I was feeling a little stir crazy as Rhett's birthday approached. I really wanted to DO something, GO somewhere, SEE something outside of our everyday. I get like that sometimes. Maybe that's why being a military spouse suits me... I crave new experiences. We were getting kind of close to our three month mark and I felt like we hadn't really accomplished much and I don't like that feeling. I had the Korean Head Start to look forward to the week after Rhett's birthday but my experience was cut short thanks to a very glamorous sinus infection accentuated by strep throat. Lucky me. Instead of frolicking around the Korean Folk Village with our class, I was sitting in the waiting room of our health clinic with a sleeping baby, praying for a large dose of antibiotics.
Or a beheading.
Whichever one would alleviate the pounding taking place deep inside of my skull. The only thing that broke my heart more than missing the folk village was potentially missing our weekend trip to Seoul. Thankfully, the doctor took pity on me and prescribed me all sorts of potent goodies and said I should be feeling a little better by Sunday. Even though he lied, I decided a little heart and Seoul was just what I needed to beat this thing....
We stayed on Yongsan Army Base because it is literally in the heart of the city and it's really cheap for ID card holders. They also have an information desk manned by locals who can help you get all the information you need during your stay in Seoul.
The weather was WONDERFUL and so despite feeling like pooh, we pressed on. We spent two days using the Seoul City Bus Tour (Hop on, Hop off) and one day using public transportation (subway). We ate, shopped, walked and soaked in the beauty of Seoul. As far as big cities go, this has to be one of my favorites. Even though you can hardly understand each other, the people are SO welcoming, kind, patient and helpful. Especially with your children.
Also, you could explore things all day long without spending one cent. There are interesting things around every corner whether it be art, parks, or monuments. We spent a lot of time just walking and playing. Even the places where you pay an entry fee are ridiculously affordable. The zoo (two adults and a rental stroller) cost us less than 15 USD. And even though Seoul isn't the most stroller friendly place I've been to, they have amazing changing and feeding rooms at every venue we visited.
I'm sorry but any place that offers plush chairs, free water, and air conditioning for mommy and baby deserves a round of applause.
Go Korea.
By Tuesday, I was feeling a little bit better and I swear by the city of Seoul. It's a place that kind of makes you feel like you're wrapped in a big blanket, surrounded by thousands of your closest friends while eating a giant plate of soft, steamed mandu.
It's good for the soul.
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N.Seoul Tower
Oh, how comforting.
Gyeongbokgung Palace where we saw the changing of the guards...
Outside the Korean War National Museum (literally a 5 minute walk from our hotel)...
We opted not to do the museum thing on this trip because we only had a single stroller and Rhett was a wild man. You can explore the planes and tanks for free though and that made Rhett happy.
I had planned on taking us to the trick eye museum but after multiple toddler meltdowns we decided something a little more kid friendly was in order and we opted for the zoo. We took the subway which was an adventure but we made it and were thankful we didn't have to use the gas masks made available at the subway station.
Itaewon- A popular place for shopping and expats. Considering I wasn't in the market for luggage, size 0 clothing and souvenirs made in China... I wasn't that enthused by this place.
I pretty much demanded that we get off our bus when I saw these mosaic poop statues. There is something with Koreans, poop and farts. It's quite humorous. Rhett likes to watch this cartoon where one of the buses is loved because he farts a lot. In fact, there is one episode where a little boy is so upset because his replacement can't fart. It's all very interesting.
Namdaemun Market... awesome.
According to TIME travel, it's the #6 thing to do when in Seoul.
Do it. Do it alllll day long. It's awesome.
I got an eye exam, new glasses and freshly steamed mandu all within an hour.
You can't beat that.
And the below picture made the entire trip worth it for me. The guy who made my glasses threw these in for free. :)
Oh and I got interviewed by a reporter for Seoul's Financial News. The article is in Korean but it still counts as something, right?
Read more about Seoul and the top 10 things to do (according to TIME) here.
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