The tireless Seoul

A short flight, a tram and a subway and then a bus to finally arrive in Seoul. Meanwhile I have been able to experience the difference of culture. People united in the subway, the constant hubbub, phones ringing, laughs and also the food! Wahouuu !! In a small snack in the bus station, I am eating a kind of maki with vegetables and cabbage soaked in a spicy sauce 'Kimchee' 'and "Gimbap'! A treat! But it changes a lot from Japan!

First day in Seoul:

Right out of the hostel I came across '' Paris Baguette ", a kind of coffee bakery, I spoiled myself! Green Tea Latte and cake / crumble in hand, I go up the grand boulevard towards the palace. On the way I discover the magnificent building of the City Hall, which is nothing but a huge wave of glass. After the big boulevard, I get just in time for the changing of the guard, a very special moment, see it by yourself.

The Palace is vast and everyone ride there on foot, showing their teeth in the different buildings to observe the facilities, I landed at the royal kitchens (of course !) and the place where the king took dessert with dozens of goodies !! During my visit, I understood that the Japanese had ravaged a lot during their invasion and buildings that are present are '' modern '' reconstrutions. We quickly noticed that South Korea has suffered from these invasions, but they are free since 70 years (only) and have known a decadent economic growth. No wonder when you see working life in Seoul.

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On the way up to the North, I arrived at the folk museum of Seoul. A great place describing the history of South Korea, its customs and traditions, really captivating!

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Following the discovery, I go a little further west in the Buckchon neighborhood, where we can find a hanok village, traditional houses. Unlike the Japanese, Koreans have the great idea to heat the floor of their

house and sleep on the floor should be quite pleasant. The architecture is really unusual in this small hilly area.There are lots of shopping streets and the famous Korean pancakes

Later, the Temple of Jogyesa in the heart of Seoul. The place is very busy right now, the day of my visit is the last day of a Buddhist ceremony in which monks and faithful perform readings. So no pictures but a little experience this ceremony.

I keep on the day towards Gwangjang market. Once there, you realize how it is a great Bazaar, hustling, they jostle, they shout, they eat, it fries .. The fried food stands in the center aisles and hundreds of people raised the pits. I grab a vegetable kind of pancake and I drag myself from the crowd to eat a bit.

The following days are gray. With Michelle, my Filipino dormmate, we try to find some buildings. We went to the University of Ewha and its famous green building and The Energy Dream Center of Seoul, but on Monday everything is closed! Back in the rain and afternoon in a café.

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The big positive point of the day was that in the morning, we met Roc, a Korean who manages apartment rentals in Seoul. We talk for at least one hour, she really wants to help us to enjoy as it should of her city and finally the appointment is made, the next day we meet to eat together.

Here we are in the car with Roc towards the southern part of Seoul, it seems most exclusive. She took us to a neighborhood full of restaurants to go to experience THE Korean Barbecue. And it is an art to itself that's me telling you! Just check the pictures. After a beef barbecue test and another pork barbecue, we visited Seoul by night with the car, it's a bit too cold to let our little face out.

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We also go through the street of cosmetic surgery clinics. And yes, the stereotype of Korean is often improved by scalpel strokes. We end the evening in a neighborhood teeming everywhere. Here the business is 24/24. Tons of clothes are purchased, ordered, delivered, tryed, etc ... people go in big building bringing suitcases and come back pushing or carrying large bags, the consumption is at his excellence! Sounds a bit scary ... But it is the sad reality of Seoul and South Korea in fact.

A little shocked and sleepy Roc brings us back to the hostel.