SOUTH KOREA Summer Vacation 2017

Day 1

Finally, the day has come! I am embarking on my second big Asia trip. After visiting China and then Japan last time, this time I am going to South Korea. A friend of mine who is from there has taken care of the flights and everything. I booked the hostels myself. The stops of the trip will be Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Daegu, and then back to Seoul.

Right after arriving by plane, the sister of my friend is waiting for us at the airport to receive and welcome us. After picking up our luggage, we head directly to a traditional Korean restaurant located at Incheon Airport. Important information about me: I am extremely picky when it comes to food and a vegetarian. The latter is almost unheard of for Koreans. So, after dropping off our luggage at the restaurant reception and waiting for a table for 5 minutes because it is really crowded, we go to the table together. There is a kind of very mild tea as a complimentary drink and I choose Bibimbap. Rice with various vegetables. I try all of them but leave most of them untouched after a short taste. First meal in Korea: Check!

We find a stand at the airport where fans are being painted for free for promotional reasons for the reduced use of air conditioners. They are then available for free use.

After that, we take a subway specially provided for this purpose from the departure building to the check-in building. From there, we continue by subway to Seoul, Yongsan. Incheon Airport is located on an island off the coast of Incheon, directly next to Seoul. After leaving the air-conditioned facilities for the first time, I gradually realize what summer in Korea means.

It is a wonderful 32°C and sunny. First, we take our luggage to the sister's apartment and freshen up a bit because we are going to meet my friend's grandma. In the nearby huge department store, we go to a small ice cream bar. We eat milk ice flakes with mango sauce.

Afterwards, the sister and I go to Insa-Dong, a region of Seoul where there is a large musical instrument store, because I want to buy a small travel guitar. After playing 5 or 6 instruments, I fall in love with a small guitar made in South Korea. The warm sound of the steel strings and the clover leaf on the head probably make the decisive difference. Now with a guitar and accessories as addition, including a bag and a capo, we stroll through a tourist district. Visit places for couples in love and find ourselves in the palace district of Gyeongbokgung.

We pass through a huge wooden gate and find ourselves in a different world. People still have smartphones and cameras, but surprisingly many young people wear a Hambok, a traditional Korean costume that can be rented for money nearby and that entitles you to free admission to the old palace. The palace itself is arranged strictly according to the cardinal directions. First, we visit the adjacent museum and then enter the palace. This one has an exceptional night opening, accompanied by all sorts of music and spectacle.

Already hungry again from all this, we go to a restaurant and have rice rolls, Gimbap. Afterwards, we end the evening with a beer in one of the numerous rooftop bars and, of course, do not forget to inaugurate the guitar. On the way back, the girls discover a dance arcade game and we miss all the buses. We wait with over-alcoholic partygoers for the supposedly coming bus, and then we go to the subway

All in all, a totally successful first day. How could it get any better?