I had been hearing for a long time how amazing Seoul,South Korea was. A couple of my friends had went,and in my mind I have created this futuristic image of Seoul. In my mind,Seoul was 20 years ahead of China in terms of technology. Everything would be clean,efficient, have faster modes of transportation, and pay for everything with rechargeable cards and phone scans. The people would be fashionably ahead of anyone on the east side and know how to party. My hopes for Seoul were high. It was a country where I didn't need to use translation apps,turn on my VPN,bring my face mask or figure out how to tell someone not to touch my hair. As I walked through security leaving Incheon,I was surrounded by a plethora of brown faces and a multitude of languages foreign to me. It was the most diversity I had seen in 5 months,and none of these people were American. I knew then, I had to come back. I had to come back and tell others to come as well. Here are some of the reasons I love the country so much and why YOU need to visit Seoul,South Korea.
1. Easy to Travel around the city
Traveling around Seoul is so ridiculously easy.In Seoul, you can use the bus,metro,or even catch a taxi. I only used the metro during my entire trip.The metro took me to and from the airport and nearly every tourist attraction.I'd like to say I am extremely good with maps and directions. Even if you,yourself are a little directionally challenged, no worries! At one point during my travels,my phone died. All I had was one paper map and a city to explore. Old fashion I know, but it worked! Like I said,it's so simple to get around. Let's not get it twisted,I still got lost a few times but people were kind enough to help lil ole me.
2. Amazing Exchange Rate
Ah, THE EXCHANGE RATE IS AMAZING! $1= 1,145.70 KRW. The average meal costs between 3,000-$10,000 KRW depending on how much you plan on indulging in food. I myself ate Alot of street food that cost me between $1,500-3,000 KRW. It also costs no more than 1,416 for the subway one way(depending on where you're going) Can you spell cheap? Hello! Low exchange rate means more money to spend on clothes,food,and fun activities in the city. Which are obviously the most important things about vacation.
3.Most people speak English
This was a HUGE PLUS for me,who lives in a country where most people don't speak english. It's nice to be in a foreigner country but still have a few comforts of home.All the signs are in both Korean and English. I found some menus that weren't in English,but there were always pictures. If this is not the case,pointing to things always works.There were occasions when I was lost. Actually,there were a lot of occasions.Anytime I would ask someone for directions there were able to communicate,not just point.
4.Shopping Scene
SHOPPING.SHOPPING.SHOPPING.What girl doesn't love to shop? There are tons of shopping markets in Seoul.There are name brand stores we love from home and "Made in Korean" stores we've never heard of. There are shopping street markets everywhere. Even in the train stations! Where I was residing in the college neighborhood of Hongdae, (which I recommend you visit) there were about 5 blocks dedicated to shopping. I bought tons of clothes,shoes,earrings,bags,nail polish,etc. for very cheap prices! I was told to bring an extra suite-case when I went to Seoul because of all the shopping you do. I wish I had listened because I left with so much stuff.
5.Huge Foreigner community
Seoul has a big foreigner community and a lot of diverse tourist which I really loved. Like I spoke of earlier, go through immigration to get into the country was filled with an array of passports.I even saw some of my sisters.There is a huge African American community in Seoul. One of them was from my hometown,and a few others were soldiers on the base in Itaewon.I loved the diversity I was surrounded by as a tourist. I drank Ginseng with Sweeds, ate Halal sandwiches in Itaewon's Turkish community,made art with a Japanese family,etc. There were people from all over there world everywhere I went. While visiting/living in a homogeneous society can be a
1. Easy to Travel around the city
Traveling around Seoul is so ridiculously easy.In Seoul, you can use the bus,metro,or even catch a taxi. I only used the metro during my entire trip.The metro took me to and from the airport and nearly every tourist attraction.I'd like to say I am extremely good with maps and directions. Even if you,yourself are a little directionally challenged, no worries! At one point during my travels,my phone died. All I had was one paper map and a city to explore. Old fashion I know, but it worked! Like I said,it's so simple to get around. Let's not get it twisted,I still got lost a few times but people were kind enough to help lil ole me.
2. Amazing Exchange Rate
Ah, THE EXCHANGE RATE IS AMAZING! $1= 1,145.70 KRW. The average meal costs between 3,000-$10,000 KRW depending on how much you plan on indulging in food. I myself ate Alot of street food that cost me between $1,500-3,000 KRW. It also costs no more than 1,416 for the subway one way(depending on where you're going) Can you spell cheap? Hello! Low exchange rate means more money to spend on clothes,food,and fun activities in the city. Which are obviously the most important things about vacation.
3.Most people speak English
This was a HUGE PLUS for me,who lives in a country where most people don't speak english. It's nice to be in a foreigner country but still have a few comforts of home.All the signs are in both Korean and English. I found some menus that weren't in English,but there were always pictures. If this is not the case,pointing to things always works.There were occasions when I was lost. Actually,there were a lot of occasions.Anytime I would ask someone for directions there were able to communicate,not just point.
4.Shopping Scene
SHOPPING.SHOPPING.SHOPPING.What girl doesn't love to shop? There are tons of shopping markets in Seoul.There are name brand stores we love from home and "Made in Korean" stores we've never heard of. There are shopping street markets everywhere. Even in the train stations! Where I was residing in the college neighborhood of Hongdae, (which I recommend you visit) there were about 5 blocks dedicated to shopping. I bought tons of clothes,shoes,earrings,bags,nail polish,etc. for very cheap prices! I was told to bring an extra suite-case when I went to Seoul because of all the shopping you do. I wish I had listened because I left with so much stuff.
5.Huge Foreigner community
Seoul has a big foreigner community and a lot of diverse tourist which I really loved. Like I spoke of earlier, go through immigration to get into the country was filled with an array of passports.I even saw some of my sisters.There is a huge African American community in Seoul. One of them was from my hometown,and a few others were soldiers on the base in Itaewon.I loved the diversity I was surrounded by as a tourist. I drank Ginseng with Sweeds, ate Halal sandwiches in Itaewon's Turkish community,made art with a Japanese family,etc. There were people from all over there world everywhere I went. While visiting/living in a homogeneous society can be a