Busan
STAY Angel Hotel (Budget), Lotte Hotel Busan (Lux)
EAT Woojung Bibimbap
EXPLORE Seomyeon & Gamcheon Culture Village
JULIO
Flying into Busan City is tremendous for when you begin your decent, the site of hundreds of misty green covered small islands greet you as you arrive to Korea from the South. We were struck by the natural beauty and that this is something we just didn't think of when we thought of Korea. It was was spectacular and this sensation of being awestruck by the natural wonders of Korea were just beginning and would continue throughout.
We took the airport limousine bus from Gimhae airport to Seomyeon where we booked a hotel for three days before heading off to Jeju Island. Seomyeon was teeming with life around every corner. K-pop blasting from stores, cafes, restaurants and bars and lights flashing and illuminating brightly colored Hangul characters from the ground up to the tops of building. We were not in jungle Asia anymore and perhaps having been born in New York City, the city boy in me was rejoicing for something more familiar and organized. We arrived at the hotel early and enjoyed a boba tea and some snacks which would inaugurate the phenomenal Korean culinary tour which I will be heartbroken to leave. I revel in Kimchi. The rice is so damn delicious, The soups are the best in the world. From the Korean pancakes to the sacred Tteok-bokki, Korea is simply my favorite global cuisine and that tops all of Europe, Asia and Latin America. Food is just healthier, fresher, tastier, easier to digest and more thoughtful here. I look forward to every meal and never long for more afterwards, Whether it brings me back to my life as a Korean monk aspirant or its just that darn good, it is totally satiating and always a treat.
We stayed in a traditional Korean style ondol room with no furniture, roll out mats and paper screens. It was really a fun experience but showed us our cushy ways by the body's reaction to the hard floors, thin bed rolls and no chairs. Nonetheless a good and memorable exercise in Korean culture. The whole deal with the ondol is that the floor is heated, this probably would have been more novel during the colder months but we will never forget it.
Although busy getting our project together with our newfound lightning internet speed, we managed to escape to go exploring and check out some sites on the local metro. Locals travel with refillable credit cards called Tmoney or Cashbee that can be used on trains, buses, most taxis and even convenience stores. We decided to explore Haendae beach and then head of to experience Korean Spa culture wich goes by the name of Jimjylbang at a place called Spa Land (which will get its own post shortly). The train ride was easy and the cars spotless. People on the train were all glued to their very immense and fancy phones (like more than usual) and the ride was fairly silent (but not quite as silent as Japan).
We popped out of the subway to a scene that if it want for all the Korean characters and skyscrapers could have been Southern California or Waikiki. Long, sandy and lustrous beaches stretched for miles along famous Haeundae beach all the way to Songdo. We walked along the boardwalk to neighboring Marine City which was painfully dotted with Trump buildings due to his flagrant licensing of his name to Korean and Asian developers which is synonymous with luxury for some reason. We also took a misty walk through Gamcheon Culture Village which is a beautiful and picturesque town with domiciles built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain. Its brightly colored facades and history of being a refuge for those displaced after the Korean War remind you of Korea's dynamic style, resilience and history.
We enjoyed Busan so much that we returned there from Jeju to soak up more of Korea's second city and more of its vibe started to sink in. Korea is booming and as an American it kinda makes you wonder what happened to our country and why is Korea seem so much more well balanced? The streets in Busan are full of happy Korean young people shopping, eating and going out together. Malls are just incredible and have absolutely everything you can imagine. The shopping is to die for. Convenience stores have amazing products and delicious food. There is quite obviously a consumer culture that can support at least twenty ore more different chains for every sector of goods or services. They are all incredible. Its like a feast for your face, belly, closet and wallet at all times. Korea is awesome and Busan is a great second city that is manageable and super enjoyable.
Marine City
Christina exploring the Seomyun Area
AmasVin Bubble tea
Gamcheon Culture Village
Spa Land at Shinsigae Mall where we treid Jymjibang
Couples matching underwear is a thing in Korea
Christina joining the K-beauty trend
FOOD FACTS: Busan is famous for Dwaeji-gukbap or pork broth soup, rice cakes and fish cakes