How Do I have Fun in Korea??

The famous Seoroksan Mountains...and my husband, Zach (not so famous)
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This is a brief list of random places to go to and things to do in Korea...I will add more later, but this is a start.

Seoul

Cool Areas:

Itaewon: This is the foreign section of town, a bit skeezy, but a necessity. Here you will find English used/new bookstores (www.whatthebook.com), a foreign food market, and delicious international/Western cuisine. You will also find a lot of travel agencies and shopping here, as well as the International Clinic. Avoid this place at night, especially if you are a woman traveling alone.

Korean War Memorial and Museum...understand the history of theis country better!
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Gangnam: This is a fun area where you will find a lot of familiar chain restaurants, cafes, etc.

Apgujeong: The ritzy area of Seoul, you will find an organic/natural foods grocery store as well as THE BEST RESTAURANT IN SEOUL: Butterfinger Pancakes (check out my review). Good shopping and food (as well as a Krispy Kreme and American Apparel).

Hongdae: This is the university area, small but fun. Everyone likes to go clubbing here on the weekends, as there are lots of cool clubs and bars. On Saturday, there is the Free Market (see my review in review section). It's hip and fun, with some cool shopping and eating.

La Festa bars and restaurants in Ilsan
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Myongdon: This is a stop on the subway line. Best area for foreigners in Seoul because the shopping and food are excellent and it is a really fun and festive pedestrian strew to be in.

Insadong: This is the tourist street of Seoul, lovely and very fun. This is where you can get your Korean souvenirs as well as the beautiful and unique traditional Korean paper. There are often traditional bands playing up and down the street. It is very festive and you will also find a number of cool galleries, coffee houses, and restaurants.

Check out the palaces in Seoul (this one is Gyeongbokgung)
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DMZ: I'm going next week, so I'll have a separate entry on this later.

Busan (aka Pusan): I haven't gone yet, but everyone I know says it's a rockin' beach...it's on my to do list.

Korean Traditional Village (near Suwon): This is on my June to-do list, but I hear it's pretty cool. They have traditional performances as well as a replica of a, you guessed it, traditional village. The best thing about it, I hear, is that it is in a lovely spot in the mountains.

Seoraksan National ParK: This is a beautiful mountain range, the most famous in Korea. It has amazing mountains, the likes of which I have never seen. It is best in fall, when all the colors change. However, this is also the busiest time to go. Unfortunately, like everywhere else in Korea, it is packed with people. The trails (unless you are doing some real hiking) are like a freeway. Worth it to see the mountains, huge Buddha statue, and temple...but only for a day. If you want peace and quiet...go in the winter or hike deep into the mountains.

The Korean Bjork performances at the Free Market in Hongdae
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Fun things to do (in random order)

Take a Tae Kwon Do class (you don't have to speak Korean...you'll get the jist!)

Go on a Temple Stay (you can find more info. if you google Lotus Lantern in Korea...they have a listing of all temples that participate...more on that experience later!

Go to the Korean War Memorial and Museum...it's important to understand the war if you want to understand this culture.

Ice Skate at the Lotte World shopping center (not part of Lotte World)
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Go to art museums and galleries...the major museums are great...we just saw a great Magrite exhibit.

Go see theatre...it's so good here because it's fun and usually non-verbal. I suggest Jump, Nanta, and the Sj B-Boy Theatre.

You can upload movies in English on www.blueyoyo.com

for a small fee...good for the movies you can't see in the theatres here or oldies you want to check out, as well as good TV.

Browse the shops at Insadong
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More later! Have fun!