Seoul Long, Farewell, Until We Meet Again

by Nicolle Ma (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

I was excited to visit the country of Yuna Kim, one of my favorite figure skaters, and the land of Kpop artists BoA, Psy and BTS. I was excited to see how South Korean food tasted compared to the delicious Korean food I've eaten in the U.S. Having read about South Korea in the news and in blogs as well as having received advice and tips from friends, I was eager to experience South Korea. What was unexpected was how much Seoul filled my heart and soul with such wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. My first day in Seoul was jarringly unexpected. I found out that the adapter I brought with me that seemed suitable for both Hong Kong and South Korea was not working in the outlet at my AirBnB. I had printed my self made itinerary but had no idea how to get from A to B. I wanted to save my phone for emergencies so I would briefly look up how to get to different places on my computer and then set out without the security of a electronic device to guide me. Since I was staying in Seoul for such a short time and planned to visit about 10 places a day, time was of the essence. I soon found out, however, that navigating Seoul's metro stations was easy. The maps in the stations as well as the kindness of locals made traveling easy. More surprises occurred throughout my trip. After unexpectedly befriending a Filipina from the UK on my way to North Seoul Tower, we made plans to eat dinner at Ossu Seiromushi, a Japanese restaurant owned by South Korean BTS member Jin. I had no idea what kind of food was served but I quickly found out: it specialized in steamed meat, eggs and vegetables in charming stacked wooden steamers made of cypress wood. Later on I met up with my friend whom I roomed with in California. She was born and raised in South Korea and happened to be in the country at the same time I was for her grandmother's 90th birthday. Hanging out with my friend for a day in Seoul was comforting and quietly eye opening. We ate traditional Korean chicken stew at Tosokchon near the Gyeongbokgung Palace which I had never eaten before in Korean restaurants in the U.S. Eating at this traditional place also involved taking our shoes off and sitting on our knees which was one of many culturally authentic experiences I savored. We then shopped for hanboks to rent which would allow us to enter the Gyeongbokgung Palace for free. I found out that my friend never had prom in high school so wearing these hanboks was like attending her prom. When we walked by the Cheonggyecheon stream, I was excited about since I had only seen in "Sense8" on Netflix and in pictures online. While eating Korean BBQ with my friend I noticed the vent was smaller for each table and included a lot more banchan (side dishes) I had never seen or eaten before. As we continued to eat our way through Seoul, my friend insisted I eat a Korean food trend: cheesy hot dogs with different toppings. While exploring by myself, I was unexpectedly and utterly charmed by Ihwa Mural Village. Murals of cute and sometimes whimsical animals, flowers and cartoons adorned the houses and business establishments. I ended up spending considerably more time there than I anticipated because of all the different murals and pathways to visit. Another place I was unexpectedly taken by was the Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam (which is how I Gangnam Style). I had planned to go there earlier in the day but seeing the temple at night lit up by hundreds and hundreds of white glowing lanterns was a breathtaking experience. Only a handful of people were there and I was so thankful to have this relatively solitary experience to myself. Visiting these charming places, eating delicious food and being helped by kind strangers while seeing the city with old and new friends was an unexpectedly soulful, heart warming experience. I am compelled to say Seoul long, farewell, until we meet again!