Almost a yr ago, I visited the metropolis of Seoul in South Korea for the marriage of one of my sons to a Korean female. I had previously met most of my destiny daughter-in-law’s own family. However, I had in no way been to Korea earlier than.
Exploring Seoul, the most important metropolis in South Korea, changed into now not difficult. In a metropolis of almost twelve million, one would not anticipate this to be the case. The Metro device is easy to navigate, and taxis are extraordinarily affordable and clean to get. Most drivers but do no longer communicate English, or it’s miles exceptionally constrained. But with a map of the town or a deal with, there’s no problem, and all regarded to be very useful and friendly.
In one example, when I changed into going to the house of my future daughter-in-law, there were many condominium buildings, and he drove around until he became sure he had the best cope with. I liked that he did not unceremoniously unload me wherein he thought the deal with could be. Another time when I changed into traveling one of the many palaces, the motive force pulled in so I would not cross the strain and pointed to wherein the doorway became. As a lady by myself, I did not experience uncomfortable or worry about touring in the city on my own.
On the go to the National Folklore Museum, while I was looking around, a younger lady came up and requested if I would love her to expose me everywhere. Although there has been some English on the signage, she instructed me extra massive history records that I could by no means have recognized otherwise.
After coming across that, I turned touring the town to wait for my son’s wedding to a Korean female; she took a particular interest and showed me the entire method of lifestyles from historical times to the present. It turned into very beneficial in assisting me in apprehending Korean lifestyles and customs and their wedding traditions. After the tour, she directed me to the following location I deliberate to visit, which become inside easy taking walks distance.
My next stop becomes the Gyeonbokgung Palace, which means that ‘Palace Greatly Blessed by way of Heaven’. Construction of the unique palace commenced in 1395 and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. But between 1592 and 1598, it became razed with the aid of the Japanese invasions and turned into not rebuilt till 1868. At this time, approximately 500 homes were built at the over 40-hectare website online.
I turned into beaten through the immenseness of the grounds and the numerous homes. Planning to fulfill my son here, I found the futility of ever locating him as I wandered from one building to another. We eventually met up at the doorway/go-out gates, where we watched the precise procedure of the changing of the guard’s rite.
Our subsequent forestall became Deokgung Palace which is also a part of the Joseon Dynasty. The return of the construction had mystery passageways to the Russian Emissary, which exist today. My son and I have been able to catch the changing of the guards here as well. Each of the ceremonies is executed at scheduled instances throughout the day. At each palace, the guards wear conventional apparel. However, the attire and the traditions are pretty extraordinary among the two courts.
Later, being joined via my destiny daughter-in-law, we made our way to Insadong Street. It focuses on the traditional Korean way of life, folk crafts, and traditional clothing, as well as a middle for artists, artisans, and art enthusiasts alike. Art activities and galas are held frequently along this seven-hundred-meter lengthy road, and motors are not permitted in the course of weekends. The stores have been thrilling, and tea changed into provided for tasting at one save, which become a great respite on a frigid wintry weather day.
On another day, two partners and I went to Myeongdong Market. With its limitless shops, shops, and stalls, it is reputedly one of Seoul’s busiest locations. It includes department shops and purchasing department shops which can be interspersed with avenue stalls selling less expensive gadgets with costs that can be negotiated. An accomplice who had lost her glasses sold two pairs for a complete of just over $200.00, consisting of the eye exam and a total wait time of below one hour. It is taken into consideration the final purchasing experience in Seoul.
Other sights in Seoul are Namdaemun Market, the oldest and largest in all of Korea, dating back to 1414, and Jongmyo Shrine, devoted to the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. Built-in 1394, the Japanese burned it down all through the Seven Year War. It changed into later rebuilt in 1601. We stayed at a hotel reasonably central to most of the traveler sights and, if now not a very good stroll, as a minimum, not a long taxi ride. Surrounded via an assortment of consuming establishments, the rooms have been clean, and wifi becomes available.
