Seoul - May 2014

We had time for a morning walk while in Seoul.

Our hotel was quite near the U.S. and Japanese Embassies, and also near the Korean President's Residence.  There was a limo out front, waiting to be escorted somewhere, with the Police Motorcycles lined up and ready.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

We headed off to a nearby hilltop palace.  It is surrounded by a "Great Wall of China style" wall, built ironically, to keep out the Chinese.  But, during an invasion several centuries ago, the Chinese were victorious, and took the castle and the then King.  (Google General George S. Patton, and read what he says about "fixed fortifications") 

(pretty cool place however, and popular with Korean hikers)



Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Some of the trees were showing foliage in what looked like fall colors,

even though it is still spring time.  Pretty.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Now guys, I try to be as open minded as I can...but this was a tough one.  Sautéed Silk Worms.  It's not that they looked gross, actually, they didn't look all that bad.  The problem was...the "aroma"...actually a "smell", like poop set on fire, and pungent !  It hung with us as we walked on, drifting through the trees.  Our friend and partner did not even bother trying us on that one.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

We had another chance to visit Namdaemun Market.  Third time for me, and each time, I manage to penetrate a bit deeper, see a little more.  It is a very busy visual environment, with photo ops everywhere.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Just about everything there you can think of that a Korean household would want to buy.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

A bedding guy...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

A doll and souvenir guy...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Glass ware...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Quite a chaotic looking arrangement of buildings and alley ways,
easy to get turned around and find yourself walking the same street twice.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

I had earlier seen several people carrying large bunches of flowers,
but hadn't found the "center" of flower activity, until this time.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Tons of them...all varieties...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

 

It's hard to differentiate one's shop in such a crowded environment,
so this lady does it with yellow signs.  Color is everywhere.


Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Along with some cool bikes... 
The area is so congested that motorcycles,
tiny "trucks" and hand carts are the usual form of transport
for folks restocking inventories.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

It was early, and the sellers were still arranging and getting set up. 
These alley ways would be quite crowded in a couple more hours.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

We headed down a stairway that looked like it would allow us to cross under the street,
and may provide access to the subway...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

We found "retail space, wherever it will fit...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

But instead of a subway, there was additional retail space below.  Vast.  It ran a great distance to the left and right of where I was standing.  You never know what you will find...unless you go look.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Finally, we stopped in a small palace just a block or two from the hotel. 
I like to take photos of people doing silly things so their friends can take a photo. 



Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

These stones are "Ranking Stones".  Saw the same type in Beijing, in a place where the emperor holds court.  Here, as there, only the King walks along the central walkway, with guards on either side.  Then, visiting dignitaries would line up to the left and right, each finding a stone according to his social rank, and lining up beside it.  Note there is enough room between the stones for the visitors to like completely prostrate on the ground.  This little guy "photo bombed" me...and made the shot.

You wanna' see cool things ? 
Well, they don't come to you. 
You gotta' go look !

Y'all take care,
- Mark W. Laughlin