This is the moment that most people have been waiting for, my update on my travels around Japan! The information is going to be posted! If you have any questions please let me know! Anyhow, here are the last few days in Korea! Thanks for sticking with me!
March 1, 2010
Fifth and Sixth days in Korea
I woke up early today, about 07:30 hours to try to get a jump on the day. Then I looked outside and noticed it was POURING rain. Wow, yesterday, as I was leaving Busan, the weather was beautiful! I wish that I didn’t leave Busan. That was a day I probably could have seen Japan from those cliffs! ARGH! Hoping that the rain would go away, I hopped on my compy to see the weather.
No such luck! It was going to snow today. At least that is what the compy told me. Annoyed, I decided to sleep for another hour. One hour later, I made my way down to have breakfast. The French girl and the Irish guy were still here from the first night.
I was informed that my room had opened up and that I could move over. So, I moved my stuff down to the new room. It is really neat! My first time in an onidol! It is a traditional Korean room. The floors are heated in the room! So AWESOME!
Well, actually we will find out how awesome it is tonight when I go to sleep and it is snowing outside. After finishing breakfast, I made my move. The landlady kindly lent me an umbrella, telling me, “a black umbrella is good for a guy to use!”
The plan for today was to go to the Blue House. This is the Korean equivalent to the United States White House. It is called that because the roof of the traditional looking buildings used for government have blue tile on them.
I also asked about the postcards! I found out that today was a Korean holiday and that the post office again is going to be closed! Awesome! Why is this postcard thing so hard? I am going to write a few more, to make the trip tomorrow worth it! Being that tomorrow is my last day here! Moving on, I went to the train station and headed for the Cheongwadae (the Blue House).
I was wondering where this place was and ended up walking into Gyeongbokgung Palace. This was the first time I had to pay to enter something in Korea. It cost me 3,000 won, but was well worth it. The buildings were amazing!
They had two buildings that were built in the middle of ponds. It was breathtaking. Well, either the beauty was or the snow; which was gently falling to the ground and then would have a gust of wind take it sideways at about a 30 degree to the ground direction.
There was also the changing of the guard! The guards were drabbed in traditional uniforms, from shoes to weapons. It was really cool. There was also a place where you could try on the uniforms for free.
Well, as I was moving around I noticed that there was the Seoul National Museum right on the other side of a gate. I walked towards it and then realized that I would be leaving the palace. The guard motioned that I would be able to reenter the palace as long as I still had my ticket stub. With that bit of information I gladly walked into the museum, for free too!
Inside the museum was interesting! It told everything about Korea, from past to present. It was really neat. I hate to admit it, but I had no knowledge of Korea prior to this trip. This vacation has been really eye opening to me as well.
There was also the changing of the guard! The guards were drabbed in traditional uniforms, from shoes to weapons. It was really cool. There was also a place where you could try on the uniforms for free.
I would have taken part, but I was alone and had nobody to watch over my stuff or take a photo of me. The only weird thing about the place, was how eerily quiet it was. The only explanation that I could think of was that today was a Monday and it was snowing.
Why would anyone in their right mind come out to pay and see an old building in the snow?
Well, as I was moving around I noticed that there was the Seoul National Museum right on the other side of a gate. I walked towards it and then realized that I would be leaving the palace. The guard motioned that I would be able to reenter the palace as long as I still had my ticket stub. With that bit of information I gladly walked into the museum, for free too!
Inside the museum was interesting! It told everything about Korea, from past to present. It was really neat. I hate to admit it, but I had no knowledge of Korea prior to this trip. This vacation has been really eye opening to me as well.
I’m so happy that I came. I might come back again in the summer. Leaving the museum, I went back into the palace. I almost forgot the reason that I came to this place! The Blue House! Where is it?
Walking back to the front of the palace I asked the ticket vendor there. He passed me a map in Japanese and pointed out that the Blue House was right behind the Palace. Thanking the man, I moved to the back of the palace.
Walking back to the front of the palace I asked the ticket vendor there. He passed me a map in Japanese and pointed out that the Blue House was right behind the Palace. Thanking the man, I moved to the back of the palace.
Then I started to make out the blue house. There was a ton of police around the rear entrance to the palace. There was a Thai tour group taking photos there when I arrived. It was strange to hear a language that I understood all of a sudden. It was hard for me not to try to talk to one of them.
So, as I was taking photos straight dead on, I decided to try to get another angle. Bad idea. I had a police officer on me asking me what I was doing in a language I didn’t understand. I decided to just bow and walk back towards the group of Thai people. He didn’t seem to want to pursue. Just a friendly warning to others that might try to do the same mistake I did.
Now, behind the Blue House there is an amazing mountain fortress that is really cool looking in the photos. I really wanted to go, but being that it was snowing and the fortress is on top of a mountain, really put a damper on things. I decided to just continue walking around the palace.
Not impressed, I moved on to the metro to go to Shinsegae Department store. I went there, and I was really impressed. Along the way, I picked up a new suitcase for 50,000 won. I also grabbed more souvenirs for the friends back home.
So, as I was taking photos straight dead on, I decided to try to get another angle. Bad idea. I had a police officer on me asking me what I was doing in a language I didn’t understand. I decided to just bow and walk back towards the group of Thai people. He didn’t seem to want to pursue. Just a friendly warning to others that might try to do the same mistake I did.
Now, behind the Blue House there is an amazing mountain fortress that is really cool looking in the photos. I really wanted to go, but being that it was snowing and the fortress is on top of a mountain, really put a damper on things. I decided to just continue walking around the palace.
There was enough to see around the palace to keep me busy.
After the palace, I went to find the 3.6 mile stream that I missed yesterday. Walking about 20 minutes south of the palace I found it! It was not as fancy as the photos on the web make it out to be. At least the portion that I could see was not that impressive.
Not impressed, I moved on to the metro to go to Shinsegae Department store. I went there, and I was really impressed. Along the way, I picked up a new suitcase for 50,000 won. I also grabbed more souvenirs for the friends back home.
When I walked into the department store, I was thinking that I could buy something. Then I looked at the prices and they are more expensive than Japan! There were 11 stories of high-end, expensive products. The only thing I bought was a soft serve ice cream.
Moving on from the dept. store, I went to Nampodong. There was a market that was like no other in that area. I went shopping around there for about 2-3 hours before deciding to go back home and putting the new suitcase in my room.
Moving on from the dept. store, I went to Nampodong. There was a market that was like no other in that area. I went shopping around there for about 2-3 hours before deciding to go back home and putting the new suitcase in my room.
It was about 20:30 hours now, and I was getting hungry for dinner. I haven’t had any Korean BBQ while here yet, and decided to go out and get some.
It was just like home, in California! They came out with a bunch of side dishes and raw meat. They started cooking it on the grill in the middle. I got beef and pork. The kimchi again was delicious! I really had a good time eating and cooking.
It was just like home, in California! They came out with a bunch of side dishes and raw meat. They started cooking it on the grill in the middle. I got beef and pork. The kimchi again was delicious! I really had a good time eating and cooking.
The waitress even spoke English and made sure that I ran out of nothing. She would bring more salad, garlic, or whatever was going low. I left that restaurant really happy and really full! I decided that I would finish off my stay with a coffee and then go back to the hostel and prepare for my departure.
There is a Korean fast-food joint around here called ‘Lotte’. I havn’t been there yet, and decided that I would get the coffee from there. It is really good, and I would have to recommend the waffle set that you can get with it. Again, the waitress spoke English! Awesome! Good way to end the night.
Thanks for sticking with me in Korea. Tomorrow I head back to Japan. I pray that all goes well.
March 2, 2010
So, because today I am leaving for Japan, I decided to just add my thoughts to this same entry. It has been a long and fun journey throughout Korea. I will definitely be back in the near future.
As I was talking about my room yesterday, well I have tested it out. It is excellent! I do have to say, the futons in Japan are thicker! Aside from a slightly sore back, I was warm/hot the whole night. It was sweet! I can totally recommend the traditional style rooms to anyone!
Well, this morning I was awoken by the landlady. It was a slightly odd occurrence. That being because it has never happened when I was sleeping in her apartment. Anyhow, she woke me to ask if I wanted breakfast. Agreeing to it, I went and ate. Miki was at the table finishing up her breakfast. We ended up speaking with each other for quite a while.
I finished off, by asking if she would help me send two postcards off. If you remember these are the postcards that I have been trying to send from three days prior. She agreed happily and asked how long would I need to get ready.
There is a Korean fast-food joint around here called ‘Lotte’. I havn’t been there yet, and decided that I would get the coffee from there. It is really good, and I would have to recommend the waffle set that you can get with it. Again, the waitress spoke English! Awesome! Good way to end the night.
Thanks for sticking with me in Korea. Tomorrow I head back to Japan. I pray that all goes well.
March 2, 2010
So, because today I am leaving for Japan, I decided to just add my thoughts to this same entry. It has been a long and fun journey throughout Korea. I will definitely be back in the near future.
As I was talking about my room yesterday, well I have tested it out. It is excellent! I do have to say, the futons in Japan are thicker! Aside from a slightly sore back, I was warm/hot the whole night. It was sweet! I can totally recommend the traditional style rooms to anyone!
Well, this morning I was awoken by the landlady. It was a slightly odd occurrence. That being because it has never happened when I was sleeping in her apartment. Anyhow, she woke me to ask if I wanted breakfast. Agreeing to it, I went and ate. Miki was at the table finishing up her breakfast. We ended up speaking with each other for quite a while.
I finished off, by asking if she would help me send two postcards off. If you remember these are the postcards that I have been trying to send from three days prior. She agreed happily and asked how long would I need to get ready.
I told her just a few minutes, and went to go get changed. I packed last night before sleeping, therefore was good to leave.
As we were about to exit, I realized if the post office was close, then I could just leave the luggage here and come back for it. Miki told me that it was closer to the bus stop that I would need to take to get to the airport. So we ended up taking the luggage with. She helped me with one bag.
As we were about to exit, I realized if the post office was close, then I could just leave the luggage here and come back for it. Miki told me that it was closer to the bus stop that I would need to take to get to the airport. So we ended up taking the luggage with. She helped me with one bag.
The post cards were CHEAP! When we got to the post office, I was expecting to spend more than 1,100 won, but it ended up being only 700 won! Under a dollar! To ship to the US and Japan! WOW!
We then made our way to the bus stop talking along the way. The bus stop was really close, and when we got there the bus I needed to get on pulled up. We exchanged information (I hope that we will meet during the summer in KYOTO) and I got on the bus and left. I arrived at the airport about an hour and a half early.
We then made our way to the bus stop talking along the way. The bus stop was really close, and when we got there the bus I needed to get on pulled up. We exchanged information (I hope that we will meet during the summer in KYOTO) and I got on the bus and left. I arrived at the airport about an hour and a half early.
After checking in, I went around and shopped at the various duty free stores. They were EXPENSIVE! I ate lunch, Chinese food: black bean sauce noodles with seafood, and then got my last STARBUCKS of Korea.
My plane was delayed by about 15 minutes. There was this guy from New Mexico, and he was REALLY upset about that. I laughed and shrugged it off. The flight was quick and before I could finish watching the same in-flight movie that I watched on my way to Korea, we were in Japan again. Getting through security and customs was amazingly easy and quick.
After getting through all that jazz, I went to an info desk to ask for a little help on where the bus stop that I needed to go to was. As I was waiting a friend of mine was walking towards the same info counter!
Me on the other hand, I found out where my bus was and made my way to the stop. Along the way I grabbed some travel guides for the OSAKA/KANSAI area. Good info for the upcoming trip! Finally, I’m home. Again, thanks for looking at my Korea. I hope that you will go too!
Stay tuned for more exciting happenings in Japan! Please stick around!
Peace!
~ Charlee
My plane was delayed by about 15 minutes. There was this guy from New Mexico, and he was REALLY upset about that. I laughed and shrugged it off. The flight was quick and before I could finish watching the same in-flight movie that I watched on my way to Korea, we were in Japan again. Getting through security and customs was amazingly easy and quick.
After getting through all that jazz, I went to an info desk to ask for a little help on where the bus stop that I needed to go to was. As I was waiting a friend of mine was walking towards the same info counter!
I called out to him, and he was surprised! Apparently, Igor (Serbian) graduated and was not able to find a job. He said he started too late! In Japan, you start looking for a job in your junior year of college.
Therefore, he was on vacation to the Philippines and Thailand. After those areas, he would be heading home in Serbia! After two and a half years in Japan, he is going home. Safe travels Igor!
Me on the other hand, I found out where my bus was and made my way to the stop. Along the way I grabbed some travel guides for the OSAKA/KANSAI area. Good info for the upcoming trip! Finally, I’m home. Again, thanks for looking at my Korea. I hope that you will go too!
Stay tuned for more exciting happenings in Japan! Please stick around!
Peace!
~ Charlee
For more photos click HERE!
