Korea: Solo in Seoul
It’s been a while since I’ve roamed a new city on my own. I’ve grown accustomed to asking for the city’s finest coffee, and having J conjure it for me from a careful triangulation of internet sources. When we are out and about, I vocalize a destination and like the Citymapper that he is, I follow him there. We map a city noting its craft breweries and hipster coffee shops, and along the way, we stop in at clothing shops, knick knack emporiums and home stores where we buy super random things by which to commemorate our journey.
My job in these journeys is the food. I know my way around an Eater review, keep lists of recommendations from friends and colleagues for everywhere I can. And of course there’s the ‘gram. J and I have a vibe and an approach to travel that just works. We take goofy photos and we blog along the way. It’s pretty great.
But before J was my partner and travel muse, I still did a pretty good job of seeing the world. I made friends in hostel bars. Wandered 20,000 steps in a day (before there were step counters!). And I plotted out the things I wanted to see, and then I saw them. There was no reason to think I couldn’t harken back to those old days and go old school during my time in Seoul.
I won’t lie that I was feeling a bit rusty as I set out to see the city, but I quickly got my groove back. I might not be a natural at reading a map, but that doesn’t mean I can’t figure it out (now that I understand what the shadow on the map means… thank you J!)
So, with this solid skill in hand, I made my way around. Seoul seems to have 3 core activities: eating, posing and shopping. Let me break these down.
Eating. This is a topic that’s best covered in pictures.
Is Seoul the city that inspired Instagram? Given the endless opportunities to pose with objects, people and places, it might very well be. Everything seems designed for the ‘gram. I’ve seen people placing babies, pets and obvi, themselves in front of it all. When in Rome…
And, the shopping. Tbh, I’ve been largely sitting this one out. Why fall for beauty products I’ll never have access to again? Why stress myself out over clothing sizes that will put me into the multi-xxxs. And, having only packed a carry on, why risk having to check a bag on the way home. Also, this very real looking horse in a mall put me off malls.
More to come on sights in Seoul, but in the spirit of initial observations, here’s a view I’m getting very used to: I may be the only person not carrying an umbrella. Short person view for all your enjoyment.
