We're in Seoul!

Streets in Seoul near our hotel.

Goodbye Busan!

Yesterday afternoon we arrived at our hotel in Seoul. Apparently we looked lost once we stepped out of the subway station and onto the street because an Asian man asked us (in broken English) if we needed help. Already Seoul was a pleasant change from Busan.

Maybe the highs of Japan were still lingering once we arrived in Busan, making us quick to judge. Maybe we spent time in the wrong neighborhoods and that's why we felt a bit bitter. Or perhaps Busan is just different, socially and culturally from Seoul. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed our time in Busan, but so far Seoul has proven to be a bit more enjoyable.

We've already noticed that there are a lot more tourists and English speakers in Seoul which makes things a little easier.

We are staying at the Grid Inn which we found by making our way through a maze of alleyways filled with family owned restaurants, office spaces and retail shops. It's neat to wander around and see people cooking in the back alley way (which actually also serves as the front door to their restaurant), or working in their small business or trophy/award/plaque/medal shop, which oddly are everywhere. It's a wonder how some of these stores stay in business.

View from the door, the size of our room. No really, that's it!

Cute space

Each time we pass by the front desk, the attendant stands up and greets us/watches us until we leave. How polite but also a little awkward. 

A few of the many trophy shops!

Dunkin' Donuts is all over Seoul

Olive Young is THE drug store for beauty and on every corner

Last night we walked to Myeong-dong, one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul and what a sensory overload!

Now just imagine walking down the street and in one minute you smell chicken, fresh oranges, chocolate, seafood and then soap, while a song is blasting in your ear, only to have a different song play even louder in the other ear, with people shouting at you; flapping flyers around; flapping food around. Then, look to your right and you'll see someone in a panda costume waving at you, while someone dressed as a foot is on your left (no really, it was a foot with no face and two legs and arms coming out of it). Try doing that for another 30 minutes without tripping over yourself. That was me and I couldn't have been more excited. 

Caught awkwardly enjoying dumplings on the street

To end the night, we had bibimbap at a place called Gogun, which we both really enjoyed, and then went back to our hotel to map out our next few days here and book our accommodations on our next stop.