Musing While Cruising the Hallyu Highway
If I had my K-drama moment the other day at the Coex Mall and the Bongeunsa Temple, then I had a bit of a K-Pop situation today when I hunted down (in the rain) S.M. Entertainment, JYP and Cube. Let me get this out of the way first, I did not see any K-pop stars in the flesh. I saw some reasonable facsimiles thereof.
Today, I visited Samseong-dong, a vibrant and upscale area of Gangnam-du. I had no real plan for the day. Remember, I adopted ‘the plan is there is no plan’ motto while traveling in Seoul a few days ago.
The motto for Myeong dong should be “Go Big or Go Home!” I had read that Myeong dong was a shopper’s paradise. Absolutely, one hundred percent correct. And for this rainy Sunday evening, it was on and poppin’ throughout the streets of Myeong dong!
Ok, I admit that I have been a little out of whack since July 10 and I admit that I probably should be going gung ho here, here in Seoul lapping up all the sights and sounds. I am, albeit at a slower pace. I knew when I planned this trip that I was picking the time of the year where it most probably rains the most – but is kind of fitting for the task that was hand, right?
Sergeant Jeung Ji Hoon’s duty is complete. He can put the last 21 months behind him and get back to doing what he does best. Oh wait, he does a few things pretty well, come to think of it! Well, just do anything but be soldier in the ROK Army. He has done that pretty well and can now just file it away as something else he has accomplished and accomplished successfully. That will suffice for me!
As I get ready to say good-bye to Insadong, I am beginning to mentally and emotionally prepare for the second chapter of my Seoul-ful adventure.
Really, I did have a plan today. But, as has been the case, I got side-tracked. For this vacation, I have now adopted the motto “the plan is that there is no plan”…well, except for July 10th as there is definitely a plan for THAT day!
Today I actually eased into the day slowly trying to get my footing in this new time zone. I am finally feeling acclimated. I am definitely becoming a K-Metro pro but have to say that this is perhaps the easiest public transportation situation ever. And the Metro stations are like little villages all unto themselves. You never know what you will find. I got duly sidetracked today by a Nature Republic store at the Express Bus Terminal stop. Skin care is a big deal here and admittedly I would have never known about this company had Rain not lent himself to advertise for them. Take a moment and sigh with me…..
Really though, I was on a mission to find more vegan food.
Today I met up with Jay for a morning at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Jay is an adorable spirit who happens to be the wife of the owner of the apartment where I will be moving to on Monday in preparation of Rain’s military discharge. See, the apartment is apparently walking distance from DEMA. Convenient. Oh yes, I’ve done my homework. It is amazing (but not surprising) that Rain makes an appearance in just about every single post! He sidetracks me all the time! But, okay, let’s regroup and talk about the Palace, because it was pretty awesome!
As it turns out, I picked a pretty hot and happening area to stay my first 6 days in country! The Insadong area is hopping with eateries, shops, street vendors and people, lots of people. It is not as crazy and frenetic as Commercial Street in Bangalore. No, there is a more relaxed and chill vibe in here Insadong.
The Fangirl Lane 