Seoul wasn't ready for my day of 'Redemption Travel' because I used that 'Third Strike' to put some things to bed, forever! Of course, I had grown since that 2018 mess because my hangover wasn't severe, I was able to function and focus! Making that foodie quest happen, South Korea's largest market served me a slice! 'Like A Prayer', I visited Myeongdong for a different reason.
I had some serious unfinished business, I had deleted those Bukchon Hanok Village photos from a former digital camera before my flight to Pyongyang in the D.P.R.K. I made a serious mistake, I did not save the photos in my Google Photos album, lost for good I had three Pandemic years to realize what kind of foolishness I had exercised. Making my way back to 'Anguk Station' took a different path, I walked for the most part after my chaotic 'Egg Drop' breakfast. I had hazy hungover memories from that shameful 2018 day out, I was a mess and with some years having passed there was no denying the area had changed somewhat. By hook or crook I was determined to find a view that resembled those 'Joseon Dynasty' alleys, the crowds had me tripping but I kept things 100. For me the whole area served the same historical style but it was almost like I was walking through a completely different space. Not wanting to waste any of that precious time, I found a section of those Korean style alleys to capture. I'll keep these ones safe!
Those National Day crowds were like something different, I had found some period Korean buildings within a cute hillside view. The view wasn't the same alley because frankly I couldn't find the same road, believe me I looked at my original Seoul blog posts from 2018. Even with my data loaded SIM card, the search for that former haunt became jarring. Yes, that pleasing view satisfied my 2023 quest, making sure those photos were in my iPhone this time, they were soon securely saved. The same essence was served but really I couldn't remember seeing the same high number of tourists within the same area during 2018? No! Anyhow, I felt content with my photos, the same energy was served but with a reminder to be precise first time not third! Truth! Seoul already knew that this 'Third Strike' will be the final addition to my South Korean capital city experience. Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village was packed! Vacating that tourist saturated 'Joseon Dynasty' situation with the quickness, I recalculated that 'Gwangjang Market' route! So?
During 2018 I had intended to visit 'Gwangjang Market' because I wanted to try some Korean food for the first time. I made some rookie mistakes by not buying a SIM card, playing my own self for a fool, I relief on snatched Wi-Fi service in-between transit stations to find 'Dongdaemun Market'. Truthfully, the fact that I even made it to a market in my sorry state was a miracle. Begrudgingly cutting myself some slack, in 2019 I didn't have the time to visit this foodie hangout because my time in Seoul secondly was literally just the night out. 2023 saw me checking my location on my iPhone map service like a hawk, I found the market in-question whilst I was on my way to the Bukchon Hanok Village. On the way back from those Joseon buildings, I immersed myself within the sea of people at that famous food market in Seoul. I had clocked this market on several online documentaries and had even contemplated booking a food tour. As I waded through the crowded market, I knew that a tour wasn't needed. I was hungry!
Taking a seat at one of the many centrally set out food stalls, I ordered two small portions of two Korean meals. Choosing 'Tteok-bokki' and 'Gimbap' had me feeling proud because thus far I had only consumed Korean food during that 2023 trip, I was making up for slacking! Washing down my Korean eats with a can of CASS Beer allowed me to remember that very first Korean beer I had enjoyed on my 2018 Beijing-Seoul flight with Korean Air. Gwangjang Market showcased much more than just my lunch, I was afforded the opportunity to see people also enjoying their lunch with the foods being prepared in front of us. It was a very interactive experience, it was definitely an immersive time. The older ladies who manned my chosen dinner-spot definitely worked for their coins, they were serving up meals left, right and centre! It felt amazing being at that Korean food market since the last market reached in Seoul sold toys and everyday household items. Striking another thing done on my list, 'Gwangjang Market' made me smile.
Rewinding once again, I had already clocked 'Cheonggyecheon/청계천' whilst I was on my way to Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village. Located nearby 'Gwangjang Market', I was able to save time because I knew exactly where to retrace steps back to. I had wanted to visit this city based stream walkway for the longest time, I had originally wanted to see 'Cheonggyecheon/청계천' during my first visit to Seoul in 2018, instead I found myself walking along the banks of the 'Han River/한강'. Changing my priorities in 2023 allowed me to make another missed opportunity a reality, 2019 also didn't serve enough time for this Seoul walkway. It felt like magic to be walking along that seemingly normal path. The water gently flowed past me, people took their own sweet time whilst the city went about its own business. I realised real quick that Myeongdong was in walking distance, located just off one of the exits along that canal-like situation. Seoul knew that I had my ish together, keeping things right on time! I wanted to know more! Not the Japanese?
Formerly part of a drainage system for Seoul's sewage network, the piece of water in question was called Gaecheon 'open stream' before the Japanese Colonial Period. Renamed to Cheonggyecheon this former stream was eventually covered by the Seoul Government to make way for a major development, to become an expressway! None of this information was common knowledge to me before reading about it now, we learn something new all the time! Unearthed as part of a city regeneration plan, the controversial remodeling of this former sewage path saw it become the trendy waterway that I saw. I took my time as I walked along that shaded walkway, sure I only felt comfortable sticking to my left hand side whilst other hopscotched across the water on the stones. Getting down to another part of the city that I had previously missed felt correct. So far so good, Seoul saw me making all the right moves during that 'Third Strike' day! Like A Prayer? Moving along, Myeongdong Cathedral was about to take me there! Let's go, SK!
Myeongdong didn't recognize me, I walked from that controversial stream into one of Seoul's most famous shopping districts completely sober! My previous visit during 2018 really wasn't becoming of me because I was literally dying a death! I needed to be in good form because I wanted to check out 'Myeongdong Cathedral', sure I have watched many a documentary about Catholicism in South Korea. I wanted to try and at least find that place of worship in the first instance. I first had an idea during a boozy night in Sanya, China, I searched for Catholic places of worship ahead of my then upcoming October 2023 Seoul trip. Within a flash I was able to find 'Myeongdong Cathedral', I wanted to know more! I never expected being part of a service, to be allowed in the that place of worship sounded like a minor miracle due to the secrecy that shrouds Korean Catholicism. If truth be told, rocking up to Myeongdong stone cold sober or without any hangover felt great! No, I didn't have anything to prove to any God! Absolutely not!
Walking up to the top of those stairs was easy enough, I marveled at that imposing 'House Of God' with much intent. Part of the 'Archdiocese of Seoul', this surprisingly large place of worship broke ground in 1892 with much opposition from the Joseon Era Emperor of Korea. I walked up to the door of the Cathedral with much curiosity, those doors were locked shut! I wasn't alone with such mysterious thoughts because other visitors to the city were also trying to see inside the Myeongdong Cathedral. It was the most bizarre sight when two women opened the door after a little boy had decided to knock on the door. These two women were dressed in white and were wearing white 'wedding' like veils. So, access was denied to that house of god, well at the time anyway. I had my evening plans secured, I knew that the Cathedral didn't mean any disrespect towards me, she just wanted to protect her peace. Well, my 'Third Strike' really was a roaring success, I victoriously checked everything off my list! Seoul has been completed, I feel at peace.
The Third Strike?... I Don't Know Her!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
