Cheongju in the Cold: A Digital Nomad's Unexpected Detour
so here i am, typing this from a tiny cafe in cheongju, south korea, where the weather decided to be a total jerk today. it's -6.14°C right now, but feels like -13.14°C because the wind is just... why. i checked the forecast, and it's not getting any warmer, so if you're planning a trip, maybe bring a jacket. or three.
i didn't plan to come here, honestly. i was supposed to be in seoul, but my bus got delayed, and i ended up in cheongju by accident. and you know what? it's kinda charming in a sleepy, underrated way. the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rare these days.
i overheard someone at the bus station saying that cheongju is "the seoul of the 90s," which i guess is a compliment? or a warning? either way, it's got this old-school vibe that's hard to resist. the streets are lined with tiny shops selling everything from vintage clothes to handmade pottery. i even found a little bookstore that smelled like my grandma's attic-in a good way.
"if you're here for more than a day, check out the early printing museum. it's not as boring as it sounds, i swear."
i took that advice and went. and yeah, it was actually pretty cool. cheongju was one of the first places in korea to have a printing press, and the museum has some ancient texts that made me feel like i was in a history documentary. not gonna lie, i geeked out a little.
but let's talk about the weather again because it's impossible to ignore. the humidity is at 33%, which sounds low, but trust me, it's not. the air is so dry it feels like it's sucking the moisture out of your skin. i've been chugging water like it's my job. and the pressure? 1029 hPa. whatever that means, it's making my head feel like it's in a vice.
if you get bored, daejeon and seoul are just a short bus ride away. but honestly, cheongju deserves more than a layover. it's the kind of place that grows on you, like a weird but lovable houseplant.
i also heard from a barista (who was way too cool for her own good) that the best kimchi stew in town is at this hole-in-the-wall called "mom's kitchen." i haven't tried it yet, but i'm planning to. apparently, it's the kind of place where the owner will yell at you if you don't finish your food. sounds like my kind of spot.
anyway, that's my messy, sleep-deprived take on cheongju. it's not perfect, but it's real. and sometimes, that's all you need.
p.s. if you're into weird, off-the-beaten-path places, check out tripadvisor or yelp for more hidden gems in the area.
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