First full month in Korea Pt.1
Been here in Seoul just over a month so far, and for someone who wrote in the previous entry that I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I have to say it’s pretty amazing. I’ve been twice in the past for roughly a week each time, but it was with the full band and a guide. Being on your own is a totally different experience.
I tried to learn a bit of Korean for a month before I arrived, but I learned almost nothing. I guess I just can’t learn anywhere near as quick as I could when I was younger. I got a bit of the alphabet down, but not as much as I’d like. And literally only a couple words. Kind of embarrassing really. But the flight and hotel was booked, so I went anyway.
Yong-Ho from Sahon (featured on Geobukseon on the new album) and his wife Hyeri picked me up from the airport. One of the first things he said was laughing “You got old!”, I told him “I’m retired, I’m supposed to be old!”. Then we grabbed some food and I was reintroduced to the crazy Korean spiciness of tteokbokki and a couple other foods whose names I forget. Otherwise good stuff though, and also tried some kind of milk-ish white wine that was quite good. Then they dropped me off at my hotel for some much needed rest. Thanks again, guys!
Next day was spent exploring, I walked over a bridge and ended up in a giant park on an island called Yeouido. It was a good mix of nature, statues, artworks, etc. I eventually happened across a DC-10 and got to go onboard and check that out and saw a hot air balloon in the distance that I later went to.
Once there, this conversation took place….
“Do I have to know Korean to follow the safety instructions to go up?”
“Yes”
“Oh sorry, I can’t speak Korean. Thanks though.”
“You want go up?”
“Yes.”
“Ok, let’s go!”
And up we went.
Not bad for 25000 KRW, equal to roughly $25 CDN.
At some point over the next couple days I found two (yes, two) video game museums within a 10-15 minute walk of each other. So of course I had to check them both out. First was a Sega Museum located on the 5th floor of the Mario (just a coincidence) outlet building on the 5th floor.
It cost 10,000 won to get in, so an okay amount. I had no idea that not only was there a sega system before the master system but there were Korean versions of several of their systems made by Samsung to get around the Japanese import ban at the time.
Next up was the Netmarble Video Game museum, which of course featured more companies and had like 30 arcade games you could play at the end for free. That was worth the price of admission alone (which was also 10,000 won).
Next update next week will feature the Korea War Museum, general observations and more.
At ease, soldier!
(Btw, If someone going by the name of General Bob reads this, I tried to reply to your message on the contact page, but it bounced back, so I assume your email address had a mistake in it, give a 2nd try)