It has been a week since my trip from South Korea. And I am still fighting off jet lag. I come to realize that I don't easily adjust to time change like I used to and that (or) I am feeling my age. One thing is for sure, no more backpacking trips for me from here on.
It was a whirlwind adventure these last few days. It was exhaustive and yet exhilarating. Everything in Seoul (or everything about Korean) seem to fascinate me. It is a totally different world out there. I often wonder what life would be if I chose to live there - temporarily.
Getting around the city is so easy once you get the hang of using the subway system. It is cheap, reliable and clean too. Certain bus stops had a monitors that tells you how far long or where was the bus at the current time. There are no room for guessing games. How hi tech was that? Take notes New Jersey Transit.
There was a small splatter of Starbucks in the area but there were also local franchises that seem to be at every corner. Coffee in these places are pricey often cost about $4-$6 for a cafe latte but when you are on your feet at hours at a time, it is a great respite when you finally relax with a warm beverage. One coffee shop gave us free cookies and cheesecake with our coffee. Some even charges your phone and had free use of the computer. If they would have offered to do my laundry, I would like to live there.
Every part of the city has shopping options for every budget. Our hotel is located on top of a 5 storey mall and we have to walk on an underground passageway full to shops to our subway stop. One time we checked out the electronics marketplace in Yongsan Station, they have a huge floor full of cameras and equipment. Also, not to mention a couple of huge markets in NamDaeMun and DongDaeMun. You could buy everything there, only if you know how to find them.
There are always a place to eat wherever you go. Korean food is everywhere along with small number of occasional Japanese and Chinese fusions. I have seen a couple of pasta places in the Coex mall along with KFC and Taco Bell in Itaewon.
I find it easy to get around in Seoul. Money exchange is a breeze. You could go to any bank for any currency exchange. There are also a lot of tourist information on your hotel and other places near City Hall and Insadong to give you a more detailed information and brochures. One of my favorites was the Seoul City Bus Tour where it drives you around the major tourist points in the city. It is a hop on and off bus. A day trip would cost you about $10. Not too shabby.
The next entries would be my Seoul series to our fantastic (mis)adventures in the city. We had visited a couple of Buddhist temples, night markets, children and food expo and an interesting museum. You could tell that our experience in Seoul was very positive. I would like to go back and explore more of the metropolis but I am now more curious of exploring its countryside.
It was a whirlwind adventure these last few days. It was exhaustive and yet exhilarating. Everything in Seoul (or everything about Korean) seem to fascinate me. It is a totally different world out there. I often wonder what life would be if I chose to live there - temporarily.
- Public Transportation
Getting around the city is so easy once you get the hang of using the subway system. It is cheap, reliable and clean too. Certain bus stops had a monitors that tells you how far long or where was the bus at the current time. There are no room for guessing games. How hi tech was that? Take notes New Jersey Transit.- Coffee Shops
There was a small splatter of Starbucks in the area but there were also local franchises that seem to be at every corner. Coffee in these places are pricey often cost about $4-$6 for a cafe latte but when you are on your feet at hours at a time, it is a great respite when you finally relax with a warm beverage. One coffee shop gave us free cookies and cheesecake with our coffee. Some even charges your phone and had free use of the computer. If they would have offered to do my laundry, I would like to live there.- Shopping Options
Every part of the city has shopping options for every budget. Our hotel is located on top of a 5 storey mall and we have to walk on an underground passageway full to shops to our subway stop. One time we checked out the electronics marketplace in Yongsan Station, they have a huge floor full of cameras and equipment. Also, not to mention a couple of huge markets in NamDaeMun and DongDaeMun. You could buy everything there, only if you know how to find them.- Food Options
There are always a place to eat wherever you go. Korean food is everywhere along with small number of occasional Japanese and Chinese fusions. I have seen a couple of pasta places in the Coex mall along with KFC and Taco Bell in Itaewon.
Street foods are the norm too especially with folks on the budget or on the go. On our whole trip, we ate one big meal and snack the rest of the day. We often stop if there was any interesting snack on the street and often try it out. Those mung bean pancakes and fish cakes on a stick can be very filling if you ate a couple of those in a day.
- It is easy to be a tourist
I find it easy to get around in Seoul. Money exchange is a breeze. You could go to any bank for any currency exchange. There are also a lot of tourist information on your hotel and other places near City Hall and Insadong to give you a more detailed information and brochures. One of my favorites was the Seoul City Bus Tour where it drives you around the major tourist points in the city. It is a hop on and off bus. A day trip would cost you about $10. Not too shabby. The next entries would be my Seoul series to our fantastic (mis)adventures in the city. We had visited a couple of Buddhist temples, night markets, children and food expo and an interesting museum. You could tell that our experience in Seoul was very positive. I would like to go back and explore more of the metropolis but I am now more curious of exploring its countryside.
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