Seoul is an amazing city. I went there a few months ago for a press junket and I've fallen in love with the city ever since. I had the chance to visit Seoul once again last week, and I made sure Gerard joined me in my trip.
This was Gerard's first "real" trip. The whole 'departure-arrival-airplane-baggage' thing was new to him... and the mere thought of metal detectors in airports made his legs tremble. So I reserved a comfortable seat for Gerard...inside my bag. I was so excited to show him the randomness of Seoul.
Nimu lent me her instax camera for souvenir shots but she ran out of film. I took 3 instax photos with Nimu's camera and, since I haven't been converted to analog photography just yet, the rest were from my ever reliable digicam.
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This was at Cafe Hoho Myoll, such a wonderful charming coffee place at Hongdae. Gerard loved this arty Korean area because there were a lot of young people and it has an independent vibe. It reminded him of Cubao X but only in a bigger aspect. He loved Cafe Hoho Myoll so much and he can't wait to go back.
The cafe was decorated with random items and Gerard really submerged himself in all that adorable cuteness. It was quite overwhelming, really.
He ordered a warm banana crumble muffin and a mocha-flavored coffee...so tasty good! *burp*
The coffee and drinks were made inside the cutest VW bus inside the cafe. Before leaving, Gerard felt all touristy so he wanted a souvenir inside the VW bus "kitchen"... really, really cute!!!
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Gerard was able to experience all that spicy goodness at a Korean restaurant in Myeong-dong! Free-flowing kimchi was served. And he loved how he was able to cook his own food...
This meal was a mix of chicken, cabbage, mushroom and rice cake with that traditional spicy sauce Koreans just slather on almost any kind of food.
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Ahh, the Locks of Love at Namsan Tower. Gerard felt all romantic. Lovers come here to "lock" their love with a padlock on a fence--symbolizing the promise to stay together forever. Gerard has yet to find the love of his life but the thought of bringing someone here made him all giddy. The place is high up a mountain and you could almost see all of Seoul. Pretty scary if you're afraid of heights!
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Gerard also went to Changdeokgung Palace. He didn't take the private tour though because it was too expensive but he just went around by himself, maveling over its majesty.
He thought it would be nice to come here during the winter when all is cold and white.
Not knowing its history, he walked around the palace imagining stories of a Korean princess with a secret lover, a warrior perhaps, and together they hide in these walls, discreetly professing their love for each other.
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This is Yeoksam area, a station away Gangnam, where Gerard would go home to after doing all the touristy stuff. Very metropolitan. But still quite charming because streets are lined with trees.
Chew, drink, stroll, talk, and laugh. That's what Gerard and I did during our 5-day trip in Seoul, and it was the happiest days of our lives.
