Day 2 - Namsan Park, Seoul Tower, and Namdaemun Market

I got an early start today. My morning began with a short walk through the financial district, on my way to Namsan Park. I pushed my way through crowds of businessmen and women crossing streets in droves, and coming up out of the subway like ants out of their underground labyrinth. Because parking is limited, and Seoul is a bustling metropolis, the subway is the primary means of transportation. There is, essentially, an entire city underground, with HUNDREDS of stores and restaurants in long corridors connecting subway stations. I felt like I discovered a hidden city when, instead of coming straight up from the subway, I followed the crowds past the subway exit stairs at one station, and turned a corner underground to find shopping as far as the eye could see.

I surfaced and crossed the street to start my hike through Namsan Park. Rather than riding a bus, or taking the arial tram to Seoul Tower, I thought it better to get some exercise and have more time to take advantage of all that surrounded me by walking the 2 miles to the top of the mountain.

The top of the mountain is home to Seoul Tower. A popular spot for lovers, it's sometimes referred to the Eiffel Tower of Korea. The observation deck around the base of the tower is home to hundreds of thousands of "love locks" just begging to be photographed. The brightly colored symbols of "unbreakable love" have really become an amazing, ever growing art installation. I added my lock to the mix, and headed up the elevator to the top of the tower for a quick view before my trek back down the mountain.

The afternoon consisted of wandering Namdaemun Market, which was really quite an experience. Street after street of outdoor shops and thousands of Koreans doing their typical shopping, eating and visiting.

I TRIED to eat Korean BBQ tonight. After the third restaurant turned me away, I opted for a bowl of ramen and a Sapporo at a little Japanese place one street over from my hostel. It's funny how sensitive traveling alone and being rejected can make you! I understand that it is quite a process for them to prepare the BBQ, but the shaking of heads and fingers, and frowns were so disheartening! I just wanted some BBQ! LOL

Tomorrow is a palace visit in the morning, and then a subway ride to the Incheon airport for my flight to Thailand!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy