Monday (Day 16): Today, we went to visit my uncle in Yongsan, a district of Seoul that houses the Korean ‘pentagon’. My uncle is a military general, so we thought that we might get to see inside the building. However, we weren’t allowed to visit because the Korean president is currently working there during the day. It was interesting to hear about Korean politics. Usually, the president is supposed to live and work in the Blue House. But the current president decided not to live there after he consulted with his shaman who told him that he needed to live in a building with underground bunkers… 😅
Anyways, after having lunch at my uncle’s house, we decided to visit the National Museum of Korea. This museum is absolutely stunning. The outside area gives a view of Namsan tower, and the exhibits inside are arranged in a really clever and organized way. I had a genuinely fun time looking at all of the exhibitions. Not only did I learn more about Korean history, I also learned more about East Asian history as a whole: the museum showcases artifacts from all over the world – including China and Japan. There is also a Hangeul Museum (Hangeul is the official Korean language), but we didn’t have time to visit it today. Hopefully, next time I’ll be able to explore that museum as well!
Wednesday (Day 18): My aunt did not have work today, so the four of us decided to take a day trip to Gimpo, an area adjacent to Seoul. First, we went to the world’s biggest cafe! It was 5 stories tall and included photo rooms, a variety of seating options, and a cheese and wine bar; half of the first floor was even dedicated to fresh pastries. We bought so many different types of bread to try, and everything was so delicious!
Next, we went over to Laveniche March Avenue. We rented a boat, and I got to drive it down the river! Before we got on the boat, it was raining pretty heavily. But right before it was time to get on, the rain stopped, and we saw a double rainbow! I think this was the first time I have ever seen a full rainbow; the experience felt magical. As we rode the boat, colored lights came on and illuminated the river. We got to enjoy looking at all of the shops and restaurants on the riverwalk, and I felt like I was inside of a scene from a Korean drama 😁
Saturday (Day 21): I saw Oppenheimer today with my cousin. The acting and the cinematography was superb, and the story in itself was encaptivating (as well as a bit overwhelming to digest). However, what amazed me the most was the score. Sitting in the theater, I couldn’t help but notice how I would tense up or relax with the constant pace of the music, and how the rare moments of silence in the movie would make me unconsciously hold my breath. Having seen Barbie in Bosnia, I’m happy to say that I have successfully incorporated Barbenheimer into my summer travels!
Monday (Day 23): I am leaving Korea tomorrow afternoon. I have spent most of today saying goodbye to family members who I most likely will not see for another few years. I am feeling a mix of emotions right now because this is not just the end of a trip to Korea but to all of my unforgettable travels this summer.
Thanks for reading 🖤