Come To An End

For my final class related blog post, I'd just like to say thank you to those of you who took the time to read about my Korean travel experience. I know sometimes my post can seem to long winded, filled with more pictures then one would prefer (oh but I love posting pics). If you may have taken anything away from my post, I hope that it's the realization of how cool and educational traveling is. I truly believe traveling opens something in your mind unlike anything else can do. Just like going to school teaches and exercises your mind. It's one thing to read about place in a book, or watch a suave documentary on Nat Geo, but to actually visit these places is something of another realm. I know I'll keep traveling, visiting new and exciting cultures to further my understanding of the world. I hope you all will too when time and finances agree with doing so!

best,
-TDtravels-

Fall in Seoul

Ah yes, what a beautiful time of year right? Fall... though if you're from Hawaii (like most reading this are) you probably haven't had too much experience with Fall. We pretty much get a long summer that extends it's self for most of the year, and maybe two months of a "Hawaiian Winter". Thats about it, not much deviation. However, in Seoul all four seasons prominently present themselves in full form. A very HOT and muggy summer, chilly beautiful Autumn, harsh bone chilling winters, and colorfully vibrant Springs. There's something to a place that gets to experience all seasons. Each has it's own character and uniqueness to it. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss some of that living in Hawaii. Though at the end of the day, who can really complain about Hawaii weather? Heading out for the beach in your board shorts or bikini on a mid January day truly is hard to beat. All though, since I was in Seoul for Fall, why not soak in the experience and beauty of it all; enjoy it for the time being. Which is exactly what I did. 

As I mentioned earlier, Seoul is a prime place to experience Fall in action. The trees turn a vibrant variance of red, yellow, green, and litter the streets with leaves. I was fortunate enough to arrive in Korea towards the end of summer, when it was still pretty warm and lush with life. During my time there I saw, and felt the transition into Fall. It was delightful, and quite peaceful. The daily temperatures range from the low 50s to high 30s normally, making for what is arguably perfect weather (maybe not for you beach freaks though). At the very least, it was a splendid change of pace from my average day to day high of 84 and low of 75. Now that I'm back in Hawaii, I appreciate the fact that I live in a place where extreme weather is nothing more than a myth of far away lands. Today Seoul had a high of 40 and low of 30... sheez, and it's only gonna get colder. I actually do enjoy the cold weather though. I love snow and being in it. Every time I leave the island during winter and find myself in a cold/snowy place I'm ecstatic. Thennnnn I'm there for a week or two and get sick of it... typical human nature right? Yearn for that of which you don't have, only to get it and want back what you did have. Anyways, I think that should suffice. Here's some pretty pics of my experience of Fall in beautiful Seoul (more like beautiful stinky Seoul that is).

Seodaemun Prison

Talk about a spooky place. This former prison located in Seoul stands as a chilling reminder to the horrors of years past. Seodaemun prison dates back to 1908 when it was first constructed. Originally having been built by the Koreans, it was taken into the hands of the Japanese as they conqoured Korea in 1910. The Japanese used this Prison to house Korean patriot fighters and various other "criminals" up until the end of their colonial rule in 1945. Once the Japanese colonial era ended the prison was back in the hands of the new Korean Republic and continued to be used until 1987. Today the facility is a museum open to the public. 

I definitely suggest any tourist of Seoul take a few hours to visit this chilling place. Walking the various halls of the old cells and viewing the torture basement really do strike a nerve deep down in one's bones.  I've had the opportunity to visit S1-13 in Cambodia and Auschwitz, and though maybe no where on earth can top the horrors of the latter, Seodaemun Prison's past is down right disgusting. I can't say you'll have a "fun" time but it's sure to be educational and informative. I had previously known of the Japanese occupation in Korea, but had little depth into the cold-hard history of it. A trip to Seodaemun will surely bring anyone up to speed. Anyway, words can only describe the experience to a certain extent. Here's some pics for you guys to check out.

some sort of water boarding

they'd stick you in there for hours

prison cells

prison wall

exterior of the execution room

exercise area for prisoners, they'd just walk back in forth separated from  other prisoners

Budae Jjigae

This week I'd like to write a post talking about one of my favorite Korean dishes I discovered. I'm talking about Budae Jjigae aka "soldier food". This is a Korean dish that was first created during the Korean War in the 1950s. Being that food was scarce, people would gather whatever they could find, throw it in a big pot with some ramen, and stir it up. With America playing a pivotal role in the war, many foods from the soldiers (hence the term "soldier food") were included such has spam, hot dogs, pepperonis, and cheese. Fifty years later the result is what Koreans consider a unique and cultural food, one which is very popular. You can find restaurants that serve the dish all over the place, making it quite difficult to decide on one spot. There is one chain of Budae Jjigae restaurants that is most famous though. This place of glory is called "Nolboo". Man is it good! I've eaten at one of their locations at least five different times. Before coming to Korea I had never heard of the dish. Nor have I ever seen a place in America that serves it. Korean BBQ is very popular here in Hawaii, I'm sure Budae Jjigae would be a smash hit. Maybe I should open a franchise and become a gazzillion-air hmmm...

The famous Nolboo logo. When ever I'd see this my taste buds would start to boogy

-TDtravels-

A very SEOULfull Halloween

I know I know... Halloween has come and gone, but you know what? I never got around to writing a post specifically for the spookiest night of the year. Anyways here ya go, better late than ever. Sooo Koreans are well aware of this very American holiday. Some choose to recognize it... most don't, but thats okay! Theres still plenty of haunts for all us spooks to seek out and enjoy the night of terror. I checked out a couple different areas of Seoul in hopes of finding my celebrative brotherin. First Gangnam (the area famous for the song named after it). Not much was going on though. Gangnam is a real fancy area, comparative to Beverly Hills in LA. Next stop was a Hangdea, a university area. I thought there'd be a bunch of stuff going on, but not so much. There was a little bit of festiveness in the air, but I was hoping for more. Lastly I checked out Itaewon, which is the seedy foreigners area. I wouldn't say it's dangerous, but definitely the kind of place where one might find them self in a brawl. As I had suspected though, this turned out to be the most Halloween friendly spot. There were all sorts of folks walking around in costumes, drinking, and living night to the fullest. If you've ever been to Halloween in Waikiki, its nothing like that, but still not to shabby considering we're outside of America celebrating an American holiday. I was armed with my brand new tailor made suit and a horse mask, dancing "Gangnam Style" all over the place. Twas a night to be remembered. I never leave home with out a camera, so here ya guys go! I took plenty of pics, and I even put together a vid for this one. Enjoy.

Click here to see my vid!

Hike if you dare!

This week I checked out an infamous hiking spot right in the center of Seoul. This isn't your average leisurely stroll though, it's got some kick, and a boat load of history to go along with it. Bugaksan hike is nestled along the ancient city wall which dates back to the 9th century. Over 800 people died constructing the wall and it still stands today in proper shape. The wall goes along a mountain leading up to a 1000 foot peak behind the "blue house" which is the South Korean Presidential home. Being in such close proximity to the blue house, the hike is heavily guarded by military soldiers who have numerous post along the wall. One must bring with them their passport, and check in for a visitor's pass at the entrance. Pictures along the hike may only be taken in designated areas for security purposes. You walk along a wooden stair cases that has been built parallel to the wall, and are allowed to stop only at designated rest areas (trust me, you'll need um). Don't think about straying away from these stairs though, they have motion sensors set up everywhere to alter the soldiers if someone so foolishly did so!

Since the Autumn season is in full swing, the views are SPECTACULAR. Hundreds of yellow and red leaved trees can be seen sprawling along the hills of Seoul. As I mentioned earlier, this hike and mountain are not with out an infamous history. In 1968 thirty one armed North Korean commandos snuck their way into the South and headed for Bugaksan. They used the hill and it's forest in an attempt to assainate the then South Korean President, being that it leads to the back of the blue house. However they were stopped in their tracks, and all but one were killed in an epic gun fight. Since then, these dudes don't mess around with Bugaksan. Like I said, it's heavily militarized and you MUST bring a passport to get in. Even this is fairly new. Up until two years ago no one was aloud to enter.

You'll also be in for a cultural experience as you get to see how Koreans go about hiking. They love bringing lots of food and setting up pick-nicks. They also love drinking soju as they hike (I'm a drinking man myself, but when I think of hiking and drinking at the same time my stomach quivers). Unfortunately you won't see to much soju drinking as it is forbidden on this particular hike (probably the only hike the entire country with this rule). In any event it's beautiful, good exercise, and a plate full of fun! I'm sure even the most anti-hikers would enjoy it.

on we go!

awesome view

love those autumn trees

view from the top

at the top

ancient gate at the beginning




-TDtravels-

The DMZ

Hey there once again. Okay, so this week was fantastically interesting and plays into a topic we briefly covered in class a few weeks ago. I'm talking about The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. Jeeeeeeeeeez what a crazy experience. I want to say it was exciting but then have to stop myself and think of all the lives and unnecessary violence this whole situation has cost. At the very least it was interesting (and I don't mean the kind of "interesting" people tend to use these days when what they really mean is it sucked). This is the last remanence of any type of Cold War situation going on in our world, like a sort of time capsule. Theres so much to say I can't really put it all into words. How bout I just run down the process of the whole ordeal and show ya some pics?

You start off by hopping on a bus and heading north of Seoul, roughly 35 miles (can you believe Seoul is only 35 miles from the North Korean border?!) Then you start heading through all of the various check points of which there are several. You do all sorts of activities like checking out an observatory that over looks North Korea and one of it's propaganda villages (where no one actually lives), going down in some underground tunnels the North Koreans had dug, and all sorts of other stuff. All was very interesting, but it wasn't until we went to the Joint Security Area (JSA) where you REALLY felt the tension. We had to unload our bus and hop on another one, this time being escorted by a US Army soldier who gave us all sorts of information and updates to the situation. They led us to a conference room where we were debriefed and told what and what not to do. For instance, no pointing, no face making, no nothing. Also we had a dress code which consisted of a collard shirt, long trousers and, no rubbah slippahs (sorry brahdahs). I then proceeded to sign my life away, acknowledging my understanding that I could be killed at any moment and that if so, they're not responsible.. no sweat right?! After that we headed for the JSA, an area where North Korean soldiers literally stand next to South Korean soldiers, only separated by a think concrete boundary. Obviously stepping over the boundary or anything of the sort is a big NO NO, for both sides. Wow, what a crazy experience. Oh, did I mention while standing outside at the JSA (where we were only allowed to do so for roughly 7 minutes) that supposedly North Korean snipers had their sites on us and were constantly taking photographs? So thats what were told anyways... it's a bit hard to decipher at times what really is true, and what is propaganda unleashed on us, just like North Koreans have their own propaganda, only our's is a bit less harsh.

Okay wheeew, lot of talking. Here's some pics, only they can do any sort of justice to this extraordinary experience. I'll also throw in a pic from when I was on the North Korean side. Yes, I've been to both North and South Korea, but that's another story...

going down in the tunnels 

dmz sign

North Korean guard watching us

Our US Army escort along with South Korean soldiers standing guard.

Christmas card for the relatives?? Probably not...

This is me standing on the North Korean side from when I wen their last summer.

Notice the North Korean guards... they're protecting me from..... the south I guess?????

-TDtravels-