancy looking hut, the meetings were in one area of the complex, parties and festivities were in another, there were at least two kitchens. They did however build it in a way where in the summer time, you get a nice cross breeze so you’re not dying from the heat. While at the palace, we saw the changing of the guard ceremony. There was music, flag bearers, leaders (generals?) and guards. It’s quite an ordeal and was interesting to watch. The colors of the uniforms matched the details of the pillars in the palace. Unfortunately, the castle wasn’t used for very long. The Jeonsong was in power for only about 600 years before the Japanese came and took over.

Close to the palace there’s a neighborhood that takes you back in time. Everything from the roads to the houses is old style Korea. Tourists dressed in traditional clothing roamed the streets taking pictures. It’s similar to Kyoto except instead looking at shops you’re looking at people’s homes. It’s a bit of a hike, but it has an amazing view and the homes are beautiful. Just be sure to not make too much noise on the streets.

After the palace, I headed to Gwangjang market. An outdoor market with a rooftop so rain is not an issue. There are many markets similar to Gwangjang throughout Korea where locals do their shopping.  Gwangjang market has everything form clothes, appliances, to food. Lots and lots of food. You get a lot of what you need for a cheap price. I went strictly to eat. I feel like I got a somewhat authentic experience. I tried Korean dishes I’ve seen in videos and all I can say for some of that I tried it… It’s all about the experience right?

After the market, I check into my place and went out to Myeongdong for more food.  Along with the street food, they are also famous for the abundance of skin care shops.  But the first day I went was strictly for food. Myeongdong caters mostly to the international crowd. There were a lot more of a variety of foods compared to Gwangjang where it was more or less the same at every stall. Out of the entire trip, my favorite foods were from the streets of Myeongdong. The food stalls come out later in the afternoon and close late at night so if you go, go after 4:30 p.m.

The next day I went on a tour to the demilitarized zone. Basically, the boarder between North and South Korea. It was an an interesting and intense day. You never feel like your life is in danger, but you definitely feel the tension and the alertness of everyone in the area. Surprisingly, there is a town in the DMZ. Occupied by farmers who have been there since before the Korean War which is why they can stay. This was probably the only thing I remember about my first visit to Korea. I don’t remember everything but the memories I do have are pretty vivid. After the DMZ, I ate the best Korean BBQ in Gangnum. It’s supposedly a famous place frequently visited by KPop starts. The place wasn’t fancy,I t was kind of like comfort food. But it was the best Korean BBQ I’ve ever had. Sadly, I didn’t see any when I was there.

The goal my last day in Korea was to hit as many places as I could before my flight. I flew out at 10PM so I had essentially an entire day to spend in Seoul. Nothing special, I ate a lot of ice cream, and bought a lot of skin care products.

For me, when I think of South Korea, my mind doesn’t immediately go to war. But there are reminders all over the city. For example, the train stations are equipped with gas masks, oxygen tanks, and flash lights in emergency cabinets. Obviously not enough for everyone but there are probably 25 gas masks in each storage unit and the storage units are everywhere. Along with the emergency equipment, there are underground shopping malls which are meant to be tunnels. You can walk the city of Seoul just with these tunnels alone. It’s pretty fascinating but also a little nerve wracking they have to have these precautions. With that being said, I encourage everyone to go to South Korea. The people are genuinely nice, the food is great, and Seoul is amazing.

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