South Korea Trip, August 6

Annyeonghaseyo!  Hello Gangnam!  It will be a hot and humid 33°C (92°F) with cloudy skies.

Today's Agenda

I'm starting late this morning because I have been preparing for tomorrow too.  No spoilers on that.  Today will be rather simple, but I think that it will be a good day.

• Buy a water bottle.
• Walk the 7-mile Cheonggyecheon Stream.
• Eat dinner at VENEZ. (inspiration)

Today's Experiences

I wore myself out today and developed blisters from walking too much.  My plans for tomorrow in Gwangju are going to be very difficult after today.  Maybe I should postpone that trip and have a relaxing day.  I'm not sure what I would do on a relaxing day.  All I know is that my body hurts right now.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

The Cheonggyecheon Stream is a restored stream that was once ruined by industrialization.  Paths beside the spring and urban artwork can be enjoyed next to the water.  The stream is seven miles long.

When I arrived this morning, the stream was closed due to the rainfall.  Rainfall can cause the water to suddenly rise.  That's okay.  Instead of walking in the bed of the stream, I walked along the sidewalk next to the road and peered over the guardrails at the urban artwork.

After I had walked along the road for a while, I found the silver lining to the stream being closed.  Check out these sights that I otherwise would not have encountered:

The most interesting sights were the little shops everywhere.  Very thin storefronts lined the road.  And in the pedestrian underpass, even more small shops were to be found.

The stream was reopened just as I got to the end.  I went down to the river and took some more pictures:

I'm not sure where the river ended.  I got lost.  Instead of walking seven miles, I walked at least ten.  At one point, the path forked: to the right, I could go to the metro; to the left, I could continue being lost.  I went left.

It was getting close to 6pm, so I decided to take my next opportunity to get out of the park that I had found myself in.  I found a bus and took it home.

Going Shopping

Next door to my home is a Seven-Eleven.  On my way back from my adventure at who-knows-where, I went inside and bought a few groceries.  I didn't see a water bottle, but I think that an empty Powerade bottle will do.  *chug chug chug*  Yea, now I have a water bottle.

VENEZ

I cleaned myself up and put on some nice clothes.  I hailed a Black Taxi because I was too exhausted to walk to the bus station.  After a relaxing ride in a luxury car, I arrived at VENEZ.

When I went inside, they noticed quickly that I was not good at the language, so they gave me an English menu.  It is good that they have an English option, but I needed the Korean menu.  Hyelin of EXID reviewed VENEZ on her food Instagram @yamyamlini, and she wrote the names of everything in Korean, of course.  Just as quickly as they accommodated my English, they accommodated my suggestion being in Korean.

I got what I think translates to a Mackerel Truffle Pasta.

It was really great food.

I kept trying to think that Hyelin had been here before.  (She's related to my tattoo.)  I kept trying to find meaning in that idea, but my emotions just weren't aligned with what I wanted.  I was too focused on the delicious food.

After I ate, I hailed another Black Taxi home.  I really don't need to get into the habit of doing this, but I was exhausted, and the Kakao Black Taxi is the easiest way to get around if you have the money for it.

South Korea Trip, August 5

Good morning Gangnam!  I can see a small amount of blue skies, which is a first for the morning.  It will be slightly hotter today, topping out at 33°C (91°F).  I will have to stay hydrated when I go outside.

Today's Agenda

Today will be an easy day.  I need to do a few chores: wash clothes, pay a couple of bills back home, and sew a button back onto a shirt.  Oh don't worry, I won't spend the whole day inside.  Here are my plans:

• Eat at Angel-in-Us down the street.
• Come back home and do chores.
• (Tentative) Visit Namsan Tower and eat at n.GRILL.*
• (Alternate) Eat fried chicken at 잔비워 (inspiration).*

* I invited a friend to join me at Namsan Tower tonight.  I'll decide after she responds whether I'm going to n.GRILL or 잔비워 for supper.

Today's Experiences

Today was eventful and exhausting.  I am actually writing this tomorrow because I am not up to blogging tonight.  (I'll change the tense as if I'm writing this today.)  Oh, the day was fun!  I am just worn out.

Angel-in-Us

I had a craving for American pancakes and coffee to start the day.  Korean pancakes are different, and I will have those at some point, but today I wanted something sweet with a lot of carbs.  Angel-in-Us came up in my search.

I enjoyed a nice scenic walk to the restaurant.  Because it was still relatively cool in the morning, it wasn't insane to walk the distance.

After my walk to Angel-in-Us, I asked the girl at the counter (in Korean) if she speaks English.  The answer was "아니요" ("aniyo"), which means "no".  I don't know why I asked this, because it doesn't matter with regards to whether I can order or not.  It's a silly question that I don't think I will ask again.

I ordered an Americano and a pancake topped with icecream.  It hit the spot. 😋

Gyeongbokgung Palace

I wasn't planning to go to Geyongbokgung Palace today.  I finished my chores and decided to relax until supper time.  My body is tired and wants rest, but my mind is too eager to explore, so my rest didn't last for very long.  I decided to go to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

I am impressed not only by the size of the palace but also by the details in the constructions.  It is also amazing that every single little detail has a symbolic meaning.

Before exploring the outside and taking the above pictures, I went to the on-site museum.  I feel like I gained a deeper understanding of the culture.  When I went outside, I appreciated the palace buildings even more.

Korea is a society of tradition and ancient culture.  The most famous royal artists were not those who could express themselves but rather those who could paint in the customary way and knew the established symbolism of various items.

Korea did start to adopt western ideals in the late 1800s, and they continue to bring in outside ideas today, but there is still something foundationally Korean about everything new.  Take this westernized Korean furniture as an example.

I want to know more about this culture and society.  It seems like something worth learning about.

잔비워 Chicken

I think that "잔비워" translates to "Bottom's Up".  This is a place where one goes to drink, I guess.  Hyelin of EXID recommends the fried chicken.  I went to the restaurant and ordered fried chicken and beer.

I am not used to metric measurements, so I ordered too much beer for myself.

Black Taxi

I did not want to take the bus back to my apartment and then climb a massive hill to get to the entrance.  I was worn out and buzzed.  I decided to accomplish another of my activity goals: hailing a black taxi.

A black taxi is an expensive luxury car driven by a perfect driver with at least ten years of experience.  The taxi is not marked as a taxi, and it does not zip through traffic like a regular taxi does.  If you hail a black taxi, your ride will be smooth, easy, and luxurious.  And expensive.

EXID's Hani gave a measure of her success in an interview by stating that she is able to take a black taxi if she wants to.  EXID is the theme of my trip, so I wanted to take a black taxi just like she does.  And so I did!

It was much more expensive than the bus.  The bus ride was 1,200원 (about $1); the black taxi was 30,000원 (about $30).  That is a big difference.

Was it worth it?  I think so -- at least in this situation.  I think that it's better to take the cheaper bus and subway lines usually, but the black taxi is good for those who just want an easy trip.

South Korea Trip, August 4

Good morning Gangnam!  I woke up early at 5am because I am so excited to start this day.  Today will be another highlight day, possibly the most meaningful.  I will try to do a good job.

The weather is still overcast, but it's starting to clear up.  Of course, with the sun not being as blocked, the temperatures will rise. A high of 32°C -- that's 90°F for those back home in the USA -- is expected today.

Today's Agenda

Today is an extremely special day. I have wanted to do this day's activities for over a year. Because this afternoon is so important, I feel like I must spend the morning studying for it. It is very important to me that I do a good job.

• Study and prepare for my afternoon plans.
• Travel to Namyangju for Hyelin's birthday support project.
• Go out with friends to Oak-n-Odd restaurant.

Today's Experiences

Today was epic, but I'm also exhausted.  Half of me wishes that today will never end, and the other half of me is looking forward to sleep.

Travel to Namyangju

I left for Namyangju at noon.  Everything went well until I got to the intercity bus depot and got lost.  Because I was on a tight schedule, I used my "help me!" lifeline.  My friend got me back on track quickly.  Then I hopped on the intercity bus and left Seoul behind!

Outside of Seoul, the fanciness of South Korea diminished, but it was replaced with beautiful lush green forests and cute little gardens.  I was enjoying the ride very much.

The bus arrived at Namyangju too soon.  Maybe I should just take a ride through the countryside one day.  Today, I had plans.

Hyelin's Birthday Support Project

One of the two main reasons that I came to South Korea was to help with this project.  I will remember this fondly, and I hope that we made Hyelin very proud of us.  I think we did something good.

Unfortunately, I must keep the support project activities a secret for now.  It will be shared on YouTube in a couple of weeks by someone.  I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I do want to share an accomplishment I had while waiting for my friends to arrive.  I was thirsty, so I went into a cafe and asked for water in Korean.  The store staff and I chatted for a minute until my friends arrived.

Oak-n-Odd

Hyelin worked at the Oak-n-Odd restaurant after her contract was up, because she just needed something to get her out of the house every day.  She no longer works there, but it was nice to imagine what it was like when she did work there.

I ordered some delicious food, and my friends and I enjoyed it very much!

Going Home

After Oak-n-Odd and then coffee, my friends drove me most of the way home.

It was really nice to be around other LEGGOs (fans of EXID).  We listened to EXID's music almost exclusively, we talked about their show appearances, and we shared stories about interacting with them.

My friends dropped me off a few blocks from my place.  We said our goodbyes.  I already miss them.  I am looking forward to seeing them all again on the 13th.

South Korea Trip, August 3

Good morning Gangnam!  It is foggy this morning, but I still love the view from my pillow when I wake.

The weather forecast calls for rain, which one could guess from the fog and overcast skies outside my window.  The temperature today will be hot but not as hot as back home.  I will be comfortable.

Today's Agenda

At my home in USA, I start my day with a list of goals.  I think that it is an excellent idea to bring that habit to my home in South Korea!  I will share my day's goals every morning, then every afternoon I will update with what I accomplished or experienced that day.

These are my plans for today:

• Finish organizing my home in South Korea.
• Exchange my second batch of money.
• Get a tattoo.
• Visit the National Museum of Korea.
• Eat supper at 소산 (inspiration*)

* Sources of inspirations for my plans are linked.

Today's Experiences

Today was a long and fun day full of adventures!  It was a challenge, and I got lost several times.  But because of the challenges I faced today, I know what I need to study tomorrow morning.  I will improve and do even better tomorrow.

Convenience Store

After getting extremely lost for a few hours, I was exhausted and dehydrated from walking so much.  I planned to ask for water at my destination, because I know that phrase, but I kept getting more and more parched in the meantime.

Eventually, I asked for directions at a phone store that advertised English.  They couldn't help me but directed me to a 7-11 across the street.  The 7-11 gave me incorrect information, further confusing me about how to get to my destination.

I decided that I could not wait until I got to my destination to get water, so I walked to the cooler in the back and pulled out a water, I noticed the price, then I walked up to the cash register and paid the correct amount.  Purchasing a water is a small thing, but it felt like an accomplishment.

Also, I didn't mind being lost so much, because I discovered a really cool area of Seoul.  I may go back.

EXID Tattoo

I officially became a fan of EXID in 2018 because I liked their humor, songs, and fan interactions.  EXID started to mean more to me in 2019 with the release of "We Are..", the song that healed my heart by helping me to let go of a poisonous old grudge and trusting again.  EXID continued to have big influences in my life, mostly indirectly through their activities and updates, but sometimes directly by giving me personal advice.  Their fans -- my friends have also influenced my life, and the fan support projects often push me out of my comfort zone and force me to grow.  I think that everything about becoming a fan has been good.

I decided to get a tattoo of EXID on my wrist.  It is an acknowledgement of their effect on my life's path.  It is a permanent "thank you" for the happiness that they have given me.

Visiting the National Museum of Korea

I visited the National Museum of Korea.  I was afraid to take pictures of everything, so I only took pictures of items that I saw others taking pictures of.  There was a really cool throne in the museum, but I was afraid of being disrespectful if I took a picture of it, so I erred on the side of caution and did not.  These below are the pictures that I did take while at the museum:

I wanted to visit the Hangul Museum afterwards, which is part of the bigger museum (I think), but I was too late.  I had gotten lost earlier in the day, so I was behind schedule, and I didn't make it before the museum closed.  If I'm in the area again, I may visit then.

Eating at 소산

소산 is a restaurant that EXID Hyelin recommended on her lesser-known food account.  It was close to the museum that I had just visited, so I planned a trip there for supper.

소산 was a very difficult restaurant to find!  The GPS took me to a coffee bean store in a back alley of back alley of a back alley.  I walked around the maze of alleyways for a while but had to eventually give up.  I would eat elsewhere.

It just so happens that my friend messaged me right after I got out of the maze and asked me what I was doing.  I was hungry and frustrated, so I hope that I didn't complain too much.  My friend knew of the restaurant that I had just given up on and directed me back into the maze of alleyways and to my desired destination.  (Thank you so much!)

I guess it was because I was so tired from the long day, but I could not read the menu or communicate at all.  The staff was helpful and just recommended a meal.  I think it was duck.  Whatever it was, it was delicious!

South Korea Trip, August 2

I'm gazing out of a giant window in a high rise over the beautiful district of Gangnam -- you know the place, Psy wrote his famous song "Gangnam Style" about it!  I am finally at my apartment here, a very comfortable studio apartment, and this moment seems like a wonderful reward for all of my efforts to get here.  Let me tell you, it was not easy!

Sunday started in a way typical for an upcoming trip.  I finished packing my bags, dropped my car off with a friend, and got a ride to the airport.  The first flight was pretty ordinary.  I went from Memphis to Detroit.  My second flight, from Detroit to Incheon, was over fourteen hours long, and that was not so easy.

Fourteen Hour Flight

Of course, on a fourteen hour flight, I'm not going to put myself into coach class!  I couldn't justify the cost of getting first class, but I got the closest to it that I could.  They put me in a recliner with a blanket and pillow, complimentary noise canceling headphones, and a huge selection of music and movies to play on my personal television!  Some of the food was even good too!

Even so, sitting on the plane became very difficult at around the four hour mark.  My body did not like sitting down for so long even with the nice seat.  My body yearned for a bed or even a place to walk around!  At this point of feeling the pain, I still had ten more hours to endure.  It was hard.

Landing in Incheon

Landing in Incheon was more intriguing than I expected.  I expected the landscape to look the same way it does at home when looking down from a plane.  I expected to descend into clouds that disappeared as we approached.  I expected to see the runway from a thousand feet in the air.  Nothing was like I expected.

The landscape -- the little of it that I could see through the dense clouds -- reminded me of the jagged ridges on aluminum foil that has been crumpled then laid flat.  The civilization infrastructure did look similar to home with the bridges, highways, and buildings; but the random scatterings of mountain ridges that tore like a knife through the planned infrastructure made the landscape look alien.  And beautiful!  All of these ridges are covered in vibrant green flora!

The clouds were different too, and I'm not sure if clouds are just different here or if it had something to do with the typhoon.  The texture was perfect cotton.  The colors were the usual white with blue shadows, but there was a tint of pink underneath.  The layers were numerous, and I imagined us peeling an onion as we descended.  The thickness of the lower clouds lowered the visibility to nothing.  The runway didn't appear until seconds before we touched down.

Entry Tasks

As much as I planned everything out, it was a huge struggle for me to get from the airplane to this apartment!  And I had the most fun with those challenges!

At the airport, most of the signs have an English translation, but not all of them do.  Scheduling a COVID test took me over an hour to figure out because I thought that I needed to find a tent in a parking lot to schedule the test.  No, I needed to go to the terminal next to the west parking lot exit hallway, not the actual parking lot.  The other tasks were not any easier!

Transit Card Angel!

I gave up on getting a transit card.  I understood that I needed to go to a convenience store outside of the airport, but there was not a convenience store outside of the airport.  After over an hour of searching, I just gave up and paid cash for transit.

But then on my last subway stop, as I'm walking outside, I notice a kiosk that has the word for "transit card".  Feeling like I have succeeded after all, I go up to it and attempt to purchase a transit card.  The machine tells me that I'm an idiot, and I stand there staring at it like I'm an idiot.

Soon afterwards, a young lady walked by me, continued for a while, suddenly stopped, turned around, and stood looking quizzically at me as I stared dumbly at the machine.  Passersby go around us but otherwise ignore us.  It's just the two of us and the machine.

After a few seconds, the lady walks up to me and asks in perfect English, "what are you trying to do?"  I respond that I want a transit card.  To that, she explains that the machine is only for refilling transit cards.  Convenience stores are where they are sold.  She points out that the one next to us sells transit cards.

I thank the lady for her direction.  Then she walks me into the convenience store and proceeds to order me a transit card.  She stands there patiently as they process the request.  Then I have my transit card!

I thank the lady for her help.  She asks me what I need to do next.  I take out my todo list and show her the last thing is for me to get home, but I assure her that I know it's just a short walk away.  She brings up a map on her phone and shows me that it is better for me to take the bus for one stop to get there.

I thank the angel for her help, and she dissolves back into the crowd having completed her good deeds.

I ignore her advice to take the bus and instead walk.  I arrive at my appartment dripping wet.

And now I finally go to sleep.