Friday, February 14, 2020

Seoul, Korea: A Journey Through My Eyes

On the second last day in Korea, which was spent in Seoul (GANDWON-DO & JEJU THROUGH MY LENS) e skipped the usual hotel buffet breakfast and were taken to an eatery instead. Remember, I told you how it's difficult to figure out the names of eateries in Korea, as the signboards are all in Korean? By the time we walked in, it seemed it was almost the end of breakfast. The tables were a mess, created by previous tour groups who had already eaten and left. It felt like we were helping ourselves to the remnants of the dishes, and the staff seemed uninterested in serving us. Nevertheless, we helped ourselves to pumpkin porridge and spinach porridge, along with Kimchi soup and side dishes. Despite the initial chaos, it was a pleasant meal.


Next, we headed to the heart of Seoul. Another bustling city with a rush of life, we walked alongside big groups of Chinese tourists as we began our shopping spree. First, we visited the National Ginseng Center, followed by a bird's nest outlet, where my travel buddies were eager to buy the products. I must admit, I picked up some vital knowledge about Korean ginseng and bird's nest, despite it feeling like a sales pitch. Lunch followed, and it was the first buffet lunch of the trip. I quite enjoyed it, as the variety of dishes was different compared to the hotel buffet breakfasts we'd had so far. The desserts were unique and truly delicious.


For the next few hours, until 6 pm - almost five hours - we were dropped off on Myeongdong Street. Shopping while traveling? Oh dear, sheer waste of time. Amongst the loads of people walking up and down, it felt like a carnival atmosphere. I bought nothing, despite the abundance of Korean products ranging from skincare to souvenirs and clothes. Such a big hype only. 

I walked around, sat on an empty bench, and immersed myself in social media, thanks to the fast, free Wi-Fi. The shopping wasn't over yet; we were taken to two shopping malls while the rain lashed down. I wandered around for half an hour before finding a spot to return to social media, again due to the free Wi-Fi.

The next morning, we were back to shopping at Dongwha Duty Free Shop, Lotte Duty Free Outlet, and a beauty outlet - sheer waste of my time. The only consolation for the last two days was spending time at Gwanghwamun Square, a historic public space located in the heart of the city. It stretches from Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, to Sejong-ro Avenue.

This iconic square is adorned with statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, two of Korea's most revered historical figures. Gwanghwamun Square serves as a cultural and political hub, frequently hosting public events, protests, and celebrations.

 

Standing around, looking around, and walking aimlessly, I enjoyed every moment. I love such easy-to-go, free and easy visits, especially to historical sites. Remember, I am a history buff?

Later, we walked to Cheonggyecheon Stream. This stunning urban renewal project has transformed a once-buried waterway into a picturesque, 11-kilometer-long public space. Flowing through the heart of the city, this revitalized stream offers a serene escape from the bustling metropolis with its clear waters, lush greenery, and numerous pedestrian pathways.

The stream is lined with art installations, small waterfalls, and historic stone bridges, providing both aesthetic beauty and cultural significance. Cheonggyecheon Stream is a testament to Seoul's commitment to sustainable urban development and environmental conservation, blending nature with modernity in a harmonious urban oasis.






Wow! I had a ball of a time at Cheonggyecheon Stream. It's such an amazing concept in a city. Shouldn’t there be more places like this for our urban living? This marked the end of my Korean tour before heading to the airport and returning home.

Korea Through My Eyes & Lens

Learning Curve

Traveling is all about the experience, and so it is in South Korea. It's about the learning curve and gaining knowledge to broaden your mindset, not bragging about how many countries you've visited like some people I know. Sadly, for these folks, they've learned nothing, as there's no character polishing, no humility, just a lot of hot air (OSAKA SUNSETS).

 

The Korean Tour Guide

Oh my! What a personality. Educated in the US, he thought he was a class above all of us. Defensive, self-centered, and even scolding us for not listening to him and taking orders - what a lost soul. He was all about earning commission by taking us to outlets that clearly benefited him. And when I didn’t buy anything, he had nasty things to say.

 

Additionally, he shortchanged us on the meals listed in the itinerary, failing to deliver what was promised. Except for the first day, he claimed that drinking water, as mineral water in bottles, was not included in the tour. When we returned home, we all complained about him and were refunded his commission, which was included in the tour cost, along with some extra compensation for the things he didn’t deliver.

Koreans
Apart from the tour guide, I had wonderful interactions with Koreans. Despite the language barrier, we communicated through silent and body language. At the Aqua Center, I shared joyful moments with Korean families as their children excitedly watched colorful fish. Street vendors were initially cautious, seemingly upon noticing an Indian woman alone, but their demeanor warmed with faint smiles, which was truly meaningful. 


At Everland, eatery staff went above and beyond, accompanying me to purchase an umbrella, a gesture that deeply touched me. In queues at various sightseeing spots, I also experienced silent moments of connection and friendship with locals. Since I was sightseeing by myself, asking Koreans for help with pictures was incredibly swift as well.

Tour Buddies
Such humble and simple people. All of them were Chinese, including those from Indonesia who joined this tour. It was really amusing when they asked me why I was traveling alone, where my husband was, and encouraged me to travel with him. Even the Chinese have such a mindset when an Indian woman travels alone? They also asked how I could sleep alone in hotel rooms, and talked about horror and ghosts in hotel rooms. Oh-oh! They didn’t know that this Indian lady has been a solo traveler for the longest time.

 

They even gave me tips on how to keep ghosts away from hotel rooms. So hilarious, but it did shake me a bit. They told me to knock on the room door before entering and suggested that once I enter the room, I should speak to any ghost that might exist, letting it know that I am staying for a short period. But the question I asked them was, what language should I use? Bahasa Indonesia, English, Chinese, or Tamil? Will Korean ghosts understand? Hahahahaha!

 

Korean Cuisine

There's nothing to fault with Korean cuisine - I love it. But what I couldn’t understand is why it’s always either steamboat or hot plate on this tour. I've heard the same from others who have traveled on tours to Korea as well. There are so many other types of Korean dishes that would have made my culinary experience better, but we didn't get to try them. Thank goodness for Banchan, which literally saved my meals. These little varieties of dishes are truly divine and appetizing. And I'm so glad for rice in Korea - it's a lifesaver for a rice lover like me.

Shopping
I just can’t understand the hype of shopping (NEW DELHI REVELATION & KOCHI KALEISCOPE) in Korea. Did you know you can buy almost all of these items in Malaysia for even cheaper? I checked out the skincare products, which I love, but they weren’t affordable. Prices are slightly cheaper for unknown brands, and there are hundreds of Korean skincare brands I’ve never heard of. Even the higher-end skincare products were pricey, like RM300 and more for a cleanser.

 






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