A Journey for my Seoul: Mission Accomplished

My morning went well. Classes were normal. I got 10 out of 12 on my last quiz. We also spent the most of the first half of the 2nd session having a birthday party for one of the students. They had a cake for him and it took a long time to cut it and get it passed out to everyone. There are 2 more birthdays coming up in November.

After class, I came back to my room to take a slight break and then I was off to explore. I decided to go to Gwangjang Market. There are food stalls in the market and one alley called "Kimbap Drug" because the kimbap there is so addicting. There were probably 8 different ladies selling kimbap and other foods. I was walking slowly and looking when one ajjuma ("auntie") started talking to me and telling me to sit. I thought, okay, here goes! (As I sat and ate she would continue to call out to passerby's telling them to have a seat and eat her food--props to her for getting my attention.) It was pretty good-I don't know if I would say it is addicting-I do like kimbap in general though. I guess I will have to have regular kimbap soon and try to compare the two. This is made slightly differently. Normally kimbap is prepared by using a 6-7 inch square of seaweed and then placing rice over it, and fill it with meat and vegetables, roll it and cut it so they look like coins. This kimbap was made from a seaweed sheet about 2x5 or so, and only filled with rice, carrots and a pickled radish. It was also served with a spicy mustard sauce to dip it in. It was an okay addition. I also got a small cup of soup as well.

After my lunch of kimbap, I just wandered around the market. It would be a sewers dreamworld because there was stall after stall after stall of fabric. It was quite an experience. As I wandered I finally came to an exit and noticed Cheonggyecheon (my favorite stream) and walked along the stream for a bit. I got to Dongdaemun (known for discount shopping) and came up to street level to go to a few stores. I have to admit, shopping in Korea is a very overwhelming experience. Some of these stores are in department-store-like buildings, but the shops themselves are maybe 3 feet by 6 feet long. After winding around through them all, I can never remember which direction I came from and what I've already seen. Also, many similar styles of clothing are on display to add to the feel of being disorientated. I did find a jacket I liked. It was about 30,000W over budget, but when the sales lady told me the hood was made from REAL raccoon fur, I had to say no.

I walked through the shops for maybe an hour and then went back outside to go to the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. Previously, there was an athletic stadium complex located there, but in the last maybe 3-4 years they have torn it down and rebuilt a new park and have uniquely designed 'buildings' there. I think part of it is still under construction. I was so close to the East gate of the city that I walked there and took some pictures. When Korea was a dynasty, the city had a wall around it with 4 'gates' to enter (North, South, East, and West). Unfortunately, about 3 years ago, a Korean citizen burned the North gate down (which happened to also be Korean's #1 National Treasure...it is currently under construction to try to be rebuilt). The gate on the West side is no longer present either.

I returned to my room to get my homework done and then went out with my roommate, one of her friends and Brian for dinner.

Sorry, I went a little overboard on the photos!

Addicting Kimbap?!?

Fabric for sale

An ajuma selling spices/beans/???

Along Cheonggyecheon

Ducks in the stream

One of my favorite places in Seoul!

Cool pedestrian bridge (yes, I said pedestrian, and yes there are motorbikes on the bridge. In Korea, motorbikes are considered pedestrians too...it is not uncommon to see motorbikes being driven on sidewalks...)