So Long to Seoul

Korean dancers.
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I have found the Buddhist traditions of this culture have overtaken me.  For a lack of a better phrase, I am "at-one" with the pace of life here.

Seoul is, on the surface, a bustling metropolis thriving in commercialism.  If you dive a little deeper, and look past the masses on the metro, the streets filled with shoppers on Saturdays, and the sky-blocking buildings; you can see how people stroll through their days at an even keel.  They take in the little observations with a smile, like the little kid on the metro platform leaning over to catch a glimpse of the on-coming train as he positions his toes strictly behind the yellow line.  Or, the couples walking with intertwined fingers whispering and giggling to each other as if the chaos around them is imagined.

Musicians in traditional wear.
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I have nested in this place.  Taken on the lack of hustle, and the utter appreciation of a smile.  Courtesy is a normal comfort in the greeting as you enter any establishment, and the nodding bow of thanks as you leave are commonplace.  Today, on my last day in Seoul, I walked through Insadong once last time.  The street was packed with tourists and locals alike, and amongst the crowd, a young man stood with a sign that simply stated "Free Hugs" written in Korean, Japanese, and English.  The thing was though, people were taking him genuinely, and there was a line for the embrace gratis!  This is why I will miss this place!