The Adventures of Wild Will: Seoul, Korea

Seoul

Seoul gives me the feeling of a less dense New York City. There are tons of amazing places to eat, drink, have coffee, and party. Seoul has an amazing eating and drinking scene. There are also many nice parks and sights to see.

Food

Many Korean style meals are interactive with cooking meats and veggies in the center where everyone can grab different foods and wrap them up in lettuce and munch away. Meals are very social and often include either soju (korean liquor) or beer making each meal loud and full of laughs and fun.

(Steak)

(Sam Giap Sal)

(Homemade Kimchi Stew)

There are tons of street food stalls and many are open late for the drinking customers. This type of stall has everything tempura: shrimp, hard boiled eggs, squid, corn dogs, hot peppers and much more. Everything is about .50USD-1USD and is served with a free cup of soup which is priceless when it's cold out. The warmth of the hot oil and food brings fellow drinkers huddled together around endless food and is a must try korean experience.

Cafes

Seoul has tons of cafes with many different themes and decor. My favorite cafe was Cafe Comma which has a library theme with bookshelves and ladders. Comfy library like chairs are good for hibernating in the cafe and getting school work done or working on your blog. The most popular cafes with the tourists are cat and dog cafes.

Cat Cafe

Dog Cafe

More Fun!

JSA and DMZ Tour

This is probably the most popular tourist attraction in South Korea and while it is very much a tourist thing and not so cheap it is a must do in my opinion. The DMZ is the demilitarized zone 2 kilometers thick that runs along the boarder of south and north korea. JSA is the joint security area where diplomats from the south and north have peace conferences and negotiations. North Korea invaded South Korea sparking the North Korean war in 1950 which lasted 3 years and resulted in 5 million lives lost. After this tensions have spiked and eased between the two countries.

JSA

Highly trained soldiers stand ready to act on anything that could happen

(North Korea on the other side)

I'm technically standing in North Korea taking this picture in the building where diplomats have and still do meet to talk

(Microphone wires divide north and south korean border)

Propaganda village in North Korea where no one lives. This place has fake houses and lights that come on at night. Sometimes North Korean propaganda can be heard from south korea from loud speakers giving way to the name of this village. When South Korea put up a giant flag on it's side of the border North Korea responded by building a larger one. This flagpole is the third largest flagpole in the world at 160 meters high and a flag weighing 270 kilograms.

DMZ

(Third largest flag in the world)

(Bridge of no return where refugees crossed before the borders were sealed)

Tunnels

Four tunnels have been discovered as attempts by north korea to launch surprise attacks on South Korea. The first tunnel was discovered in 1974, then 1975, 1978, and the fourth as recent as 1990. There are believed to be many more tunnels and South Korea continues to drill looking for more tunnels.

Third Tunnel

(Pictures are not allowed here)

War Museum

This is one of the best museums I have been to in a while and the best part is that it is free. There is no excuse not to visit this place if your in South Korea. Not only is this place super informative and interesting but it also gives you a sense of being in an action/war movie with special effects, installments, and short 4D movies.

(early battle ship, the original is 2.5 times larger)

Sit in the drivers seat of an old tank

Visit the many temples and palaces

Gyeongbokgung

This is the most popular Palace and is famous for the changing of the guards ceremony

More old villages and palaces

I can't remember the names but I think they are all pretty similar so just pick some and explore the pretty gardens and architecture

Climb some nearby mountains

Bukhansan

This is especially beautiful in the fall

Seoul Tower

Couples but locks here and throw away the key to resemble their love. This comes from a korean drama and many touristy neighborhoods get their fame from Korean dramas

Cheonggyecheon

This is a very scenic little creek that runs through soul with a park built around it. A perfect place for a stroll with many couples holding hands and kissing

Jimjilbang

Jimjilbang is the traditional sauna and bath house of Korea. These cost only 10,000 won or about 10USD. You get a comfy change of clothes, get naked and relax in the many different bathes and saunas, then meet your friends in the male/female mixes section with more saunas to enjoy together. The best part is that you can stay the night there sleeping on little bads which can save you a nights accommodation. To get the full experience you have to eat hard boiled eggs that you must crack on your head and enjoy a sweetened rice drink. Many of these places have restaurants, arcades, and gyms. The next day you come out of this place feeling like a new person!

More things to do

Explore more parks and neighborhoods!

Many parks are located on slopes with amazing views of the city. I took an afternoon playing badminton in one of these parks with an amazing view and would recommend this.

Kimchi Sinchon Guesthouse!

I stayed at this place for more than three weeks and it became my home. The staff become family and your room mates quickly become friends. The rooms are the cheapest and your located in Hongdae which is really cool university area with great food and nightlife all around. The common area allows a 24 hour hangout where you can eat, drink, nap, watch TV, play darts, and much more.

Cross dress and go to a show

It's not very common to cross dress and my friend Frankie had some serious balls to go out that night. I admire his courage. We went to Homo Hill and ended up stumbling upon a live show!

Hang out with friends!

Eating and drinking with friends is the best way to experience Korea! Drink Soju and learn the customs while eating from some Korean people. You will love it.