Saturday was our last day in Fukuoka so we decided before we took off for Seoul to seek out some local shrines that were recommended by the locals. The thing with Japan that I’ve noticed at least in the cities I’ve seen is that many of the temples and shrines are tucked nicely within the high rises and urban dwellings so although rather tranquil, the backdrop of a 50 floor building creates a a different feel altogether from the mountain valley temples in South Korea.
We did stumble upon a shrine that was holding a sumo tournament, but not the kind we were thinking. This was one of the athletes after a match. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in to witness the spectacle first hand.
A quick flight home and very complicated taxi ride later, we checked into our comfy digs at the Ramada in Seoul before a night out on the town. Nicole went to visit the girls from work and pick up Olive while Shawn, Pops and I met up with Peter for some grub and then onto Itaewon where we took in the foreigner scene which was not surprisingly kicked off with a bar fight and a handful of military police rushing to the scene. Good times. We drank to the final few days of my bachelorhood and toasted to the good times had by all in Korea.
Thanks to the toxicity of the night before, our Sunday funday in Seoul was a late start but we managed to get out of the hotel around noon and onto some sightseeing. After a stroll through the always crowded Myeongdong and Insadong markets to grab some souvenirs for the fam back home, we made our way to the Deoksungung Palace. As if the perfect weather mixed with the sounds of traditional Korean music in the park wasn’t enough, we had the rare opportunity to witness the show stopping dance moves of our newest donkey friend, Dong Seoul! His entrancing neckwork was irresistible to pretty much everyone that past him.
Of course, the shopping is never complete without another wardrobe addition for Olive.
We ended our night with some traditional Korean Galbi which was a fitting last dinner with Pops and Shawn who have become pretty big fans of Korean cuisine during their trip.
All for now, Pops and Shawn’s sendoff blog is next!
Thanks for reading all,
adam
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Remarkably livable once the initial adjustment passes. Korea is safe, efficient, and genuinely welcoming to families. The food culture is extraordinary. Kids adapt faster than adults to the language and social norms. Most expat families describe Korea as having raised their standard for what a city should offer.
The children’s museums in Seoul are world class. Korean street food is an adventure for kids of all ages. Palaces and traditional villages give history a physical form that works for children. Jjimjilbang family spas are a uniquely Korean experience worth trying. And the playgrounds and outdoor spaces in Korean cities are genuinely excellent.
Korea is excellent for adventurous young eaters. For picky eaters it takes adjustment. Korean fried chicken is universally beloved. Kimbap rice rolls are approachable for most kids. The spice level can be managed by ordering milder dishes. Street food culture especially tteokbokki corn dogs and hotteok pancakes is a huge hit with children.
Apps like Duolingo and Pimsleur help with the alphabet and basics. Language exchange partners are available and Koreans are generally patient and appreciative of any effort. Formal classes exist in every major Korean city. Kids pick up Korean in school environments much faster than adults do in language classes.
Pros: extraordinary safety, excellent public transport, amazing food at every price point, strong medical system, and a culture that genuinely values family. Cons: language barrier for adults, high academic pressure culture that affects international kids in local schools, air quality issues especially in spring, and the social insularity that can make deep friendships with Koreans slow to develop.
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