Daehamingguk! *clap clap clap clap clap*
Yes, I went to Korea for holiday, with two of my other friends. We went there after 2 months of planning, and few of withdrawal from other affiliates, but then, yes! we made it.
At first, I had doubt... but setting that aside, I got to fulfill my dreams, and at the age of 21, I went to outstate, that is, South Korea!
The rest of the post after this will be on our journey there, but then, the thing that I wanted to remind everyone, for if you guys have plans to go there, bear in mind:-
1. pick a suitable season.
- Summer will be too hot, and based on what I heard from the tour guide, Korea practices minimal usage of electrivity, which results in a very minimum use of air conditioner. If you are not a masochist, best avoid this time.
-Winter, if you wanted to experience what coldness of the season is all about, you should give it a try. Like I did. Best to say that, i will not travel on winter anymore. Prepare lots of wool socks and gloves. You'll need it. Also, good pair of walking shoes that has anti-slip sole. Plus, traveling during this season, you will not be able to get to shop longer in placces like Dongdaemun and Namdaemun, since the hawker will close early.
-autumn and winter FTW!! go during this time. But bear in mind, beautiful scenery and comfy weather also means crowds.
2. Get a very good walking shoes.
I mean it. I got into trouble by wearing a pair of boots, that in the end cause my right foot to swell and I need to take a day off from walking. Such a sad life I had while wearing it.
This is due to the fact that being in Seoul, means that you will travel a lot by walking. Unless you are in an expensive tours with buses and vans, you will need to use the subway, and I'm warning you, it's a very long way to walk.
I too, in fact, had a culture shock due to the excessive walking (if it is possible by walking too much) and time consuming travel from one place to another. Causing me 30,000 won for a new sport shoe. geez.
3. Manners 101
-Yes, Koreans do lack on some manners. I dont think it's THAT much, but there's some. One of the thing that shocked me is that, they spit everywhere. Especially the older ones. I dont think the younger ones do that, but then, to be safe, watch where you step, okay?
-Next, is on the fact that they will eventually run over you. Literally. Koreans are very fast paced and lived in a very hectic life. So, make sure you don't walk in the middle of the way (if you walk slowly while being amazed by the view) Because someone will bump on your shoulder, made you spin around and that someone will leave without saying 'sorry'. Yep, no need to say sorry too, just run around and bumped around cause that is the way it is.
-the subway tends to be very quiet, so low done your voice, if you dont want the koreans to look at you in a very rude way.
-also, people leave their belonging unattended on the table in a restaurant or in subway. Frequently, they will be untouched. I also has the chance to talk to the tour guide about those kinds of things, and she said that it is very rare to hear news of people being mugged or pick pocketed in the subway. It is very safe to walk around in the night. That's true. I've tried it.
4. English Mayday
Yeah.. dont expect for everyone to speak english fluently to you. through my trip in Korea, I learned to speak sign language, and also some of Korean language. You might find someone that can speak in English.. but generally they dont know even the basic of it. Huzzah if you find someone. Finally you are not speaking alien anymore.
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| This is from a photobooth at Cheongye Stream. You can send the picture to mails for free. |
I think thats sort of covers it. So now, I shall proceed to my trip there. :D EF YEAH I WENT TO KOREA!
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