At Daejeon Station, ready to go to Seoul.
Waiting for our KTX train. This was my first time going on a bullet train. It went up to 300km/hour (about 186 miles/hour).
Crossing the Han River. It is considered one of the most scenic locations in Seoul.
In Seoul. There were lanterns strewn up all over the city to celebrate "Buddha's Birthday" which fell on May 17 this year.
The old Seoul Station located next to the new station. This building was built in the 1920s and it's structure is more reminiscent of western culture than asian. When the new Seoul Station was constructed, it became a Cultural Center.
The current Seoul Station.
For some reason I was designated as the tour guide (before YeJeong joined us in the afternoon). As many of you may know, or have heard, I have a terrible sense of direction. I had written out some directions for us in advance...unfortunately google maps didn't give me the most accurate of directions and the Seoul Subways system is like trying to solve a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. After being on the subway system in Seoul, I am so glad I live in Daejeon.
Seoul Subway Map
Daejeon Subway Map
We went to our subway stop, according to our directions on google map, but couldn't seem to find our next location. We must have looked pretty confused and lost because a young military guy approached us and asked us in fluent English is we needed any help. He then took the time to give us the proper directions (after suggesting that it may be better for us to just take a taxi) to get to Myeong-dong by subway.
Just moments after that, Jenny dropped her wallet while getting on the subway but hadn't yet noticed that it was gone. Someone walked onto the subway, tapped her on the shoulder, handed the wallet over to her, and walked back off the subway. It's really neat how God sends people to help you out at just the right moment.
At Bosingak (Belfry), in Jongno. It was originally constructed in 1396 but was destroyed many times by both fire and war. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) this bell was the center of the castle. The bell was hit to announce the opening and closing of the four gates around Seoul.
We got to take a picture with a guard in traditional officer uniform.
Walking by Jongno tower. The top floor is a restaurant.
Crossing Cheongyecheon Stream.
In Myeong-dong, one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts. It is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. It also has some western shops that carry western sized clothing.
So many people!
Socks with the faces of Korean actors and singers on them. They seem to be very popular as they are sold everywhere. If I were them, I wouldn't want my face plastered over someone's stinky feet.
For lunch we went to Itaewon. It is located next to a US military base. Restaurants serving international dishes are found in this area and shops here are aimed towards tourists...which equals expensive. It is one of the most popular stops for tourists in Seoul. There is also a Muslim Mosque located in Itaewon.
There are many shops located above ground and underground. I'm sure there were many people that thought that YeJeong was Korean-American. YeJeong got so used to speaking English with us, that she sometimes forgot to switch back into Korean when speaking to vendors.
To celebrate Carien's birthday, we went the Braai Republic in Itaewon for South African food.
Enjoying some South African food (for the first time) with Jenny, Carien, and YeJeong.
My lunch...so yummy! Lamb chops with garlic potatoes and slaw.
Lamb Potjie (stew) and stywe pap (corn porridge) .
Amarula cheesecake. I love cheesecake!!! So good!
In Chungmuro, on our way to Seoul Tower, located on top of Namsan Mtn, but before that...time for coffee!
A well known coffee shop in the area.
Iced latte and brownies and ice cream. Mmmm...
At Namsan Tower with YeJeong and Carien.
The Seoul Tower all lit up.
At Namsan Tower there is a tradition where couples come and hang a lock on the fence surrounding the tower. They then throw away the key which is to represent the couple never separating.
The city view at night from Namsan Tower.
We took a bus that took us all the way to the top of the mountain, so we didn't have much climbing to do. On the way back, we decided to take the scenic route and walked down. As we were walking down, there were some American guys climbing up the mountain and we heard one of the guys saying as they went by, "Isn't Everland (indoor/outdoor amusement park) in Seoul? So why aren't we there instead of climbing this mountain?" I think he was beginning to feel the pain of climbing so many stairs.
At the South Gate (Namdaemun), one of the eight gates in the fortress wall of Seoul, which surrounded the city during the Joseon period. It is designated as the first national treasure of South Korea. In 2008 the wooden pagoda was burned by an arsonist. It was restored and officially reopened the week before we came.
Pretty lights all lit up at night throughout the city.
At Seoul City Hall in Taepyeongno, Jung-nu, the heart of Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Library, former city hall, is located in front of the current city hall. They were showing an outdoor movie on the lawn.
On the subway, tired, and ready for some sleep. Not that we didn't stay up late that night or anything...cough...cough.
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