NON SEQUITUR: Quick recap of last night. When I had finally fed myself I went out for a night on the town. This was my first time going out for adult fun in a foreign country so please excuse my giddiness. I walked around the areas closest to Gangnam Station because that's where the clubs are concentrated. I looked for some insight into the best ones and had hoped to visit the famed Noise Basement but couldn't find it (whomp whomp). So I went for one of the next best - Club Mass. They were having a special DJ presentation so I paid 20,000 won (don't worry that's only $20). They of course asked for ID to make sure I was of age but what bothered me a bit was the fact that the guys seemed a tad unfriendly - but not just to me. In general they were really detached with everyone and I'm used to at least getting a smile.
Anyways, I made my way into the club which had a decent layout, poles everywhere, and the usual relatively expensive drinks. Funny thing was the young folks didn't really dance in couples like I'm used to. It was more like a big group dance, everyone facing the DJ with only a few people really feeling the music. I danced like I usually do and many people reacted to me in a number of ways - surprise, admiration, and in some cases apathetic dislike (it makes sense trust me). I left about midnight because I was getting bored, but not until after I got my free drink (which the club so kindly offered - hey we paid $20 to get in so this was a pretty good deal).
It was a tasty lemon drop shot (something I've never tasted). On my way back to the hotel (whose staff welcomed me with genuine smiles upon my initial entry) I decided to replace my lotion and procure my breakfast. After a whole month of getting pleasant greetings everywhere I went in Japan I was surprised at the lack of welcome I felt at the two convenience stores I visited. So I quickly gathered my things and went back for a nice shower. Overall Gangnam reminds me of New York - great nightlife atmosphere, lots of food and lights and garbage and drunk foreigners for the better part of the day. Good fun to be had by all.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Pictured to the right is my new travel companion Ms. Pigit. She will act as my guide and cultural savant from here on out. Ms. Pigit is a Gangnam native who loves to shop and is rather photogenic. She's none too shy and loves to share her knowledge with all who will listen. Isn't she adorable?
13:37 - Upon re-researching all of the places I wanted to visit today I came to the happy realization that nearly everything is well within walking distance of each other (about 5-10 minutes at the most). After arriving at Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station I headed to Jongmyo Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and I got a tour which was really nice and was only $1. I learned a great many things about some of the early history of Korea that I'd never heard and things that are central to this place. For instance, from the entrance and throughout parts of the shrine there is a tiered walkway with the center tier marked off as a place people cannot walk on because it is for the spirits of the royals to walk on (the shrine is dedicated to them). Also, there are two ponds with a circular island in the center that represents the Earth and the square that surrounds it represents the universe. This is a Confucian value, so the guide told us (I forgot the rest). The pond we looked at had a 150 year old Juniper tree in the middle with an emphasis that no living things were present. The place was rather amazing in terms of photographic gold, not that I'm a good enough photographer but I try.
I am currently at a Unhyeongung Mansion, a former residence of a very important person, doing a self-tour that only cost me 30 cents and it is beautiful! I can't even imagine living in such an open air residence. Before I got too deep into the area an older woman walked up to me and asked where I am from. I told her and then she basically invited me to a traditional Korean wedding at 14:00. I had been wondering why people were so dressed up today. She said "I hope you will enjoy it!" I hope so too because I fear that people will look at me funny for being under dressed AND foreign. Here goes nothing!
14:20 - Despite the fact that I cannot understand a word of what is being said what I can comment on is the ceremony and the ritualistic nature of the wedding. I feel like it has their religion embedded deeply within the rites, the bride's dress is really colorful and bright and the groom's outfit is of a more dark and stoic nature. No one seems to have a problem with my being here, besides I'm not the only person who technically isn't supposed to be here. Plenty of people have come and gone in the hopes of witnessing this lovely event. In fact, a man started a brief conversation with me about the ceremony. The officiant is a nice older man with a rather sweet chanting voice and I think the lady MC is narrating the things he is saying (or just adding commentary). Two ladies act as assistants to the couple and like all weddings the hired paparazzi are swarming all over the couple. Each of their parents sit on the side of the bride and the groom respectively. Every now and then everyone starts laughing which shows that this isn't meant to be a solemn event but it definitely is special. The bride had her hands in her sleeves for the majority of the event and only took them down from in front of her face to perform the rites. Towards the end she takes them down again to hug each of the mothers after they salute the parents by bowing. I wish them all the best and thank that one family member for inviting me. Never would have seen that in my lifetime.
17:36 - I went through a bit of the Bukchon Hanok Village, a place where original home architecture can be found, bought too many souvenirs between there and Insadong - a major black hole for tourists' money - visited the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple where the people in the information building were hilariously messing with me in Japanese (they had me sign their guest book which was already full of business people and old folks) and finally made it to Gyeongbokgung Palace. This place's grounds were beyond enormous. There was gate after gate and so many entrances and gardens and side buildings I thought I'd get lost. I think I was only there for about an hour and forty-five minutes but it felt like forever. And it was SO beautiful. I was getting disappointed because I couldn't find this building on water but then I got lucky and took a ton of selfies and pictures with Ms. Pigit. This is my favorite kind of history lesson even if it is laden with tragedy it is still amazing. Three more buildings, a shopping district, and then I am done! My dogs (feet) are crying as we speak.
19:23 - Made it to Dongdaemun, some purportedly awesome shopping area, but barely walked around anywhere because my feet were ready to die. I saw most of it but didn't care at that point because I was tired. I did buy a bunch of gifts for the girls back home, can't wait to give them away because they are all pretty. Interestingly, I thought I could make some sense of the sign I saw because it said 5 *something KOREAN KOREAN* 1,000 won which I took to mean 5 for 1,000 won. The street vendor told me 7,000 total (not too shabby) which I paid so I don't know if I got jipped or if I just made a dumb assumption. Either way 7 gifts for $1 each really isn't bad - but don't mistake that to mean they aren't of nice quality!
Anyways, after a long day I will say that I am satisfied and happy that everything worked out today (even it if wasn't in any particular order that I happened to painstakingly fashion) and tomorrow will be a freaking blast! I will admit that there are brief instances when I want to run away back to Japan because I'm frustrated but I don't let that small part of me ruin this already minuscule experience. There probably won't ever be a reason for me to visit Seoul again and I am determined to make the best of my time here. Now off to my room for the second half of my sandwich (from my lunch with yummy kiwi juice earlier) and some much needed rest. じゃまた！
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