Korea

I just got back from a few days in Korea...I loved it and definitely hope to return there someday!

Overview of my trip (I will continue posting about specific places I visited):

Favorite Thing/Highlight:

Touring the DMZ/JSA. It was, I believe, the most interesting place I have ever been. The last active remnant of the Cold War. I booked my tour through the USO, and I highly recommend them. You get a lot of history/backstory that you might not get with another group. Everyone I talked to said that was the best way to go, and I think they were right! Honestly, for some reason the whole experience was really moving, because you see how war has ripped families apart. Our Korean guide escort even talked about how they haven't been able to even have a letter from their relatives in North Korea since the war. She had tears in her eyes as she shared that. It truly is a bizarre, sad situation.

Fave Areas of Seoul:

Insadong was really fun for shopping (as it a lot of Seoul!), but for walking/sitting at night, I highly recommend Cheonggye. It's the riverwalk of Seoul (and according to my friend, was designed based on it), and I think, speaking as a San Antonian, that it is even an improvement on it.

Fave Things to Buy:

When it comes to travel souveniers, coffee mugs and magnets are my items of choice. In this instance, I was also delighted to find that you can buy ANYTHING emblazened with the face of your favorite Korean star. Awesomeness. Also, Korean teas are wonderful, as is the kimchi-flavored laver! You can also pick up some metal chopsticks (I recommend getting them outside of the tourist areas...try a local grocery store).

Favorite Eats:

-no suprise, bibimbap

-rice cakes. Especially glutinous rice cakes. Yum yum yum!

-Ginseng smoothies at Insadong. Try one, Korean ginseng is famous for a reason!

Recommendations for travelers to Seoul:

-Don't bother with taxis. Get a t-money card and do the subway system...it's easy to navigate.

-Try to learn to read before you go. It will help even if you don't speak Korean. It saved me when I was lost on an excursion outside of Seoul (the further you get from havey tourist areas, the less likely it is that people speak English).

-Try the jjimjilbang (Korean spa). Yes, you will be naked in front of strangers. But if you suck it up and get over it, it will be an enjoyable experience! You can even stay there overnight if you so desire, and thus save money on hotel/hostel (accomodation is not very cheap in Seoul).

-Get some helpful itouch apps (itour Seoul, and a metro map were very useful to me!)

There is so much to see, do, and try in Seoul...I definitely didn't get to see everything I wanted to, but I saw a lot and will have to return someday (definitely a place I wouldn't mind living...).