Second Trip to Seoul
Sunday, October 26th, 2008 | Travel
The first time we went to Seoul was kinda hectic, as it was our first time there, and it’s one of the biggest cities on planet Earth. This time, however, just the two of us went, and we had a better handle on things. We stayed at an awesome love motel where the counter lady asked no questions and took cash without having us write names in a pesky register, meanwhile handing us our complimentary bag of toothbrushes and condoms (I love this country). We decided that on this trip we would accomplish four important goals: getting our visa to go to China (we decided that Beijing is our Christmas destination, as opposed to Japan), buying Christmas gifts for our families, purchasing illegally imported American goods that you can’t find anywhere else at a black market shop, and buying a goddamn box of Krispy Kreme donuts. We accomplished three of the four.
We’re using Xanadu Travel Agency to get our trip to China together (they handle all of the visa processing for us, something which, as anybody who has ever needed to get a visa knows, is a headache saver). If you happen to be in Seoul and you want to check them out, they’re on the 5th floor of a random building next to the big Burger King in Ittaewon. The great thing about going to China is that it’s way cheaper there, and the plane ticket prices are cheaper. The shitty thing is that while we’re there, we’ll be monitored heavily by the Chinese government. Also, I read somewhere that South Korea doesn’t allow you to bring anything in that was bought in a “communist” country. Meh, we’ll see.
Ittaewon was great. After taking care of the travel arrangements, we decided to go in search of a nice hidden shop which we have been told sells American goods (though at a cost). Luckily, we found it and bought items which we cannot find at any grocery store (though for 5 items we paid W33,000). After this, we found an awesome Mexican restaurant and had some tasty tacos and burritos (for us, Seoul is all about eating anything but Korean food). On our way to Insidong, we ran into this awesomely tipsy (it was 3 in the afternoon), “free spirit” middle-aged American woman who was singing and dancing on the Metro. She told us about her experiences living in China and South Korea, told us about how she didn’t really like homosexuality, and then asked us to hold her bag if we found a restroom (sounds like one of those airport safety commercials). Luckily, she found the friend she was supposed to meet up with, and ditched us.
The shopping experience was great. I got what I wanted for the people for whom I am shopping, and will send it home when I feel like it. I also got postcards of “palaces of Seoul”, which I can’t wait to send (assuming I have your address). I need to learn to haggle, instead of telling the salesman I’ll pay W10,000 instead of the W5,000 he asked for. Ugh.
Apparently there’s this nightclub right across from the entrance to Insidong called “Hacker,” and must be THE PLACE TO BE in Seoul, because it had all sorts of amazingly-dressed guys outside wearing earpieces and shades (at night) looking for hip people to invite into the club (I imagine they invite people who, like them, have a monthly subscription to DB magazine). Somehow we were overlooked, though I must say the corner we were on was rather packed (the two of us and the crazy homeless guy who tried to tackle us, all the while asking for a cigarette).
All in all it was a much needed respite from my increasingly terrible classes (thank goodness we switch to a new schedule Thursday). If you come to South Korea, request that you not teach 14 year olds. Look up lazy in the dictionary. Know what you’ll find? The definition of the word lazy, which they fucking are.
Oh yeah, I forgot to get the Krispy Kreme donuts. DAMMIT.
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