Seoul Searching in South Korea

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Thursday, 09/03/09, I flew Korean Air for the first time and the flight was absolutely amazing. As I arrived in the plane I saw the cabin attendants dressed in a cream colored bottom with a turquoise top along with a turquoise ribbon in their hair. Yes, all women..

I chose to entertain myself by watching some newer movies from their Sky Program but in Japanese. It's great practice since, I'm taking classes once a week. X-Men Origins- Wolverine, Proposal (Half asleep after eating Ba Bim Bop for lunch with red wines), My girlfriend is an Agent(Korean) Night at the Museum 2, Terminator Salvation . . Also playing golf and putt putt in their games section.

For dinner, I had the shrimp pasta dish.

Arrived in about 12.5 hours to Incheon Int'- Went through Customs- Purchased water and seaweed wrapped rice snack for a mere (1,300 won) T-Mobile didn't work, although they said differently b4 I left- Went to information- Purchased a T-Money card to take limousine bus 6002 (9,000 won) to Gwanghwamun. -there is a direct AREX from Incheon to Gimpo Airport (3,200 won) than Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun (1,100 won) time?

Left the airport- immediately saw a golf course- could see the Han River(Hangang River) splitting River North and River South areas- Arrived at Gwang Hwa Mun- Looked for Sejong's Cultural Center to meet my friend- No where in site! -Late b/c flight was delayed an hour!

Went to information center- found the SCC- Went back to use the pay phone after purchasing a calling card from Seven Eleven-Met & translated for a Cantonese couple- Friend arrived & had fried chicken and beer at the Hof and Chicken in the markets North of the SCC about where the Gwang Hwa Mun train stop is .

Saturday morning ate at Sundubu Jigae & Maki Rolls at Gim Bop (did not burn a hole in pockets!)- Coffee at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf- Coffee shops are everywhere! Certain elegance about their shops- Walked to Sejong's Cultural Center, in the middle was Gwanhwamun PLAZA (subway line 5,purple) which hosts largest intersection in Seoul, newly added water fountains & hosting the 2009 International Drama awards- Later heard that Lee Sun Gyun of "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince " made a public appearance at around 7pm- one of few Drama's I watched prior to making this trip- Drama describes the culture for coffee shops. -Gyeonbokgung, one of the many palaces located in GHM-Famous Cheonggye Stream once covered in concrete now flows water from east to west
Myeong-dong - Massive shopping centers with famous Lotte department-Favorite brand ::Codes Combine- Naengmyeon, korean noodle dish consists of buckwheat noodles, served with a cold beef broth, egg, beef, unlimited soup in a cup, originally from North Korea, summer specialty compliment with dumplings-www.cafecomeon.co.kr fresh pineapple banana smoothie , heard the kiwi pineapple isn't as refreshing- Cham Sooth Goal, first Korean BBQ consist of Galbi & Bulgogi, interesting aluminum cylinder shape vacuum paired with Sweet Soju -Late night Sundubu Jjigae with Ramyeon-

Sunday- Budae Jjigae in an underground spot near Gwanghwamun station -River South, GANGNAM (took 30min bus ride)- Nice shopping area- Music from the store front with people marketing with their products outside- Many companies from around the world; Uni Glo & Adidas- Information Kiosk; can take pictures & send to email, games, and of course provide info- Rodeo -ABGUJEONG- www.abgujeong.com Short bus ride to an area filled with car dealerships- Favorite Brand Codes of Codec (Korean brand)- Many expensive shops and boutiques- Waffle ice cream seems common- Believe to be the expensive area for homes- Old yet convenience has a price- Million$$ One bedrooms- Tax payers provide free internet access in between the Rodea area and the L

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