Seoul Searching: Lost in Translation (and a Whole Lot of Humidity)
okay, deep breaths. seoul. it’s…a lot. let’s just get this out of the way. i’m a freelance photographer, perpetually chasing the perfect golden hour (which, let me tell you, is a competitive sport here). i arrived last night, and immediately felt like i’d stepped into a hyper-saturated movie. it’s 27 degrees celsius, feels like 30.1…the humidity is thick enough to swim in. i just checked and it's…damp. yeah, that’s the word. damp. and the air smells faintly of exhaust and something sweet, like caramelized nuts.
i landed around 7 pm after a surprisingly smooth flight. the airport was a bustling hive of activity - the kind where everyone seems to be moving with intense purpose. grabbed a kimbap (because, duh) and wrestled with the T-money card. seriously, those things are designed to induce frustration. found my guesthouse in *Ikseon-dong, which is adorable if a little cramped. honestly, it feels like you’ve wandered into a movie set dedicated to old Korean houses.
the neighborhood is a maze of tiny alleys packed with cafes, craft shops, and restaurants. the lighting is gorgeous, especially in the evening. i spent most of yesterday wandering around, trying to soak it all in and photograph the details - the intricate carvings on the doors, the colorful hanbok worn by locals, the steam rising from street food stalls.
one thing i’ve noticed is that everyone is so incredibly polite. even when i’m completely butchering the Korean language (which is often). i heard that you should always have a small gift ready when you visit someone’s home. someone told me that bringing a small box of chocolates is a safe bet. don’t be that tourist though, they warned me, gotta blend in!
actually, yesterday i was trying to find a specific tea shop mentioned on a travel blog, and i got hopelessly lost. ended up in a quiet courtyard where a group of elderly women were playing go. it was the most peaceful moment. it really made me appreciate slowing down and just observing.
Food is obviously a huge draw here. i’ve already devoured countless bowls of bibimbap and some seriously delicious street food. yelp reviews say the Gwangjang Market is a must-see, apparently the best place to try authentic Korean food. i’m planning on checking that out tomorrow.
Neighbors are super cool! you can easily hop on a train and visit Busan or Gyeongju - it's like having a whole other country at your fingertips. it’s a crazy accessible city.
i’m keeping a close eye on the weather. the forecast is predicting more of the same humid, hazy stuff for the next few days, which honestly, i’m okay with. it’s just…different. it’s definitely not like the dry heat i’m used to.
i'm trying to avoid tourist traps, but i did hear from a local that the Bukchon Hanok Village* is beautiful at sunrise - worth battling the crowds, apparently. someone also mentioned that the coffee scene here is insane, so i’m definitely going to have to explore that.
so, yeah. seoul. it's chaotic, it's humid, and it’s absolutely captivating. i'm going to keep wandering, keep exploring, and keep trying to capture the magic.
i'll be posting more photos and updates soon! check out this photography portfolio for more of my work. And if you're planning a trip, here’s a handy guide to getting around Seoul. Also, Yelp is a great resource for finding restaurants!
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