You're my heart, you're my Seoul

A few weeks before I left, uncontrolable thoughts came into my head...why am I doing this? I didn't get it as I've never had it before. My friend told me she wished she could leave all this shit behind and I guess that's it. There was no 'shit' to leave behind, yet I would be leaving something behind this time. Everything was going well, friends, family, appartment, job. Living a comfortable life, which was why this was the best time to leave. Getting away from the herd and my daily routines. And besides, it will all still be there when I come back. And so when the trip got closer, I actually felt more and more relaxed. People asked me if I was ready? And it wasn't as if I really 'got ready' but yeah sure, bring it on, I'm ready!

My mom waved me off at the station, 'surprise!'. I know her too well to know she would come to say farewell :). And met my sister and best friend at the airport, okay bye bye now, take care. And off I went. I never really realize leaving until I actually arrive at the destination itself. Smile on my face and go time!

The flight was exhausting, but I entertained myself watching movies as usual. I had also decided to not drink until at least the end of february, quite the challenge when everyone around you is drinking and they stopped by regularly with wine, beer and even baileys! 

I took a bus to Hapjeong station and walked to the hostel, they had given me directions on how to get there. The owners were super nice and I had a comfy bed in a 4p dorm. I soon found out that Seoul is also known as the city that never sleeps and that I was close to Club street, sigh. But I kept quiet and exhausted myself during the day! The latter wasn't too hard to do as you walk miles and miles and miles, even just in the subway stations. One of the hostel owners told me she doesn't know streets, only subway exits which told me how important they were. You could end up somewhere totally different if you took another exit! Other than that, the subway station was very easy to use. Made up out of colors and numbers, just like in Japan, Paris and London. Only difference was the happy tune that was being played when the train was approaching, or the announcement tune for the next station. Those really made my day!

Even though people told me Seoul (or actually all of South Korea) would dissapoint after Japan, I enjoyed my time in Seoul. Yes it was similar to Japan, but also to China, Hong Kong. And the people are very friendly, they all looked so different too, which shows how mixed the culture is. One thing they all had in common was the love of their phone. No matter what age, games, videos, messaging, calling, music. Amongst both locals and foreigners, I was probably the only one without data and using paper maps. One subway map and a few city maps and I always found my way, as long as I used the right exit :).

On my first few days, I visited a few hotspots, starting with a palace and a traditional village (residential area). A lot of people were dressed in local Hanbok clothing, giving them free entrance to the palace(s) but also an(other) excuse to take hundreds of photos/selfies. I also visited some of the 'only in Asia' places, like the unique cafes here; Harry Potter Pub, 221B Cafe (Sherlock Holmes) and a Meerkat Cafe. At the last one I cuddled and played with meerkats, with them ending up on my lap asleep (allowed time was 10-15min max). But I felt sad for the other animals there and left soon after. I also went to the biggest aquarium there and wow our Ocean World (at Burgers Zoo) is tiny compared to that! Every corner you turned was a new world and so well put together! They had sea animals I had never seen or heard of and even did a mermaid show (which was dissapointing). They also had a touching lab, which is such a bad idea! Seafood is so big in this country and so kids were tossing starfish around, poking and catching fish and throwing them back and nobody seemed to care.

Speaking of food, seafood isn't the only popular food here. Food in general is pretty important. Lots of restaurants and streetfood, some of the weirdest things you will ever see. They also love their sweets, desserts, cakes, etc. And mixtures of flavors. Why just have salt, when you can add sugar haha. Everything needed sugar..fresh strawberries? Add a sugar coating. Breadstick? Add sugar. Not my type of food but interesting to see. And also a lot of fried stuff, also some with sugar! The only 'food'-goal I had coming here, was to find (and of course eat) a 30cm soft serve ice cream, mission accomplished!!!

Cheers,
T.

Ps; totally forgot we had snow one day haha!!!