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As in LG’s motto, life is good; great actually. I’ve been hanging out with friends and family, still discovering and experiencing different things in Seoul. Since every little thing is different, I’m finding there is too much going on too quickly for me to blog about which is why I’m probably going to blog about once a month at this rate.
For instance I’ll go on a mundane jog but find myself lost in a gargantuan wholesale clothing market nearby dongdehmoon. I went inside one of the many buildings there and it had floors and floors of little stalls selling so much clothes; finding your way out was like being in a maze.
The city is also changing with the season. Right now Seoul is full of Christmas lights and decorations which is pretty and festive. I’ll randomly get off a different stop and find a beautiful skating rink which literally took my breath away. I love getting ‘lost’ here because I find so many new things. On a whim I’ll cross the street and find a new bookstore with nice cafes that I didn’t realize was so close by and while I was trying to find the closest subway stop to go home I discovered a huge luxurious department store and hotel showcasing a heartwarming Christmas wonderland display.
(click for more pics)
I’m amazed by the vibrant economy here. Construction is constantly going on with new roads, trains, bridges, apartments and buildings popping up everywhere. Of course shopping is another indicator of the economy and I feel the quality and wide variety of Korean and international produce is overwhelming when I go food shopping at the dept. stores or other supermarkets. (Yes you can go food shopping at the dept. stores) I feel like they have much better goods than friggin Stop N’ Shop or Whole Foods and the service is better. In terms of luxury goods, you can find every name brand here but i feel like the prices are more outrageous. (esp. the shoes!) Thankfully the bargain shopping is just as good here…
I feel a strong sense of national pride and hard work ethic here in people’s conversations, TV shows, the news, the commercials, people’s lifestyles etc. They study and work so much and play twice as hard; often ending sleeping the work night at a friend’s or a sauna when the last train or bus left. I feel like Koreans constantly compare themselves to foreigners and are often conscious of where they stand in the world. It’s an exciting time here; moreso with the upcoming elections tomorrow. (it’d be nice if we can get the day off for voting in the US too) I’d be surprised if anyone other than Lee Myungbak wins.
In other news I have a new part-time gig with my cousin’s friend. He is a professional pool player who owns a couple pool halls and wants to improve his English because he hopes to compete in the US. Too bad my pool vocabulary is a little lacking. I’ll be starting my new schedule at the hakwon next week. It’ll actually mean that i have to wake up earlier than 10. =P
Posted in Korea and Travel 4 years, 1 month ago at 6:19 am. Add a comment
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