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Since my last post, I have:
Visited a bunch of traditional markets and done some awesome thrift and bargain shopping! (pants for $2, corduroy dress for $1, brand new vintage-style dresses for $6 each). I found the super cheap stuff in bargain boxes and piles near Dongdaemun Station. The dresses were in the underground shopping center at Myeongdong. They had lots of amazing deals! I also did some significantly more expensive shopping for my family at the TonyMoly outlet. The good thing about spending so much is that you don’t have to pay the sales tax if you show your passport.
Gone on tour! I visited the Gangchon Rail Bike Park, Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm. To be honest, if you’re a short-term tourist I wouldn’t recommend visiting these places. They’re kitschy and fun and don’t have any cultural significance—they’re just for Korean locals looking to have a fun day trip and take cute photos. During my tour I met a group of Filipino-Hawaiian college students on vacation in Seoul for their first independent international trip. I had a lot of fun talking with them about Filipino-American culture and language politics and I gave them tips about traveling around the world. I’m not a baby traveler anymore: I’ve transitioned from caterpillar to larva. Someday I’ll be a butterfly and take flight everywhere! We planned to meet up again at the Myeongdong night market.
Met new people! In addition to the students, I’ve gotten to spend time with my roommates and other interesting people at my hostel. I met Chinese women here for face surgery; apparently it’s cheaper here than in China and there are visas specifically for this. I met strangers who gave me ominous wisdom. Most of the guests at my hostel are from other Asian countries, with a handful from Russia and Europe. I’m the only American.
Tomorrow I’m going to visit the DMZ and learn more about North Korea. I have a couple of acquaintances who have actually crossed the border and toured there, but I have no interest in doing that. Not only is it potentially dangerous, but the tour is incredibly manufactured so you get no real glimpses at what life is actually like for the average citizen. Hopefully tomorrow will shed more light on the situation overall. Until next time!
