Seoul Day 5
Today, Layna was back to work, so I was on my own! I figured for my first alone day I would wuss out and go on a guided tour. In the morning my tour went past the Blue House--so named for it's bright blue tile roof. It is the equivalent of the White House, the residence of the president. Then it was back to Jogye temple. Layna and I actually stopped by yesterday briefly, but we were too scared to take too many pictures. We felt weird since there were people praying. I figured today in a group of westerners and with people all around taking pictures, it was fair game. I'm really beginning to enjoy the waft of incense and the atmospheric chanting when you enter a buddhist temple or shrine. I did feel a little weird since we were walking past people praying and chanting everywhere. Must be distracting to try to find inner peace with all those tourists tromping around. After that it was off to Gyeongbokgung palace. Gyeongbokdung, was strikely similar to the Changdeokgung palace I went to yesterday, except it was larger. It did also have a folk museum which had a lot of interesting facts about ancient Korean village life. The architecture at all these sites has been so gorgeous.
Then it was off to the Ginseng center to learn all about the amazing curative properties of Ginseng... and get the unending sales pitch about how great Korean 6 year ginseng is. Apparently it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!! I mean it worked for Condi Rice and Bill Clinton.... (this was just about the most hardcore sales pitch I have ever heard). I had another korean style lunch. Bimibap again. I would have ordered something else but I had about a split second to decide and it was the only thing I remembered the name of. Oh well--foodie fail! (Stacy--please don't revoke my food card!) It was really good though. After lunch I went to a Korean folk village, which was neat because I got to see traditional handicrafts being made, and a drum and dance performance. I also got to see some of the traditional village buildings, which was interesting to compare to all the grand palaces and temples I have been seeing. Same style of architecture for the most part--just no painting.
After the tour--the big moment came.... could I navigate my way successfully back to Layna's apartment en solo???? Could I forage dinner with my three Korean phrases????? My Korean consists of hello, thank you, and I want one (insert wild pointing gestures here).
Success! Subway/bus was no problem. I even pushed the button for the right stop. I was so proud of myself. Dinner....well I was tired and sort of wussed out. I went by family mart (think 7-11) and grabbed a diet coke and a pastry. I felt lame though, so when I passed the fish man Layna recommended, I procured myself some fish. Success! I have officially foraged food in a language I have no vague pretenses of being able to speak. I was rewarded with tasty happy fish thingies! The "fish" are actually fish-shapped waffle-doughish snacks filled with red bean paste. I did have a slight language fail when I accidentally ordered five. Considering it was 1000 won ($0.72) for 5--I'm not exactly upset. I figure now I have delicious fishes waiting for Layna when she returns.
Tommorow I am 100% on my own, no babysitter/tour guide. Will I survive???? Will I learn a fourth korean phrase??? Tune back in for tommorow's not-so-exciting installment! ;-)
Oh and pictures are up! Captioning will be done at a later date.
Then it was off to the Ginseng center to learn all about the amazing curative properties of Ginseng... and get the unending sales pitch about how great Korean 6 year ginseng is. Apparently it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!! I mean it worked for Condi Rice and Bill Clinton.... (this was just about the most hardcore sales pitch I have ever heard). I had another korean style lunch. Bimibap again. I would have ordered something else but I had about a split second to decide and it was the only thing I remembered the name of. Oh well--foodie fail! (Stacy--please don't revoke my food card!) It was really good though. After lunch I went to a Korean folk village, which was neat because I got to see traditional handicrafts being made, and a drum and dance performance. I also got to see some of the traditional village buildings, which was interesting to compare to all the grand palaces and temples I have been seeing. Same style of architecture for the most part--just no painting.
After the tour--the big moment came.... could I navigate my way successfully back to Layna's apartment en solo???? Could I forage dinner with my three Korean phrases????? My Korean consists of hello, thank you, and I want one (insert wild pointing gestures here).
Success! Subway/bus was no problem. I even pushed the button for the right stop. I was so proud of myself. Dinner....well I was tired and sort of wussed out. I went by family mart (think 7-11) and grabbed a diet coke and a pastry. I felt lame though, so when I passed the fish man Layna recommended, I procured myself some fish. Success! I have officially foraged food in a language I have no vague pretenses of being able to speak. I was rewarded with tasty happy fish thingies! The "fish" are actually fish-shapped waffle-doughish snacks filled with red bean paste. I did have a slight language fail when I accidentally ordered five. Considering it was 1000 won ($0.72) for 5--I'm not exactly upset. I figure now I have delicious fishes waiting for Layna when she returns.
Tommorow I am 100% on my own, no babysitter/tour guide. Will I survive???? Will I learn a fourth korean phrase??? Tune back in for tommorow's not-so-exciting installment! ;-)
Oh and pictures are up! Captioning will be done at a later date.