Korea: Non-Alcoholic

So it occurred to me that I've written a lot about drinking in the past few posts, and I don't want anyone to get the impression I've turned into a raging alcoholic. Sooooo.....here are some pics of Seoul that have nothing to do with alcohol (but it should be noted that all of the pics are the perfect mixers for alcohol....kind of like sprite or tonic....).

The first pic is of quite possibly my favorite neighborhood in Seoul, Insadong. It's downtown and is considered a "traditional street." Essentially, there are fewer cars, it's quieter, and lots of galleries, coffee and tea houses, great restaurants, and good shopping. There's always something going on, too, like a performance of sorts.

The second pic os of Korean kimchi pots. Kimchi is the national food of Korea. It's cabage that is fermented with red peppers, garlic, onions, and sometimes meat or seafood. Sometimes it's good, other times it's too vinegar-y, too sour, or too spicy. The pic is of the traditional pots they would put the veggies into for fermentation. The pots would then be burried somewhat under ground or in the side of a hill to keep cool.

The third pic is a night shot of another cool area, Hyehwa. There's a university there, so there's lots of quirky shops, cafes, and bars. That's typical Seoul at night. Lots and lots of neon. Think Times Square in NYC--even at night, it's never dark.

The fourth is a shot I took of Seoul from the cable car up to Seoul Tower. That is what Seoul *really* looks like: lots of grey, boring architecture, and ugly apartment buildings. BUT...the city certainly has it's rewarding characteristics.

The fifth pic is of one of THE best shopping areas in Seoul, Myeong-dong. It's on the south side of downtown proper. If you want designer stuff, you go here. If you want knock off stuff, you go here. If you want stuff in the middle, you go here. You can find anything in Myeong-dong.