I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my days in Korea. I did whatever was on my checklist, had good hikes, culture, food, and had a great laugh with Grace over bottles of soju. Frankly, it’s difficult not to have a laugh over soju, it’s 25-41%!
Grace and I really enjoyed the Seoul Kimchi Academy’s special kimchi class. The teacher/owner was so enthusiastic that you felt her energy in every slice of the daikon and cabbage. What you don’t expect is that they vacuum pack each kind of kimchi you make and at the end of the session hand over the 3.5 kilo package of assorted kimchi. Imagine being a couple attending the class and being a little surprised you were about to check in 7 kilos of kimchi in your luggage! Still, it was a riot! We thoroughly enjoyed it.
After the kimchi session, we trundled towards the Bukchong Hanok village in the same area very sweet traditional homes and shops. It’s a nice area to walk around an area with a more local feel.
A Korean experience is incomplete without a bit of k-pop. I must admit I was unfamiliar with the bands but it was fun and upbeat. There were a lot of screaming young women so I decided to join in. Why not?! Wave your light around, scream when the band member says something, and scream when they enter or exit! It’s not difficult.
Grace and I stumbled upon a very interesting building, the design center Dongdaehamun. Really amazing building for exhibitions.
Of course, Korea is also famous for its cosmetics and its cosmetic treatments and surgery. Medical tourism is flourishing since South Korea is known to be the plastic surgery capital of the world. Knowing all this, it would be remiss of me not to participate in said medical tourism. A skin analysis session and facial were in order! You can find these clinics everywhere, floors of them, with many doctors and assistants.
I’m not one for permanently altering my face A little late for that since everybody knows what I look like. A little treatment though is relaxing, enjoyable and can help improve your skin.
Of course we checked out Gangham since the clinic recommended to us was there. I knew Psy was big with “Gangham Style” but that sculpture’s size was unexpected.
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We spent a day at Imjingak Park honouring the people who suffered in the Korean War and the DMZ to catch a glimpse of North Korea. The tension between the two countries is ongoing even if unification is the objective one day (probably of the West)
Cuisine wise we went on to experience the seafood market at Noryangjin. Like other Asian seafood markets, you choose your lunch or dinner still swimming in the tanks, then you are directed to a restaurant to eat it. It doesn’t get much fresher than that. We opted for the king crab.
We also had their famous steak called Hanwoo.
There are many small casual eating establishments which are delicious. I have no idea what this place is called but it’s in Hongdae which is quite hip and full of bars and casual eating places. Also it’s home to a famous fried chicken place.
fried chicken
Pork barbecue.
Another hip place to hang around which is the Korean Soho (though not many bars) is Seoungsu. It’s home to bakeries, coffee shops and trendy shops. Seems very Korean and not touristy at all.
There are also some things I’ve only seen in Korea. Maybe they exist elsewhere but I haven’t noticed.
Fixed large umbrellas at crosswalks so while you wait for the green man you can shelter.
Traffic wardens with umbrellas
Burger art?
Body fat corn measurement
Lit green sidewalks when it’s time to cross. They flash and turn red when done. Just in case you don’t notice the green man in front of you. Also, don’t press the button to get the green man going, it’s for the blind, helping them cross the street since they can’t see the various blinking lights.
Interestingly in the underground or subway stations, when a train is arriving it’s the music to announce a cavalry. Very unusual.
Of course the snacks they sell. Koreans eat and snack continuously. Very unusual flavours!
All in all, a truly amazing trip and a lot of fun. I worry I’m sweating kimchi now because I ate tons of it but it was delicious. Ill come back again.
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