Seoul South Korea

Seoul South Korea

I took a very short trip to Seoul, South Korea with a couple mates of mine from back home early in April. I was excited to go because S. Korea is RIGHT there and I had not yet had the opportunity to get over there and see anything. Due to the time limitations and the somewhat aggressive communications between the north and south at the time we went, we decided to forgo the border and see sights in the city.

We started our journey with little to now idea how we really wanted to spend our time there and as my friends had just gotten to Japan the day before I assumed they might have to deal with some jet lag while there. We stayed at a quiet little hostel nearby the central area of the University in Seoul. Its reasonably price for nicer accommodations and the owners are laid back and helpful. On that note; if you are vegetarian or allergic to say garlic (my friend was) then possibly S. Korea can be taken off of your to do list and replaced with another location that does not drown everything in garlic and meat sauce. Not that it isn’t a cool place to visit but you’ll be hungry the entire time and surrounded by inedible and stinky food.

We chose to see a few places reachable by local transit and mostly bob around the central area that we were staying in. During the day the streets are moderately busy but things do not begin to bustle until mid to later afternoon and into the evening. Seoul is a night owls dream as many places never really close (bars) and its “hip” to go out late in the evening. When I say late I mean around 11 or 12. Quite literally starting your evening when a Debby is cozy in bed because she is apparently 95.

Coming from the very clean streets of Himeji I am always a little shocked to see how dirty places can be. Seoul was moderately clean; however there is still a sense of just dropping trash wherever, it’s weird. As we wondered about we saw wall and entire buildings covered in graffiti and street art, sides of buildings littered with fish tanks filled to brim with “food” and more coffee shops than you can count. Seriously, Seoul loves coffee.
IT’S EVERYWHERE!

We spoke with our host and he looked almost shocked at our situation (food wise) and recommended a place that, maybe, we could eat at. We attempted to find this place and after some deliberation, decided that we should just pop into a small side joint and see what we could muster. We showed the women a few words written in Korean on our map (thanks to our host) that explained about our dietary needs and a few jumbled minutes later we had giant bowls full of rice, veggies and some sort of meat (which I could easily pick out). After some SERIOUS stares from locals and those who ran the place, we finished what we could, save for one of us who didn’t eat at all, and headed out. The woman saw that my friend didn’t eat and made her a special giant sushi roll as we left. It was really nice of her to make sure that she got something to eat no matter what.

Street art was EVERYWHERE. Some great, some just horrible graffiti 

Hanging at the park near the college area. 

I have NO idea what is in there.... but they eat some of it live. Ew

Poor little fishes. 

Street performers! 

My favorite part of Seoul was the DOG CAFÉ! I was in doggy heaven. Puppies as far as the eyes could see and I got coffee too, SAY 

WHHHHAAAAAT! 

It took a little searching for the place but eventually we found that café just off the main road. You do not have to pay to be in the café; however the prices of the drinks are a bit higher than normal cafes. This is to provide services for the pets and employees. 

I had a mocha café drink and it was around $7 US and wasn’t too bad either.  When you enter there seems to be a dog that will attach itself to someone the minute they enter the room.  For me it was spritely little fellow with a bum front leg who seemed to have a serious distaste for, well, every other dog. He promptly climbed in my lap and proceeded to “yell” at the surrounding dogs until the people in the café took him and put him in his own special room away from everyone else.  Then I spotted the dachshunds! SO CUTE ! One seemed to have some serious love for a guy there and followed him around like Schotzi followed me. Then I saw a majestic little fatty from across the room and after an eternity of waiting, he came to hang out.  I was way too happy to just hang with a dog in my lap. I should probably get out more….

DOGS! 

Watch yourself Tabi...... 

As we traveled to different sites in Seoul we happened upon found some odd things to eat, see and smell, but all in all I wasn’t horribly impressed with Seoul. It probably has more to offer than I took in, so I may go again, but not for long.

Met some cute kiddos at the palace. 

Cherry Blossoms are beautiful anywhere you travel. 

In every subway! I suppose it should be comforting , but its really not. 

That my friends, is a Seoul classic. Its a hot dog wrapped in french fries and deep fried. We couldn't find the poo shaped pastries, but you cant win um all.  

Typical street foods. 

My second favorite part of the trip would be the Dr. Fish experience. This little gem will get its own post!