I've Got Seoul

After a crunchy 14-hour plane flight, I have finally arrived in Seoul. Although I was quite miserable in my coach seat fit for a 12-year old, and vying to be one of the lucky few in the premium/first class, it could have been worse. A personal TV screen was attached to each seat with a wide range of movies, TV shows, and special programming. Needless to say, I watched 4 movies, and at least 3 episodes of House. A young woman sitting a seat away from me was from Seoul and had been in Chicago for business. We struck up a conversation for a while, and as we were landing, she gave me her business card and told me to call her if I ever wanted her to show me around. She also offered to help me find my bus to the City Air Terminal. How refreshing!
I was a bit worried about actually getting to the hotel. However, the signs in the airport and, well, basically everywhere, are all in English. Additionally, the people here are more than willing to help. I didn't even have to ask, only to look confused, when a number of people asked where I was going, and directed me toward where I needed to be.
My roommate arrived at the hotel soon after I did, and we attempted to fight off the jet lag to stay up until 9...wooo party animals, I know. The next morning we ate an "American style" breakfast downstairs in the bar, which was a strange atmosphere to be in at 8 in the morning. The selection consisted of some sort of mixed rice, eggs, hot dogs, and frosted flakes. The only milk available was whole milk.
My roommate and two guys we met in our program then decided to venture out on the streets of Seoul. It is an attractive city that, on the main streets, looks like any other big city.




Keeping in mind, also, that our hotel is not in Central Seoul, which is apparently where the real bright and shining lights of the city are. I am in no place at this time to brave the subway system...there are barely even street signs. I will definitely need someone to advise me, if not full on hold my hand through that.

The exceptions to the rules of this being a somewhat average city are:
1) motorcycles and vespas can drive on the side walks
2) Cars park on the sidewalks as well (although I am not sure if it is legal as there are many cement stumps throughout the sidewalks seemingly to stop cars from driving on them
3) Ambulances and Police cars drive with the traffic, even when their lights are on...no one stops.
4) The shopping is organized on the streets by theme. In other words, one block will be full of various coffee shops, the next furniture stores, the next clothing, and so on. Seems like it would be nice for consumer choice, although I don't know how the companies withstand all that competition.
5) The side streets are a whole new world, narrow and crowded with more mom and pop shops, and food and street vendors. I snapped some pictures of the streets we walked down






We stopped for lunch at a Korean barbeque on one of the side streets. Thankfully, one of the guys we were with spoke Korean. We left the talking/ordering up to him. The server gave us an assortment of side dishes called "bonchon" along with raw beef or pork that is meant to be grilled yourself in a small pit in the center of the table. Check out this spread, delicious!

Korean bbq is choice; full of flavor, spice and variety.

We had grand plans to go out to a karaoke bar later that night, but by the time 7:00 pm rolled around, everyone pretty much had hit a brick wall. A long day of walking combined with jet lag equals an early night in.