South Korea

[zosostein]

I have been hired to work at a camp for elementary-aged kids at a South Korean island called Cheju do (or Jeju do). I will have about 5 days on either side of the employment contract where i will be able to visit the island or Seoul. I will be there from July 19 - August 19.

Have any of you been to Cheju do? What should I do with my extra time? It's not really enough to do a whole lot but I figured I would spend it in Seoul because I've heard such good things about the city, and it's huge. What are some "no way in hell you went there without seeing that" items that I can't miss?

Thanks!

 

[brntorng]

I've been to Seoul several times and, sadly, don't recall anything special to see although there's bound to be something. It's primarily a large industrialized city with lots of traffic, crowded, etc. I do recall some very reasonable shopping for some nice items near the US military base, though.

 

[FAST FRED]

I agree pretty much with the previous poster.

It's a shame, but the Seoul Olympics, years ago, perhaps was your best chance.

I do remember a government run tourist attraction in Seoul called Korea House, where traditional dress, music, dance, food and drink were on display and offered as entertainment to visitors.

It was definitely worthwhile.

Maybe things have changed since I was there over 35 years ago, but I doubt it.

I rode a steam locomotive powered train from Pusan to Seoul.

That was cool.

One of the snacks the on train vendors had for sale was little live fish in baggies of water.

The Koreans swallowed the fish whole and then drank the water.

I know, I know.

I found it hard to believe too.

The female divers on Cheju Island are famous for underwater harvesting of pearls, sponges and sea food.

I never saw any of that, but I'm sure you will.

That's probably pretty cool, but otherwise don't hold your breath.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

South Korea is an interesting, lovely, proud country, but I don't think of it as a great tourist attraction.

It rains a lot in the rainy season and the winter cold fronts come roaring down from Siberia.

Siberian cold fronts are as frosty as they sound.

It never thunders in Korea because there are no thunderstorms.

Apparently, the narrowness of the peninsula allows the relatively uniform temperature of the surrounding ocean water to mediate any thermal differential in the on land weather and thereby keep big, lofty thunder clouds from ever building up.

Instead, the seasonal rain clouds over the so called "Land of the Morning Calm" are always low, wet, gray, dreary and silent.

The respectful way they treat and value the elderly members of their families and society and the very high literacy level of their overall population were the most impressive things I noticed while I was there.

Children go to school on Saturdays and everyone in the country can read, write and figure.

They are quite proud of that fact and of their whole educational system.

They're an industrious people, but they seemed very fatalistic to me.

Everyone believed that North and South Korea will eventually be reunited by either politics or war.

And that the US military won't be there to guarantee peace and the division of the country forever.

Korea has been conquered, stripped bare and enslaved each time that either Japan or China has been strong and militaristic and all the Koreans I met when I was there had that mindset and expectation of future conquest.

Either they never built great temples and beautiful cities or those were destroyed whenever the bigger countries attacked each other by going through Korea.

I saw more interesting stuff in Japan every single day than I saw in Korea in 13 months.

That sounds harsh, but that's how I remember it.

However, if you can appreciate and settle for personal and intimate experiences and knowledge, you should get plenty of that during your stay.

 

[brntorng]

Let me concur that it will be the people and not necessarily the sights that you will remember. The Koreans I met were hardworking and very respectful and also enjoyed a good time. One told me that his Presbyterian Church was so popular that they held services one after another all day on Sunday. Something like 10 or 12 services. Now that's putting your resources to use and is indicative of their mentality. I met a Samsung engineer who, during a difficult time for his employer, was required to take a new Samsung sedan as payment rather than a paycheck eventhough he didn't need nor want a car. He never complained about it, but just accepted it as the way it had to be. I also remember the Korean "BBQ" was very good. Nothing like Texas BBQ, but very good in its own right. Have never found anything quite like it in the States.

 

[wild_turkey]

Well I would agree with most everyone that there aren't any obvious, can't-miss tourist attractions. I might recommend Seoul Tower if you want a good view of the city; it wasn't until I saw things from up there that I realized exactly how massive that city is. You could check out Gyeongbok Palace (in Seoul) if you want to a see a glimpse of Korean history. They have a tour that runs about an hour and was worth the money in my opinion. Insadong is a little shopping district in Seoul that has some cool cultural stuff if you are looking to buy things to take home. No matter what you do, be sure to drink some Soju along the way.

I too would recommend eating "Korean BBQ". They bring the raw beef to your table and then you get to cook it yourself on a little grill in the middle. Pretty cool.

 

[workinghorn]

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[FAST FRED]

You certainly did get half of my meaning.

It was intended as equally as a joke and a completely serious prediction of the limited progress I expect South Korea has made as a tourist attraction.

 

[stabone]

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[LAktownhorn]

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[happy fun ball]

My wife's been to Seoul twice in the last year for work. Looked hard for something appealing (she's like that). Struck out. Either try the island, or do your five days somewhere outside the country.

 

[Eating Club]

I think Fast Fred's just joking around. Either that or he's on Kim Jong Il's payroll.

 

[happy fun ball]

I think Stabone's joking around.

 

[HORN_FAN_86]

Been to Cheju do. It is a resort type place for Koreans and Japanese. If you are an outdoors type, you can take an excursion up Hala san, the volcanic mountain which is the centerpiece of the island. Seoul is not exactly close to Cheju. You can take a ferry to Pusan and then a long train ride, or fly from Cheju to Seoul. BTW, July-August is the monsoon season. Be prepared for lots of rain.

 

[Yellow Cake]

Lived in Korea b/w 97-99 and again in 04-05, and met my wife there. Seoul is a difficult city to penetrate, but lots of fun if you know what you're looking for.

I agree with the above poster that Insa-dong (a neighborhood with lots of traditional shops and restaurants) is probably the best "touristy" place to visit, but that only takes about half a day.

In the same area are some nice temples and palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Biwon.

For partying, the Itaewon area (near the U.S. army base in town) is the most English-friendly. If you are looking more for live music, the Sinchon area near Yonsei University has many clubs for 20-somethings (and more hipster English teacher types).

For food, you can get kalbi (grilled beef with veggies -- wrap the cooked meat in the lettuce with the accessories) and tak-kalbi (grilled chicken) are basically everywhere. Itaewon also has lots of non-Korean food, and there is a Turkish restaurant near the mosque that is one of the best restaurants that I have ever eaten at.

There's more to do, depending on your interests. PM me if you want more specific details. If I can't figure it out, my wife probably can.

 

[stabone]

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