Korea

If you seek "fascinating, diverse experiences varying from colorful cultural attractions to delectable dining," Koreans say they have all of these and so much more.

Korea is home to countless TV dramas and pop music. It has gained international exposure and popularity.  We call them K-pop and K-drama. 

Among the many things to do in Seoul is a visit to the War Memorial. Surprisingly, I saw the Philippine flag alongside their flags at the Memorial.  

When in Korea, you have to experience being a Korean. And I did.  A hanbok is a traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during traditional occasions.  It is characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Did I justify wearing the hanbok? I love the color; I hope I did.  

Koreans are fashionable. Even the rabbits for sale have their own fashion. They were like toys, and it was entertaining to watch them.  Streets in downtown are filled with characters and people bustling around.  Korea also offers some of the best shopping and nightlife experiences. As usual, I didn’t shop, but I window shopped.

Korean cuisine is based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, fish, and meats.  Every meal is accompanied by banchan or popularly known to other nationalities as kimchi.  It is one of the best popular Korean dishes.  I am not a big fan of kimchi, but I did try some of their delicacies.

I had a traditional Korean meal with many side dishes.  They cook it in front of you. All side dishes looked appetizing, but I couldn’t eat them all. One of the notable things during this traditional meal was the use of gloves while eating shrimp. They gave us gloves to wear, so we used them.  It was indeed a unique experience that shows how they practice cleanliness. I actually thought it’s easier to eat shrimps with bare hands, but it wasn’t hard to eat with gloves after all.

Speaking of cleanliness, tourists would probably notice that it is easy to find a clean public toilet in Korea. It is everywhere. I couldn't help but take a photo of this toilet that was sparkling clean and amazing. 

Eventually, this photo was vetted on the CNN iReport travel assignment and made a cut on the featured article about countries with the cleanest restrooms. I can truly attest to this cleanliness quality that they have here in Korea.

When people ask me about my visit to Korea, I simply describe Korea as green and clean. I admire how this country maintains its high standards of cleanliness. Their government even mobilizes school children for cleanliness drive. This is one of the things that make their country beautiful.

Korea is a Buddhist nation and home to a large number of temples.  Palaces are also seen alongside skyscrapers.  The 600-year-old Changdeokgung Palace is a must to visit.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to see it. 

Some interesting facts about Seoul, Korea - “They have the fastest internet connection speed in the world. Tipping is not necessary. South Koreans drink the most liquor per capita (more than Russians), and they are one of the densest cities in the world."

                                 

I caught a cute image of love at the park.  Korean's say "Saranghaeyo." In English, we say, "I love you."