Hwasu-dong? More Like...Huh?
okay, so. i’m elara, and i’m a touring cellist. which means my life is a constant cycle of airports, dodgy hotel rooms, and trying to find a decent cup of coffee that isn’t instant. this time, the cycle landed me in Incheon, South Korea. specifically, Hwasu-dong.
Honestly? I had no idea what to expect. The tour manager just said, “Incheon, Elara. Hwasu-dong. Be there Tuesday.” No context. No charming descriptions. Just… Tuesday. And here I am.
It’s… dense. Like, really dense. Apparently, it’s the densest ward in Incheon. Which explains the feeling of being constantly surrounded by… stuff. Buildings, people, wires. It’s not exactly the tranquil, nature-filled vibe I usually crave when I’m not wrestling with a cello. I’m staying in a tiny guesthouse - the kind where you can hear your neighbor’s phone conversations. It’s… cozy? Let’s go with cozy.
I did manage to wander around a bit today. The hills are real, y’all. My calves are screaming. Someone told me that the roads are weird because of the terrain, which… yeah, no kidding. It’s like a maze designed by someone who hates pedestrians. I’m trying to find a decent practice space - somewhere with good acoustics and minimal construction noise. Wish me luck. I’ve checked out a few places on Yelp, but the reviews are… interesting. Lots of talk about “authentic Korean charm” and “friendly ajummas.” Which is great, but I need soundproofing, not charm.
Apparently, this area used to be residential, connected to Incheon’s old town. Now it’s a mix of old and new, residential and industrial. It’s… a lot. I’m getting a strong sense of urban evolution, which is cool, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m mostly into finding a place to order bibimbap without having to use Google Translate.
I just checked the weather and it’s currently -10.47°C. Brrr! Definitely need to pack more layers.
There’s not a ton to do here, directly in Hwasu-dong. Apparently, you can check out Incheon Chinatown and Wolmido Island if you’re bored. I heard that Wolmido Island has some pretty decent street food, so that’s a potential mission for tomorrow. I’m also thinking of checking out the Incheon Tourism Organization website for some ideas. https://www.incheontour.com/
If you get bored, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, and Michuhol District are just a short drive away. I’m also vaguely aware that Chung Ju-yung, the founder of Hyundai, had some connection to this area. Which is… random.
Honestly, the whole “multiple Hwasu-dongs” thing is confusing. I spent like an hour trying to figure out if I was in the right place. Apparently, there’s a rural one in Gunwi County. Who knew? I’m sticking with the Incheon version, though. It’s got more… character. And more potential for finding a decent coffee shop. I’m also looking at TripAdvisor for some recommendations. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g608641-Incheon_Gyeonggi_Province-Vacations.html
Anyway, gotta go. Need to find a power outlet and try to download some sheet music. Wish me luck. And send coffee. Seriously.
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