Firstly the reason for travelling to this part of the world. We belong to an organization called Couch Surfers…it caters for travellers around the world to experience home life and the culture and food of the people in that country. It is a fantastic way to make new friends. In May this year we hosted a couple Yonghee from South Korea and Kosei from Japan. They certainly made an impact on us and our family. They stayed for a week searching out places for study next year then they travelled to Melbourne to stay with other CSers. Earlier this year we received an invite to attend their wedding in Seoul and then in Japan . Now we are here in Seoul. Our first impressions are of a very helpful and friendly people. We had our first bibimbap on the plane as we flew Korean Air. It arrived with a dish of rice and a bowl of finely sliced vegetables placed neatly around the edge of a bowl. There was a tube of red curry paste and a sachet of sesame oil as well…and a bowl of seaweed soup. The attendant gave us a leaflet to explain how to eat this very traditional dish. Basically you mix everything in the bowl together a bit like fried rice and drink the soup. It was a different experience. Every meal we have had has been very different even though the concept is the same. You never know what extras you will get like fried fish and fried calamari and you never pay for it. The Koreans eat a lot of vegetables mixed with a lot of chilli. They are a healthy race mostly…though western food is creeping in to their diets especially the younger ones. They are eating a lot more beef and pork as well which is not good for their metabolism or for the environment. Our first couple of nights were booked in a hostel near to Insadong and to train stations so we were all org with the next two nights to stay with cousins of Shon another CSer who stayed with us this year as well. Our accom was with Holiday In Korea and was a stark contrast to the night before at the holiday Inn at the Melbourne Airport where they had a pillow menu to choose from. The Korean Hostel had what sounded like lolly wrappers in Nick’s pillow ….we have since found out it is rice husks. It made for interesting nights every time he moved. They have nearly all their heating in Korea under the floor. The first night we stayed there we could not believe how hot it was when we touched the floor. Certainly the way to go. They have been doing that from centuries ago as we found out when we visited one of the palaces of the king. With open fires to do the cooking and the heat being funnelled through under the floor. Waste not, want not.
Sightseeing with friends
Our first few days in Seoul have been taken up with being shown around and being fed by Yonghee and Kosei and then the next couple of days by Hwang. our most memorable meal was in a very traditional eating house and had the best hot pot. It certainly helps to have someone to show you how to use the subway which is easy when you have been shown. It is a huge city of 10 million people so the public transport needs to be able to get people around efficiently and it certainly does that. This place would be a great intro in to Asian culture for most and particularly for kids. It is a very peaceful city considering people are courteous, don’t stare and help you always. The food itself is fantastic and of course that is always the best reason for travelling. We have been in a traditional village and the main palace been up to the Seoul tower where we were lucky to experience a show of military and combat while we were there. There are thousands and thousands of locks and padlocks with messages of love attached that have been placed at the bottom of the tower..never seen anything like it. I bought a belt made in Korea and the man cut it to the right size to fit. I will treasure that belt. The next two nights were going to be spent elsewhere when we found out their children had contracted H1N1. We tried for hours on line and over the phone to find accom in Seoul in vain and went to bed not knowing where we were going to sleep. Next morning I asked again at our hostel if they had a room and would you believe our luck they had a cancellation at the last minute and we could stay in our room as well..talk about karma.
The season is autumn and is a delight to behold. The weather is awesome. We are usually lucky to have great weather when we travel. T-shirts and jeans even at night. Tonight is the wedding… the reason we came.
The Wedding
With great anticipation we left the Hostel with only 45 mins to travel the subway all dressed up in my uncomfortable shoes ..up and down stairs. We made it just in time for the ceremony. We were greeted at the door of the wedding room on the 22nd. Floor of the Seoul Plaza by Yonghee and soon to be husband Kosei. Nick and I felt overwhelmed to see them so happy. A few tears were shed. She looked divine in traditional dress and he in a suit. There was a bit of conjecture as to what he should wear. He wanted to wear traditional Korean but as he is Japanese his father did not approve of him doing so .They had photos taken earlier in the day with him in typically Korean dress for a wedding. The ceremony was very short and sweet at the reception in front of us while we sat at our tables. Both fathers gave a speech in their own language and they were both interpreted in each other’s language. They exchanged rings ..no attendants just them. So uncomplicated and sweet. The tables were wonderfully decorated with silver service and great wine. The people on our table all spoke English in varying degrees. They were cousins of the bride. The other couple to our surprise were the CSers from Melbourne that they stayed with as well…that was a huge surprise as neither of us knew the others flew over for the wedding. They were fantastic company over with coffee. The wedding was over in 2 hours. We wished it was longer. We felt very surreal being there as did the others. We also feel blessed to be asked to share in their special day. They will be married in Japan in December. We met both sides of the family and have been invited to stay with them when we go to Japan next time. We are also going to see one of Yonghee’s cousins in Pohang in a few days. The families of both were wonderful to us..very friendly curious and grateful to us for looking after them in Australia. Particularly as they are coming back to Adelaide next July to study. It was an experience we will never forget.
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