Alright, so I finally got around to putting down my thoughts on that South Korea trip. Been meaning to do this for a while, you know how it is. Life gets in the way. Anyway, let’s get into it.
Getting the Ball Rolling – The Planning and Getting There Bit
First off, deciding to go was the easy part. Heard so much about it, figured why not. The actual planning? That’s where the fun, and by fun I mean mild headache, began. I spent ages, and I mean ages, looking at flights. You try to save a buck here, a buck there. Ended up booking something that seemed reasonable. Then came the visa stuff. Luckily, for my passport, it wasn’t too bad, just some online forms. Still, always a bit of a nail-biter until it’s approved, right?
The flight itself was, well, a flight. Long. Cramped. You know the drill. Tried to sleep, watched a couple of movies. The usual. Landing at Incheon, though, that place is seriously impressive. Massive. And super efficient. I breezed through immigration, which was a pleasant surprise. Found my way to the AREX train to get into Seoul. Pretty straightforward, actually. Got a bit confused finding the right platform at first, but a helpful local pointed me in the right direction. Good start, I thought.
Seoul: First Impressions and Getting My Bearings
Stepping out into Seoul was a bit of a sensory overload. So many people, so many lights, especially since I arrived in the evening. I’d booked a small hotel, nothing fancy, just a place to crash. The check-in was smooth, thankfully. First thing I did was dump my bags and go for a walk. Needed to stretch my legs. And find food, obviously.
Navigating the Concrete Jungle
The next day, I tackled the subway. Everyone says it’s great, and it is, mostly. But man, those station maps can be intense. So many lines, so many exits. I definitely took a few wrong turns in the beginning. My advice? Get a T-money card immediately. Makes life so much easier. Just tap and go. I also quickly learned that Google Maps isn’t your best friend there for walking. Had to download Naver Maps. Why? No idea. Something about national security, someone told me. Seemed a bit much, but whatever, when in Rome, or Seoul, I guess.
What I Actually Did – The Tourist Trail and Some Food Adventures
So, what did I get up to? Well, the usual tourist stuff, mostly.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: Had to do it. It’s huge. Rented a Hanbok – traditional Korean dress. Felt a bit daft, but loads of people were doing it, and you get in free. It was actually quite fun wandering around in it, even if I was tripping over the darn thing half the time.
- Myeongdong: Shopping chaos. Cosmetics everywhere. I’m not a big shopper, but the street food! That was the main draw for me. Tried some tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) – pretty good, had a kick. Also had some tornado potatoes. Novelty, mostly. Some things were great, others… well, let’s just say I was glad I had a strong stomach.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: Really pretty, traditional houses. But so hilly! My calves were burning. And it’s a residential area, so you have to be quiet. Lots of signs telling tourists to shush. Fair enough, I suppose.
One evening, I tried to find this highly recommended BBQ place. Got hopelessly lost. Ended up in some tiny local joint where no one spoke English, and the menu was all in Korean. Pointed at what someone else was eating. Turned out to be intestine. Not my first choice, but I ate it. It was… an experience. The owner seemed amused, at least.
Little Things I Noticed
You pick up on stuff when you’re wandering around. Like how everyone is on their phone. All the time. But the Wi-Fi is amazing, it’s everywhere, and often free. Puts our connectivity back home to shame, frankly. And coffee shops! Man, there are thousands of them. Seems like Koreans really, really love their coffee. Mostly Americanos, from what I saw.
Also, the fashion. Everyone’s so well-dressed. Made me feel a bit scruffy, to be honest. But hey, I was there for the experience, not a fashion show.
Wrapping It Up – Would I Do It Again?
So, South Korea. It was definitely interesting. A mix of super modern and deeply traditional. The food was a rollercoaster. Some amazing highs, a few “what did I just eat?” moments. It wasn’t always easy. Language barriers, getting lost, the sheer number of people in some places. But that’s travel, isn’t it? If it was all smooth sailing, it’d be boring.
Would I go back? Yeah, I think so. There’s still a lot I didn’t see. Busan, maybe Jeju Island. I’d probably be a bit more prepared next time. Learn a few more Korean phrases beyond “hello” and “thank you.” But overall, glad I went. It’s one of those places that sticks with you. Good memories, mostly. And a few funny stories to tell, like the intestine incident. That’s always a plus.
