I havenāt seen Seoul since two Decembers ago. I was quite anxious to come back with a lot of different emotions, but after few weeks of settling in, Iām glad to be back. Seoul is my hometown. My whole family has been living here for hundreds of years. Even though I went to university to different city, I always considered Seoul as my home. Even though Seoul wonāt be the place for my own home, it will always going to be my hometown.
My Seoul is quite different than the Seoul what the world knows thesedays. I didnāt grow up shopping or playing computer games with high-speed internet. Our neighbourhood was one of the oldest parts of the city. The house I grew up was as small as someoneās living room, and I could almost touch my neighbourās building by reaching my arm out the window. I grew up with squat toilet. I never knew what supermarket was. I hung out with old ladies at the traditional market (just āmarketā back then) who were my grandmotherās friends. Iāve never been to department stores in my childhood. Animal organs, fish scales and live octopus were quite normal things to touch everyday. But, I was a master at how to take buses and subways.
Seoul is now considered one of the biggest and developed metropolitan areas in the world. It is famous for its K-Pop culture, technology and shopping, but thatās not the reason why I like this city. History, culture, food, people, and the old part of the city are the reason why Iām so fond of this place.
Korean New Year was last weekend. I got to help my mum cooking in two years, and had a chance to re-examine our traditions. Remember my post about āWhy I donāt miss my holidayā? It is still true. I explored the city and the neighbourhood. Here are the photos of my Seoul through mobile photography. All the photos were taken with iPhone 3G (Yes, I’m still using 3G!)
Thanks for sharing these pictures. There are lots of memories for me. One thing that I loved was the low tables in Korea and the way you eat in a big group. As for Korean food however, it was always a little difficult as I am a vegetarian. I often had ź°ģģ , ‘flat’ ė§ė, and of course ė¹ė¹ė°„. Please excuse my attempted Korean, I never took the time to learn and I only remember the symbols vaguely. One thing I don’t miss is the ģģ£¼ that gave me five stitches in the back of my my head. Why ever would someone put a batting cage right outside a ķģ restaurant?!?!
Five stitches! But I’m not surprised. That’s why I don’t drink Soju. š It’s an evil’s drink! I can see how it will be difficult for vegetarians. I traveled with a few vegetarians in Korea (foreigners), and we had hard time finding something that doesn’t have meat, meat broth, and fish. ź°ģģ , ė¹ė¹ė°„ are great!
Wow, it’s great you can appreciate your culture like this!
Thanks Juno for sharing this. I have enjoyed following your blog but this posting in particular is very enjoyable. Welcome home!
These are beautiful pictures of Seoul.
With every passing food picture, my hunger pangs were more insatiable! You are a genius when it comes to food porn! š I don’t know much about Korea but I know I am gonna love the food!
P.S. Your nephews are ADORABLE! =)
That looks like a real feast. So which out of those dishes have you missed most?
Are those your parents in the background of the first picture? I love the food, its making me hungry already. Thanks for helping me discover Korea, more so Seoul through your blog.
what wonderful photos! I haven’t traveled to Seoul yet, but would love to go.
Nice pictures, I hope to visit Seoul one day. The crayola crayons with your nephews reminded me of myself 20 years back š
Beautiful photographs, beautiful Country. I am hoping to visit South Korea next Summer with some photographer friends. I hope that our photos turn out as nice as yours have.