Flying Solo

I like being alone. I like walking aimlessly for hours, stopping for coffee or a snack once in a while to read a book or catch my breath.  It's my kind of fun.

The chilly Korean air and my fever were in a violent war but I joined the palace tour anyway.

Took this outfit shot of Ate.  I just love wide sidewalks, clear skies, and kalbo trees! :))

Changdeok Palace

The sky was so blue and clear that I didn't have to edit my photos!

Normally, I could go on walking for hours, but with fever, negative temperature, and poor choice of clothing (short skirt + leggings) I tapped out and retreated to the cafe inside the temple grounds.  The others continued to another temple after the quick pit stop

Meanwhile, I went back to the hostel to add another layer of clothing, then back to walking! This time, alone and clueless as to where to go.  Found a Lotteria branch and tried their bulgogi burger!  My Korean friends told me Lotteria is Korea's Jollibee.

I stumbled upon this (and there's a bigger office beside it) and I was really impressed at how tourist friendly Korea is.  I think even though you don't speak, let alone read Korean, you won't have any difficulty going around because the government really values tourism.  Visit Korea's website is so informative, it has basically everything you can ever need, yet they still have info centers like this all around Seoul (or South Korea?).  Good job!  The kind lady working there gave me the schedule for trains bound to Daegu and even advised me which time and train would be best.

By night time, I was still alone so I decided to look for Myeongdong. Myeongdong was supposedly walking distance from our hostel, and if I have walked like... 5 subway stops, finding Myeongdong shouldn't be that hard.

But I didn't find it.  Heck, I wouldn't even know if I did.  Instead, I found myself in a busy area full of noreabangs (karaoke), pubs, and chicken houses.  I kinda assumed it was Myeongdong.  The problem with me is, once I walk, I have a hard time changing directions even after I realize I'm going the wrong way.  So after I reached god knows where, I decided to buy a face mask (just so I didn't walk in vain!) and head back.  That's when I saw this:

Apparently, this is Cheonggyecheon, an artificial stream than runs from Gwanghwamun (which I wanted to go to and didn't realize I was almost there!) to Dongdaemun.  That night I showed these pictures to my sister and promised to take them there. "It was just near Myeongdong!" My Myeongdong.

Looking at the map now, I realized that was one hell of stroll, add the fact that I was sick. Haha! I think I should study the map now, so next time I won't take the subway that much.

What's with the name?  But it was super yummy. I think it was more expensive than Starbucks?

And of course, a cup of steaming hot chocolate to defrost my insides...