First Trip to Seoul

So today, as the title says, was my first trip to Seoul! Each day I love being here in Korea more and more and today was a big part of that trend. Hopefully I can keep this post rather short and to the point. 

So last night on the Facebook group, a lot of students planned to go to Seoul together today and leave around 11 from the lobby of the dorms. Anyways, this morning Jerrel, Floris, and I decided that we wanted to get some breakfast before we left and so we walked down to get some food around 10:40. By the time we were finished, the main, large, group had already left for Seoul. That was fine with us, and I think in the end it was better just as us three. At 11:15 we hopped on the bus to Seoul, at 1000 won ($0.88), the 30 or so minute ride to Seoul was quicker and easier than going by metro. 

When we arrived in Seoul we were fairly lost, we didn't know where to start. Being such a huge sprawling city, it doesn't really have a clearly defined downtown, but rather many interesting and spread out districts. So we took the Seoul metro north after the bus dropped us off and ended up at Yongsan Station. There was a large mall here where Floris bought a camera (and haggled the price of the brand new camera to get a 20,000 won discount) and Jerrel got some running shoes which he also got the price lowered on after some arguing. After looking around the mall a bit we ate some very tasty Bibimbap. Jerrel and I both had the vegetarian type and it was such a great meal, very filling but healthy too. (Click for picture)  Bibimbap is a very traditional Korean meal and many different varieties can be found everywhere. To learn more about it, click here. Before leaving this restaurant we pointed at phrases in the phrase-book to have the waitress suggest us where to go. She pointed to Myeongdong on a metro map, and away we left. 

Myeongdong was more of the side of Seoul we were expecting to see. The metro was crowded with young people all getting off here, and the endless stream of people was just what we were looking for. Myeongdong is a trendy and very popular shopping district in Seoul; shops, bars, restaurants, neon and flashy signs and people as far as the eye can see. We sifted our way through the people enjoying all the cool things we were seeing. It seemed like everyone from Seoul who wanted to be seen was hanging out here. We decided to take a break at a 3 story coffee shop and rest while watching around us. Also, across the street was a 3-story Forever 21 and a 5-story H&M, these places were packed too. Once we continued walking I tried some street food again, although I'm not quite sure what I ate, it was greasy and good. When we left Myeongdong we just took the metro all the way back to Suwon. The ride took about an hour and we went through 22 stops. Across the metro car from us was a cute little Korean girl with her mom and she kept trying to practice her English with us. Also, we met a lady from the UK who had been teaching English in Suwon for 6 months and she gave me some helpful insight. 

After arriving back at Suwon station we ate another good meal of Bibimbap there but this time I had the bulgogi Bibimbap which was also great and filling. Just now we took a taxi home from the station and I'm just starting to relax after walking and seeing a lot. Earlier we made plans to go workout and then go to a jinjilbang (24-hour Korean sauna) but I am feeling pretty tired already. Tomorrow (Monday) at 10:00am is our orientation so I'll probably just stay here. Also, I guess in about a little more than an hour it will be my birthday. I had totally forgotten that until Sarah reminded me when we were talking today. Because of this, I will probably be out late tomorrow and might not have time to make a post tomorrow. Also in recent news, Tuesday is my first interview for tutoring English.

(Click here for a link to my photo album!)