"My first Asian Country Adventure" a Seoul Travel Page by seoulgirl

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View from Lotte Hotel

Here we are in the big city of Seoul! We had both lived in Europe but had never lived in Asia. A big adjustment was the lack of greenery. After living in Montana and Portland it was very concrete for us. There are a few parks to visit in Seoul for a respite when needed. My first year here I broke my leg so I couldn't walk for 7 months. So, I lost alot of time getting aquainted with my new home. The people of Korea are very very nice and hospitable. Housing is very Western and nice. Technology is very advanced. There are alot of English tv stations but not much radio at all. Western products and restaurants are very expensive. The price of Western groceries is very high (nothing like Japan though:)

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A typical meal of Galbi (short ribs) w/ sides

Dining out

There are many many Korean restaurants to choose from. Mostly they specialize in grilled meats and soups. Not many menus are translated. Most are in hangul and are on the wall. I've been in some that do not even have menus. You just have to do what you can to get something on the table. Most bars/hofs open up at 4:00 p.m. Some open earlier on Itaewon and on weekends. The hofs are very loungy and comfortable but pricey, usually 4,000 and up for a beer (4$). You usually get a snack with your beverage order, usually peanuts or shrimp crackers. Always look up to the 3rd and 4th floors of building in Seoul. There are multi levels of businesses. Something not too common in the states. Lots of choices for hofs and Korean restaurants. If you hear the word Bondaegi (sp?) don't get it, it's silkworm larvae. One of the first things we ordered very innocently. Had a menu in Hangul and picked something by price. Eek, squishy in the middle.
There are also alot of tents alongside the road that you can duck into and have a drink and some food. Also alot of roadside food stalls specializing in things like grilled chicken w/ sweet sauce, fish cake twisted on a skewer and resting in a broth, octopus on coals (chewy), pizza in a cup (a new place we found on Itaewon, quite good w/ corn on it), fried stuff (don't much care for, they fry it too far ahead of time and then fry it again to warm it, ugh). I just love there cast iron grills that they put in various batters and put bean paste inside, usually sweet. I find them very interesting. There are quite a few microbreweries in town that offer European style beer.

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Gyeongu area park

Outside of Seoul

I have only explored other parts of Korea once (remember my leg was broke). We went to Gyeongu. I have sense spent some time researching areas and found that there are some cabins you can rent in some National Parks, islands to visit, ice fishing festivals, and the like. Can't wait to get out and explore. But one thing...on a Korean Holiday...they all like to get out of Seoul. So...that's not a good time to go. The pic I am about to load is very serene and beautiful. But...right behind us is at least 100 Koreans waiting to take the same serene picture. I also can't wait to take a ferry to China!!! They have quite a few from Korea.