Sightseeing

DISCLAIMER: The following blog entry is a matter of opinion and is not meant as an act of offense to anyone.

Yesterday afternoon, Sid (my colleague) and I decided to go out into the town. Our plan was to go to Dongdaemun market which is supposed to be a very popular place to shop. Our mode of transport: the metro. But to get to Suwon station, we needed to take a taxi.

After hailing a cab, Sid sat in the front seat next to the driver while I sat behind. The taxi driver seemed normal enough in the beginning. He spoke in broken English. He asked us where we were from, where we worked etc. And then it started...

Driver: "You friends?" He motioned towards Sid and I.
Sid: "Yes! Friends!"

Then the driver spoke lots of Koren with a lotta hand gestures. Sid started laughing out loud. "What happened?" I asked. "He wants me to sit next to you and hold your hand!" Sid replied back.

Obviously Koreans, or at least this particular one, didn't quite grasp the meaning of the word 'friend'.

Sid tried to make him understand. "We work friends!"

The driver didn't seem to get that. "Night friends!" said the driver and nodded. Then he proceeded to show outdoor billboards of couples posing together.

OMG! I could tell that Sid was embarrassed beyond belief. I couldn't help silently laughing.

"Remind me to sit behind during the next cab ride!" Sid told me as we made our way out of the cab and into the station.

***

Sid explained how the metro works in South Korea. There are different lines which the trains take. Each line (maybe it can be compared to a platform in India?) is specific to the region of Korea that you are travelling to. With the help of the metro map, it's not too complicated to figure out which line and which train on that line you're supposed to travel in. But for a person who was introduced to the metro for the first time yesterday, I was pretty confused. Towards the end of the day, however, I did somewhat get the hang of it.

The train trip by itself was pretty interesting. The seats are comfy. Even if you're standing, there are hanging 'handles' that you can hold onto (and they are not too high so even a short person like me can hold onto it without any difficulty). You have a separate seating section for elders/handicapped/pregnant women. The train is fast enough and the ride is comfortable as well.

We reached Dongdaemun after 1 hour and started looking around. Since it was the first time for both of us, we didn't quite know what to look out for. Sid was quite excited when he saw 'earthworm pickle' for sale on the roadsides. I, however, couldn't but feel slightly queasy at the thought. Anyway, we pretty much walked down the roads for some time, before Sid got tired and suggested going to Namdaemun market which is also pretty famous. So we took a taxi there (and nope, no 'experiences' this time. The driver kept to himself :) ).

This time, with proper directions, we were able to see (part of) the actual Korean market. I was somehow reminded of Commerical street back in Bangalore but with a lot more shops and a lot less space!! The Korean handicrafts that we saw were quite pretty... But didn't get time to actually admire much since it was closing time for the shop. The rest of the goods being sold in the other market shops covered from food to clothes to trinkets.

Have to say that I successfully coaxed Sid into buying things for his family and himself. :D About me? Well, I am on a sort of strict budget, so didn't quite indulge in anything apart from donuts from a nearby Dunkin Donuts.

South Koreans have no problems with public display of affection. Maybe it was juvenile of us but Sid and I were on the lookout for any such displays! :D It was fun...

The night sky is absolutely gorgeous in the city. South Koreans use a lot of lights. And I'm not only talking about yellow and white lights. But blue, red ones too! It is so, so very pretty. Will take snaps as soon as I can.

After admiring the city lights and the multi colored buildings, we made our way back to the Metro. We needed two trains to get to Suwon. We got the first train trip right. But we took the wrong train the second time. Had to backtrack with the third train. Got the right train the fourth time but we forgot to get out at our stop. So we had to take a fifth train to get back to Suwon. :D

So yes, a lot of bumbling mistakes... But it was fun nevertheless.

Oh! And I did buy myself something nice after all: a woolen hat. And no, its not from the Dongdaemun or Namdaemun markets. But rather Suwon metro station. Haha! Crowning glory to the day, wouldn't you say? And yes! Pun intended...

:D