This week I continued exploring Seoul, mostly staying in Hongdae and jumping around different places whenever I could. I slowly started to understand how the subway and bus systems worked the more I went on them, and it wasn't too hard to figure out how to go somewhere with the help of Google Maps and Naver Maps. I had to run some last minute errands, and I found yet again a lot of good food places hidden in alleyways and side roads. My school required me to get a TB test in order to move in the dorms, so I spent that one day going back to Hongdae before taking the bus to the Chung-Ang University Hospital. I had to eat breakfast, and I walked to this crepe place where they decorated the crepes with cute heart shaped strawberries. Then, I shopped around Hongdae and bought a few clothing items before going back to AK & Hongdae to get another croffle. I wish they had croffles in Hawaii, it's probably one of my favorite treats that I've had in Korea!
The bus ride from Sinchon to Chung-Ang University is about 45-50 minutes long. When I arrived at there, I had about an hour to spend before my appointment, so I tried venturing around the school campus in preparation. It was a lot of walking and I got lost a few times because the school was just that big. It was on a hill, so running around trying to find buildings was extremely tiring. When it was time for my appointment at the school hospital, it was a bit confusing trying to explain to the nurses that I had to get a TB test since none of them spoke English, but I used Papago and my limited Korean again and got the test done after an hour. I was starving and so I made my way to this restaurant where they were serving kimchee fried rice with different meat options to add on. The food was satisfying after a long day of walking and waiting.
On the next day, I had a sudden craving for ramen, and found this amazing ramen shop with tonkatsu ramen for only 5,000 won. I had yet another confusing interaction because after I paid for the ramen, the shop owner handed me this ticket shaped paper with the logo of the coffee shop next door. She told me something, but all I could make out was that I had to go to the coffee shop with the ticket. I went there and they gave me an iced americano, and I came back to the ramen shop confused with a free cup of coffee. I still don't know what happened there, but I'm not one to complain about a free drink! My ramen was ready soon after, and it was very tasty and rich. I also stopped by at a Compose Coffee later in the day and got a banana smoothie. On the top of the drink, there was some banana flavored chips which made for a nice combination.
Afterwards, my friend asked me if I wanted to go out for a bit, so we went out and ended up in Dongdaemun! I wanted to go to the fabric markets, but they were closed since we arrived a little later around 5pm. However, we did visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and took a lot of pictures there. Seoul Fashion Week usually takes place in here, and although it happened in March 2022 and won't be happening again till October 2023, the place still managed to boast it's excellency with the abstract architecture and effective space it had to offer. Inside the "bean", as me and my friend would call the structure, there was a lounge room, art exhibition, and gift shop, as well as a café and one of those screening art shows all in one. The "bean" was huge, and I would totally come back there again. We ended the day with some amazing KBBQ around Sinchon, and I ate a waffle with ice cream as I watched the street performers singing.
My goshiwon days soon came to and end and I had to pack all my items to move into my dorm. Calling the taxi was easy using the Kakao Taxi app, and I arrived at my school's dormitory within 30 minutes. I had to wait in line and go through the process of doing a rapid test, then signing a few forms and finally I was in my new living space. I realized that when I arrived at my dorm, I didn't bring any bedsheets, blankets, or pillows, so I had to make a quick run to some supermarkets for all of those necessities. It turned out to be a frustrating experience since a lot of stores were closed and some didn't have bedding. I found bedsheets at H&M out of all places, and a blanket and pillow at e-mart. For the next few days before school started, I mainly rested in my room after almost 2 weeks of going out and exploring Seoul, as well as meet up with the other UH students at my school for meals.
Not too much for this week other than some good food and the move-in process. I'm a bit nervous for school since it'll be my first time in a while having full in-person lectures and also in an entirely different country. But with the new friends that I've made, I'm sure I'll have fun as well!
Mentioned apps
Kakao Taxi - convenient for calling taxis near you. you can put your destination on the app, so it saves explaining to the taxi driver where to go. after the ride, you can pay with cash or with your t-money card
Mentioned places
5000 won tonkotsu ramen - Yamano Ramen - 2 Myeongmul 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea (at the time of posting this, the image on Google Maps is not updated to what the actual restaurant looks like)
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