the end of my trip to korea

My month long trip to Korea was great. Not only was I able to see these beautiful places in Korea, but I was able to meet my families (whom I haven't seen for 6 years). Everyone treated me so nicely and I really enjoyed my stay here, but I was ready to go back home to my friends and families in vegas. I would really like to go back someday, but for now, I'm quite content with where I am.

surrounded my greeneries

seoul

the view from namsan tower.

namsan tower

namsan tower

train tracks admidst a forest

train tracks amidst a forest

As you can see, the heat in Seoul is just UNBEARABLE once it hits the month of July and August. I'm still amazed at how my grandmother convinced me to go walk outside for a breath of fresh air, but I am glad I did. Once we stepped outside of her little apartment, she led me to this beautiful scenery where a single line of train tracks were found in the middle of a forest. BREATHLESS is the word I had used to describe my astonishment in seeing such a landscape. Again, I would use this image as something found in a miyazaki film, but OH. You should know by now at how obsessed I am with his works. :)

relaxing near dongdaemoon

ssamzigil

shops next to the ssamzigil

way to the little cafe upstairs of ssamzigil

Located in the corner of Insadong is a complex called ssamzigil. Green Plants and vines surrounding the building and the little cafes and boutiques inside the mall are what you call A TRUE DISCOVERY. All the little handicrafts sold in the boutiques are all handmade and the people who made it are so sweet and courteous. I will definitely be back to visit you again.

antiques sold in insadong

I truly regret not getting anything from this little side store. The little dishes, sculptures, and other artifacts were just beautiful.

riding on the subway

subway to insadong

Just like in a movie or any miyazaki film, I was able to ride on a subway. Not the subway where it's underneath the ground and looks scary and intimidating, but the one where it was outside with rusty old train tracks and little patches of grasses and flowers along the tracks. It was enchanting to ride on a subway and see the scenery from a different perspective.

reliving korea.

the sweltering heat

My summer at Seoul, South Korea was a great experience. After not seeing my family in Korea for 7 years, my parents and I both decided that it was time to visit them... by myself. During the long flight to Korea, I was able to finish reading eclipse by stephen meyer, after it was on hold for 2 years in my *books to read list. Once I stepped out from the plane, I was able to immediately notice the cultural difference between America and Korea. Walking around in the big airport, I was exhilarated and yet exhausted at the same time. After walking and waiting in line to get through the immigration gate, I was able to see the bright smile of my grandmother and the rest is history. Tight streets, heavy traffic, humidity, amazing foods, kimchi, cute stores, antique shops, shopping galore, subways, trains, ancient artifacts, cute cafes, the heat, rain, mountains, trees, GREEN, GREEN, AND MORE GREEN. It was a delightful experience meeting with my family and being able to venture around in Korea as a young adult and not as a little kid. If I were to go again, I would definitely bring my friends with me.