Seoul Searching: Lost in Translation (and a Weird Weather Report)
okay, so i’m still processing *Seoul. seriously, this city is a whole vibe. i’m a freelance photographer, and let me tell you, the light here is chef’s kiss. i was chasing golden hour near Bukchon Hanok Village yesterday, and it was pure magic.
but first, the weather. according to the data i was obsessively checking before i left and again just now? temp: 3.84, feels_like: 0.69. temp_min: 3.84, temp_max: 4.72. pressure: 1026, humidity: 17, sea_level: 1026, grnd_level: 1010. i just checked and it’s… crisp. a little nippy, but honestly, it’s a really pleasant kind of cold. i’m all about layers. check out my packing list - it's a bit of a mess, but it works! [link to travel packing list]
I spent a good chunk of my time wandering through Myeongdong, getting happily lost in the sea of shops. the street food is insane - i’m pretty sure i single-handedly kept a vendor in business with all the tteokbokki i devoured. someone told me that the best place to find authentic Korean skincare is down a side alley near Namdaemun Market. i didn’t quite find it, but i did stumble upon a tiny tea shop that smelled like heaven. I’m obsessed with finding those hidden gems.
Speaking of gems, i heard that the Insadong area is great for traditional crafts and souvenirs. apparently, you can find some really unique pottery and hanji (Korean paper) there. i’m trying to brush up on my Korean so i can haggle like a pro - wish me luck! i also heard that the folks at [TripAdvisor Seoul guide] have some good recommendations for less touristy spots.
The people here are so polite, it’s almost overwhelming. everyone is so helpful, even when there’s a massive language barrier. i did have a slightly chaotic moment trying to order coffee at a little cafe - involved a lot of pointing and exaggerated gestures (i’m pretty sure i accidentally asked for a pitcher of milk). coffee snobs, i’m looking at you. i'm trying to get into the local coffee culture - apparently, there’s a big difference between the drip coffee and the espresso-based drinks.
I’m staying in a little guesthouse near Hongdae. it’s super cozy, but the neighbors are… interesting. they have a lot of late-night music coming from their place, which is kind of cool, but definitely keeps you awake sometimes. if you get bored, Busan is just a short train ride away, and it’s supposed to be amazing. there are tons of cool cafes and street art there, which is right up my alley. i found some really cool street art tours on [Yelp Seoul].
Oh, and Gangnam*? yeah, it’s as flashy as you imagine. definitely a sensory overload. i’m not sure i’m quite ready for that level of… everything. i’m trying to explore a bit beyond the main tourist areas, though. I’m planning to check out some of the smaller neighborhoods and see what I can find - maybe some local markets or hidden temples. I also found a great article on [Lonely Planet Seoul] about some off-the-beaten-path spots.
Honestly, it’s all a bit of a blur right now. a beautiful, slightly overwhelming blur. but that’s the beauty of travel, right? chasing the unexpected, getting a little lost, and soaking it all in. i’m off to find some more tteokbokki. wish me luck in navigating this delicious chaos.
Tags: travel, Seoul, human, vibe, messy