Korea Day 3

My first day going out to explore, and the first time on the Korean Subway. Beautifully clean as I expected, but once you have experienced the fast paced and extremely frequent subways in Hong Kong this just does not compare. But the subways in Seoul are so much larger, and during the rush hour you can understand why, to accommodate the sheer amount of people that travel at those times!

Having been in Hongdae for the last two days, this area was vastly different. Admittedly we ended up here by accident and did not actually leave the station, but just looking at it from this difference you can see. Reminds me a little of the korean melo-dramas that show the people in poverty, interesting as this was my only exposure to what "real koreans" might live like.

This day we set off on a little adventure to Myeong-dong, this is a shot of one of the many underground shopping malls. This one was listed on the internet but actually it was more catered for the older crowd and was quite small. So unless you are actually looking for a present for your nan, I would probably say avoid this underground shopping location.... 

HOWEVER, Once you get outside you are in a dream girls world. Cosmetic shops everywhere, shoe stalls everywhere. Just a dreamy shopping heaven. Myeong-dong is quite a popular place, always listed on the internet travel websites and just about every tourist knows about this location. So if you look like you are chinese, do not be surprised that you will be heckled at in mandarin! And also do not be surprised if the rest of the people surrounding you are chinese and not korean, because the amount of tourists here is immense!

Apparently this is quite a famous bimbimbap restaurant, I was not one to question because I was damn right hungry, edging on hangry.

Being asian means taking lots of pictures of food. It is part of the memory okay? And if you are hungry in Myeong-dong come to this bimbimbap PLEASE. It is filling, delicious and so darn cheap! And the greatest thing about ALL korean restaurants? ITS THE FREE SIDES THAT ARE UNLIMITED. 

A clothes shop that consisted of several different floors, all with a different layout and design. It reminded me of Urban Outfitters, although most of Korea does because half the people are hipster!

CUPCAKES. CUPCAKES. CUPCAKES. CUPCAKES. CUPCAKES

For dinner we opted for something a little "lighter", well when I mean lighter I mean street food. Several rice cakes, my absolute favourite, and these twisty fish rolls!

And a little ice cream to help it all down! This ice cream was not anything special, I think it is just another fun and crazy shape to draw people in, and it sure does! There are so many of these ice cream stalls around the touristy areas in Korea. The outside twisty cone actually tastes quite stale so if you want to buy the ice cream for the taste, probably avoid. Otherwise go right ahead, an expensive ice cream gimic for you!

I read about this little gem on the tourist forums before I visited, it is located in Dongdaemun and is apparently known for attracting lots of couples. They said avoid walking down here if you are afraid of couples haha, I did not quite get the romantic experience but it was still pretty to look at from above. 

We just missed this, having come on a Monday which seems to be a rest type of day for Korea this concert exhibition was shut. I believe it is a 3D Concert experience of some famous K Pop stars but unfortunately as I did not get to see it I do not know, queue sad music.

At the end of the day we just went for another little walk. Rainy and calm.

Reflective Saturdays #6

Sometimes the people you meet in life despite being with you for such a short period of time can make such a big difference. They can make years of friendship in comparison to weeks of friendship into similar things. The people you meet on your journey change you in some shape or form. The people I meet on a night out affect my way of thinking, in some way. The people I see on the streets place a role in how I see the world around me. 

Having been to Hong Kong on several occasions I don't think I expected it to alter my thoughts about my many things. I didn't think I'd meet the people I met, I didn't realise how valuable these few weeks would be. I've met people from around the globe, people who have moved across the globe for work, people who simply came to party, people who came to explore. The people you meet in places like Hong Kong is an endless variety. It also makes you realise how small the world really is, how people are so linked together with all the people we meet. 

Once you've met these wide variety of people you realise people talk to just talk. It matters what you say, but not all the time. It matters what you say if you are saying something hurtful, it matters when it is not the truth; but other than that talk is for fun, which is why language to so many people is a fun learning curve. Me being one of them, language is so enjoyable, it allows you to have a little laugh when you do not want to talk about a serious subject. Just a little giggle about the differences of how people speak, the accents people have or the way people pronounce words. 

All in all, do not ever be afraid to talk, there is no loss in speaking to that person first. In most cases they are probably waiting for you too, thinking the same thing. If they do not want to talk they will probably make it obvious in the first encounter. So then what have you lost? Nothing, if anything you would have lost time thinking about what if. So in other words, without sounding like a nike advert, JUST DO IT.

If you want to speak to somebody, just do it.

If the situation might be awkward, so what? just do it.

You never know, the people you meet in that situation and the conversations you have may change you for the better. The people you meet through one conversation with a single new person may lead to countless opportunities and exciting new direction in your life.