Seoul Searching

(can you see me in the photo?)

Haha, come on that title is funny, not really all that original, it has definitely been done before, but I like it. Maybe it's just me but I love those kinds of play on words. Anyways, it's been awhile since I updated but that is because I have spent the last ten days in Seoul, Korea and it has been AMAZING!

When I think about Asia the first countries to pop into my head are usually China, Korea and Japan thus it was really interesting to visit Korea after spending about a month in China. It was so different. Seoul had a LOT of western influences but I must admit that even though there were a few Outback Steakhouses scattered, there was still a substantial, and proudly maintained, Korean restaurants. Discussing it with my travel partner and comparing the city's mentality with Beijing, we came to the conclusion that China seems to be in this confused state. Not really knowing how to incorporate both the western/modern influences while still maintaining the culture and history of China.

For example, one of my visits was at Changdeokgung, one of the five palaces located in Seoul. It was absolutely beautiful. The greatest part was that once you stepped through the gate it was a completely different atmosphere. You left Seoul and entered history.
In this picture we are in the palace in one of the meeting rooms of the king (he would sit in a chair and people would come offer things to him and all that bowing business) and in the far right corner you can see Namsan Tower. There is definitely a great mix of the ancient culture and the modern Korea. I think that was the greatest part of the visit, seeing and experiencing the balance between the two. I understand it is probably really hard to find that perfect yin/yang mix, but Korea definitely built around their history instead of pummeling it. I think China still needs time to get to that point, but they are working on it nonetheless, and when completed it will be greatly fascinating.

On this same day I visited Cheonggyecheon, a stream that runs through the city. It was really beautiful but i was distracted by the overwhelming number of couples. I went with my travel partner and her boyfriend and so I do believe I was the only single person there. At first I thought it was just certain romantic spots, but no. EVERYWHERE people were paired off like Noah's Ark, and they wore matching outfits! I guess it's just different that the people of Korea take dating much more seriously, it is very different compared to America. A coffee date in Korea is a DATE, whereas it's just coffee back home. Same goes for China. It's just fun to see the couples in action. The boys posing their girlfriends and taking pictures of them, the guys carrying the girls bags, people holding hands while on bikes. After awhile, yes, I must admit it's a bit nauseating, but cute nonetheless.

The family I stayed with was so incredibly nice. They really got into showing all aspects of Korea. The father took us to go climb a mountain. He is really intense with climbing, so fast! But it was really a great time. The mountain is called Namhan sanseong and on this mountain is the 'Great Wall of Korea.' This was the wall the Koreans built to fight off the Manchurians. There was definitely a lot of climbing. A lot of UPHILL! But walking among the fortress, and seeing all of Seoul below was just pretty incredible. Being in the city really didn't convey how great Seoul really is, but seeing the area from afar...way, way far...I finally understood the vastness of Seoul, and how most of Korea lives in the city.

















Hanging out with the family was really a lot of fun. It was with the parents that I was introduced to Makgeolli, a barley alcohol, and soju, a rice wine. They definitely party hard and they were a lot of fun. The Korean language barrier wasn't even a problem, through animated motions and a lot of guessing, conversations were held and fun times were had.

Earlier I mentioned Namsan Tower and now we get to the point where I visited the tower. We took a cable car up the mountain (I really loved how Korea had mountains EVERYWHERE, nature with city, again good blending). The tower was really, poetic.
Let me explain. There was art everywhere along with live music. It was again a place of love. I must admit that the romance was overwhelming towards the end but interesting. Surrounding the tower is a fence to keep people from falling off, and on this fence couples come and attach padlocks with their names or pictures and declarations of love and then they throw the keys over the edge. A statement that their love will last forever, like the lock. I'll leave you to make your own opinions about this. I am not saying that I don't believe in all of the 'love' and 'romance' bit, but it was just everywhere and I do believe in the saying that there can be 'too much of a good thing.' But then again, it is kind of refreshing to encounter a culture where they believe so strongly in love. They don't take it lightly, and while I do have mixed feelings on the subject of dating, it's probably a great feeling to just throw yourself into a relationship wholeheartedly and love that person from the very start, always believing in a future and that this person is meant for you (though it probably can get a little exhausting if you feel this way about many people, all the time through dating...hence the mixed feelings). Though it was pretty funny to see the sign that said 'Do Not Throw Away the Keys.' Safety first...

Two nights before I left to return to Beijing I spent the night at a Temple. I have debated how I am going to share this experience and have concluded that I will save it for another post. It was just such an experience that to cram it in would be overwhelming for me and a lot to read for you. I did have an amazing time in Korea and really do thank the family that I stayed with, they really made the experience one of a kind.
Korea was never on my list of places I must see, this was more of a decision made on a whim, and I am so glad that sometimes I don't think things all the way through because I would have greatly missed out. I wish I could include all of my photos, but I will leave you with a few or so that I truly love and hopefully they will entice you to make a side trip to Seoul.

The entrance through the fort to Namhan sanseong.



















In the palace there is this square lake with a circle island in the middle. It is a representation of the universe (the square) and the place Earth has among the vastness (the circle).
and a little romance to end this post...