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Namsangol Hanok Village
Moran old market
Looking south-east from Achasan
to immigration for 1 day transit stay then
Are there escalators at Seoul's subway station? Is the train station in Seoul at street level? I have been watching some of the Korean TV stations in Los Angelese and have yet to see any escalators at a subway station.
there are some escalators in the busy shopping district stations. The subways are underground
This is a picture of an escalator in one of the metro stations in Seoul that I took a couple of years ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11683866@N06/3034842436/in/set-72157609198642047/
Escalators are available in the mid size and larger stations, but not all of the smaller ones. Elevators are available at stations, but I've been told by some wheelchair bound friends that they are not always functional.
The Koreans and their own particular way of doing things!
This blue-clad Santa Claus has nothing to do with delivering Christmas presents to Korean children. Instead, she works on behalf of American Express, handing out small bars of chocolate to passers by to advertise their 'Blue' credit card.
The Yongin Everland is a very famous entertainment place which resembles Disneyland. It is located at the Yongin area south of Seoul and is worth a visit to experience this worderful theme park with all its wonderful rides, buildings and other attractions. More photos and tips will be coming up at my VT Yongin page soon.
Many traditional restaurants have heated floors and low tables, and you eat sitting down, usually on a pillow, with your legs folded. Make sure you take your shoes off, to spare looks of shock. Koreans eat with their right hands; I've never seen anyone eat with their left hand, which is troubling, because I am left handed. Koreans freely use spoons, so be glad! Spoons for rice meals, spoons for soup, however you want to do it. The uniquely Korean metal chopsticks can be VERY difficult to use for someone not accustomed to them (especially me, trying to pull them off with my right hand). Usually, people share soup meals by ladeling portions into bowls. I do see Koreans pouring drinks for one another, but I think most traditions like this are hanging-on more than they are standards to live by, due to Western influence in the latest generation.
One thing that annoys the hell out of me are the dainty napkins that ALL Koreans seem to use. I am impressed that they can get away with using them, but at each table where you eat, from Burger King to the most obscure traditional spot, they are there. I usually end up using 10 of them a meal.
This leads to another quibble I have- it is somewhat rude to wipe or blow your nose at a meal; I have received stares while doing this. The problem is, the food is so spicy, it is like turning on a nasal faucet. I usually end up with a pile of tiny napkins, which I usually pocket and dispose of later, out of shame, lol! Bibimbap comes with an amazing, spicy, garlic paste, that you can use liberally, to your liking, but beware!
Korean food is usually served in 5 minutes. How do they do it? Well, often they serve the dish in the bowl/burner they prepare it in, so it is still cooking when you get it. Definitely stir.
Also, you always get a tiny metal cup (usually cleaned via UV rays), which you may refill at a water station nearby (or a bottle of purified mul) at your leisure.
A hanbok is a traditional/ceremonial Korean gown. Made in a variey of colors, hanboks are comprised of a long dress with a short top. You will still see hanboks worn throughout Korea on holidays and other special occasions.
Inline skating (as it's called here, easier to pronounce than rollerblading) is a big fad here. One of the best places for it is Hangang Park (on the Han River). Both sides of the river are lined with cycling, inline and walking/running paths (sometimes all in one!) and it can get pretty busy (including the delivery motorcycles that putter up and down the river) but it's a blast.
My route is from Yeouido Park (taking a tunnel under the street--careful it slopes down to Hangang) to Hangang Park then either all the way down to Olympic Bridge (Olympic Daegyo) which is like 20km/2 hours away and back or to World Cup Stadium which is on the North side of the River, so you need to go up/down about 50 stairs and cross a bridge. (World Cup route is about 40 mins each way for me...at a good speed.)
Just bring money, there are numerous stores selling food, candy and drinks along the way. You can rent blades (as well as bikes) at Yeouido Park. Cost is just 3,000 won (USD 2.5) an hour. Buying equipment in Seoul is about the same as at home (USD 100-300 depending on your preference) and there are many places to get them (Lotte Mart, LG Mart, dedicated sports stores).
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Address: 302 Paradisetel, 159 6 Dongkyodong, Seoul, 121816, South Korea
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