I didn’t want to be stuck in the hotel or on base all weekend, so I just went a little off post on Saturday, but walked for about 4 hours. I saw just a small part of Seoul, Yongsan-Gu. It was really hot and frankly, the walk wore me out but it was nice to see this side of Seoul and experience the culture just a little bit. My one interaction was buying a bottle of water. I don’t know what he said, but gave him a large enough bill that I knew it was enough. I counted it up later and I think that bottle of water was just about a quarter!
Here are some pictures from my walk with descriptions below them (coming soon):
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I’m not sure what this drink is (the other side says “Chilsung Cider”) but it’s cheap, tasty and refreshing!A large Christian Church.A common site in the U.S., I didn’t expect so many 7-11s here but there is just about one every other block in one section of town where I walked!A padded sidewalk. This was a relief by this time on my walk!Another large Christian Church.You can barely see the roofs of these houses but they seem to be much more modest than the apartment buildings all around them. They are located between the tall city high-rises and the river (right beside the railroad tracks).A sample of the road signs. Most have Korean and English (thankfully!).A prominent recruiting sign. All Korean males are required to serve for 2 years in the military or (as I understand it) some other government job. Some, however, choose to make the military a career.The description of an historic site (which I just stumbled over on my walk) from the late Joseon period (1392-1910). It is the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion, where King Jeongjo stopped to rest before crossing the Han River. The next few pictures are of this site, with a description of it in English.Looking up a street on the far side of the Hangang from Yongsan.Crossing under busy intersections through tunnels and passage ways.A really good map of the area but the only thing is English is “You are here”!The description of the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion in English.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Yet another large Christian Church.A view of the city from the bridge crossing the Hangang (Han River).A view of the city from the bridge crossing the Hangang (Han River).A view of the city.A view of the city to include some of the traffic. This was mild.On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/A Korean military monument (apparently honoring Korean “airborne” Soldiers) is on the island just in front of the public vegetable gardens.A Korean military monument (apparently honoring Korean “airborne” Soldiers) is on the island just in front of the public vegetable gardens.Nice hiking and biking trails along the Han River with places to stop for rest, refreshment and exercise.
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