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After transferring to Tokyo, it took some time for my first international journey to occur however when it did the vacation spot was South Korea which isn’t any actual shock given its shut proximity to Japan. That preliminary journey to the capital metropolis for just a few days in extraordinarily chilly circumstances was talked about briefly within the inaugural Tokyo Fox submit but it surely then took almost a decade for my subsequent journey. That was when my spouse and I spent a few nights with my primary American pal Ethan who was residing in Seoul at the moment together with his household.
This three day journey was by no means actually going to be a giant dive into Korean tradition however there was nonetheless a smattering of native sights, sounds and smells. Fairly quickly after arriving at Ethan’s place we headed out on a brief stroll up the highway to the huge museum generally known as Warfare Memorial of Korea which possesses over 13,000 items of conflict memorabilia and army gear referring to the army historical past of Korea.
It was most fascinating to search out out about how the Korean Warfare unfolded, the involvement of Russia and China, and the assaults in addition to the Korean involvement within the Vietnam Warfare. The outside exhibition space was, for me, essentially the most spectacular half with over 150 aircrafts, tanks, planes, bombers and armoured automobiles to freely discover.
Maybe probably the most lasting photos was the statue depicting the actual life story of two brothers who fought within the Korean Warfare on reverse sides and have been by accident reunited on the battlefield. It’s a symbolic reminder of the Koreans want for nationwide peace, reconciliation and reunification.
The town of Seoul appeared very proud to have had the film ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘ (2015) set there. I feel it had simply been launched and so this Marvel movie was being closely promoted in all places together with a particular interactive exhibition at this museum that includes movie props, interactive elements, Hulk’s laboratory, Iron Man’s analysis institute, Thor’s House Tower, Marvel Merchandise and so forth.
Our first style of Korean meals got here after that museum by the use of a yaki-niku (grilled meat) within the college space of Hongdae.
The selection of meats, greens and so forth was different sufficient for my part and we have been all very pleased with it although I get the sensation some locals could look down on such a spot for its low cost and cheerful type!
Extra native meals adopted the following day once we went to the favored Tosokchan Samgyetang restaurant situated inside a conventional home.
I ate black hen samgyetang (ginseng hen soup) which was fairly a singular factor to pattern, and although it might not look too appetising the style was superb but it surely didn’t blow my socks off or something!
Not too far-off from that restaurant was Gyeonbokgung Palace; a piece of nice structure. With the mountains within the background and the troopers in Joseon-era uniforms standing guard, it’s deservedly a preferred vacationer attraction.
We then strolled all the way down to Gwanghwamun sq. and the Dongdaemun Market, over the Cheonggyecheon stream and onto Seoul Metropolis Corridor earlier than returning to our lodging.
Every morning, Ethan and I went out for about an hour cycle experience alongside the Han River which included going throughout (and beneath) Banpo Bridge.
The futuristic wanting man-made islands round Banpo Hangang Park supposedly brighten the vista of the river at night time. The ability on the most important of the three synthetic islands is called Saebit Dungdungseom and it was just a few years previous again then. It could possibly be seen within the aforementioned ‘Avengers‘ film.
About the one concrete plan Ethan and I made forward of our go to was to hike alongside a part of the Seoul Metropolis Wall path which is almost 20km lengthy and circles the entire metropolis.
Our plan was to simply hike a small part of it beginning simply west of Gyeongbokgung Palace which might take us on as much as the 338 metre excessive Mount Inwangsan. Nonetheless, once we bought to the beginning of the right path we have been shocked to find that it was closed which was annoying however in all probability a blessing in disguise because it was very popular that day!
Many issues are closed in Korea on Mondays however we by no means thought this would come with a mountain mountaineering path! There have been nonetheless some various trails although and we ended up in Inwangsan Park which hosts (as do many space’s all through Seoul) many nice train machines that we tried out.
With a few journeys to the U.S. army base, this lengthy weekend break felt like we have been in America at occasions! We had a Tex-Mex buffet dinner there on the second night time after which returned the next day for lunch at Taco Bell (not accessible to us in Japan at the moment!) adopted by a go to to one of many outlets on the massive base to get some American items.
There was a fast cease in Cheongna Worldwide Metropolis on the way in which to the airport in Incheon to fulfill ex-colleage David for a catch-up over dinner at a close-by restaurant.
We ate jajangmyeon (noodles topped with a salty black soybean paste), tangsuyuk (candy and bitter pork with greens) and jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) so we did even have some Korean meals every day.
This mini-break was by no means supposed to be a full-on Korean cultural expertise however was nearly hanging out with Ethan and his household. I’m in all probability due one other journey to Seoul and although it is perhaps extra cultural it’s unlikely to be as enjoyable as this one ten years in the past.
Click on right here to learn ‘A Surreal Border Crossing In Korea (2006)’
Click on right here to learn ‘The Journey To Seoul In 2006 Which Actually Kickstarted Many Years Of Asian Journey’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF Flashback: Seoul Olympic Stadium (2006)’
Click on right here to learn ‘South Korea 2015 Pt I: The Warfare Memorial Of Korea’
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