The Myeongdong market~

TVXQ really was everywhere ^^' MISSHA's shops were all around the place everywhere you went~

The first day spent shopping and buying food :D Tried couple of street-food-carriages^^ the food was pretty good, no complaints with that and have to say it was easier to buy than I would have thought! :o (The point 1.) Actually the place that caused difficulties the most was our long-time buddy: the McDonalds!! We didn't ment to go there on our first day, but because there weren't many places to eat that would somewhat speak english or provide a meal of which we would recognize, we thought it couldn't be that hard to buy a simple hamburger meal... We were SOO wrong!! So if u want an advice when looking for a places to eat out, I highly recomend the street-food-carriages! <3 Cheap and easy~ Usually tourists are a little afraid of them but DON'T BE!:) It really is easy and IF you need to say something (they don't usually know english) you only have to say the amount (1."hana" 2."dul" 3."set" 4."net" 5."dasot") you are buying and the thank you~("gamsahabnida")! IF the price is not clearly visible with big numbers (and usually IT IS^^) you can always ask how much ("olmana"? OR "olmaeyo"?)

So for example:

"Sillyehabnida~" (excuse me~ OR you can also just say "annyonghaseyo~" meaning hello~)

"igo juseyo" (this please OR i will take this)

you can also say: "igo du ge hago gygo han ge juseyo" (this 2 pieces and that 1 piece please)

"Olmaeyo?" (How much?)

"Gamsahabnida~" (thank you~)

That's it^^ usually all this is almost too much already, so you can just say as little as u want:)

Bought the lemon-soda drinks~ super good!!

Bought a melon and a pineapple on a "stick"~ we weren't very hungry, but it was refreshing~

Have to try next time, idn't get a change today ^^'

Me and Annika~

(The point 2.) Also found out that the people who won't live in the central Seoul (and hear I mean the places near tourists, hotels and attractions~) don't really love the foreigners^^' And again, I don't mean they hate you, but mostly they start staring and avoid you.. I'm no expert, but roughly could say because of the language problems and the difference that their living doesnt depend on tourism~?^^ Also the problem with social class differences in Korea (and trust me you will notice it!) can affect the matter. :/

But all in all mostly the people are friendly and want to help, even without asking which might be a bit of a problem if you don't know were you're going ^^' (Sielläpä sitten selität että ei mitään hajua, ilman että saat itsesi kuullostamaan täysin eksyneeltä turistilta XD)

Underground shopping center next to the young lotte plaza :)

Souu~ The rest of the day went shopping at Myeongdong, which is THE PLACE for shopping^^ <3 Though (The point. 3) you should go there fourish or after because all the fun, street-food and people will not necessarily be there before that~^^' We left after six (which was quite early for the myeongdongs behalf, but we had been on the move since morning..^^') I bought some souvenirs to my sis and parents and food for me <3

Better than lotte, if you really want to buy something :D All there is at Lotte is Prada, Cucci yms~

Smtown pop-up store, placed next to the underground shopping center in the -1 floor at the young lotte plaza~

Gong Cha <3 bought the bubble teas. Was good, mine a little bit too sweet ^^'

Me (having black milk tea) and annika (having toffee coffee)

Forever 21 enterance :) all three floor were full of clothes~ just so you know, The Sale was on the 3rd floor on the left side (back) ^^

THE best shop :D I got to buy all those so called rubish I love <33

this is for my lil sis <3 hope u like them ;)

I think this is going to come a bit of a hapid to write the blog on the guesthouse's rooftop while eating a night snack~ >.<' The view is beautiful though~

Learned today:

-  you will manage with the phrases "annyonghaseyo" and "Gamsahabnida"!

- when going to the myeongdong, go after four!

- don't spend too much time on shopping inside, there isn't much~ streetshops will give you more as an experience, 'cause the people want you to come and buy (and this is not a bad thing, trust me^^)

- the english talking people are hard to find, but its not that hard to buy without english, if you know the were to.

- sleep the morning (though the breakfast is from 7 to 10^^'), but there isn't much to do if you are not interested in sightseeing~

- the dramas are airing all day long, also in the morning ^^

- the Namsan tower is pink today~ (yesterday it was blue)

Annikas notes:

What we're going to do in Seoul~

Go to Ehwa women University, it is popular place for college students -> cheap shopping

Cheonggyecheon Stream, for beautiful view and hangout place

Han river, to see Bridge Rainbow fontain, visit Cloud cafe or Sunset cafe for beautiful view of the river

Seoul Grand Park, for nice outdoor hangout and zoo

Incheon Grand Park, need more fresh air 

Namsan Tower, to get beautiful view of Seoul ( there was filmed one scene for "Boys over Flowers")

Hanbak cafe, to dress in traditional korean dresses and take pictures in them >\\\<

All the best,

Laura (and Annika)