Around Seoul

Every now and then, a friend or an acquaintance would ask me which places they should visit when they come to Korea, specifically Seoul. Well, I can't say that I know Seoul that well but I prepared this list of places, including the address and directions (from Visit Korea's website), for my mom's visit last April. Some of the places included here are places I visited with my travel buddies, Tabita and Freda. 

The directions are mostly with the use of the subway because I think it is the easiest and cheapest way to travel around the Metro. It, however, requires a lot of walking, especially when transferring from one subway line to another.

There are a lot more tourist attractions in Seoul, but I only included those where I've been to.

I hope it would be of help to those who would like to visit Seoul.

Namiseom

Namiseom is a filming location for a number of Korean drama and movies, but for us who are not from Korea, it is well known because of the drama "Winter Sonata". I wasn't able to watch the said drama when it was shown on Philippine television. I bought a DVD but before I could watch it, a friend borrowed it. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the DVD back.

It was spring when we went to Namiseom. There were cherry blossoms but the other flowers haven't started to bloom yet, the dominant color then during that time was green. Based on the pictures of the place displayed at the Information Center, it is best to visit the island during the autumn season when the leave's color had changed, especially when the leaves of the large Gingko trees lining up a path on both sides had turned golden yellow.

But I guess when one would want to really have a "Winter Sonata" experience, then visit the island on winter.

since it wasn't the snow season yet...

1024, Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

(Naminara Republic Immigration Control Office)

경기도 가평군 가평읍 북한강변로 1024 (출입국관리사무소)
+82-31-580-8114,
+82-31-582-2186

Ferry Schedule

07:30-09:00 (30min intervals)
09:00-18:00 (10-20min intervals)
18:00-21:40 (30min intervals)

Mama with Freda

Directions
From Gapyeong Bus Terminal or Gapyeong Station, take a taxi to Namiseom parking lot. 
(Travel time: 10-15 min)

Take the ferry from Namiseom Dock to Namiseom Island. 
(Travel time: 5-6 min)

Admission Fees
General (Adults) - 10,000 won
Discount – 8,000 won – Foreigners

Petite France

Even before knowing the name of the place, I already liked it when I saw it in an episode of the drama "You Who Came from the Stars". It is as if you're not in Korea. The buildings are so colorful. I looked better in the drama though, not only because the main scene was taken in the evening but also because aside from the two main actors, the place was devoid of people. 

For those who love Antoine de Saint-Exupery's 'The Little Prince', they would really like this place.


1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 

경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063

Admission Fees

Adults: 8,000 won / Group: 6,000 won

Gyeongbokgung (and Gwanghwamun Square)

Gyeongbukgong means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven". The construction of the main palace was said to have been completed in 1395, three years after the capital of the Joseon Dynasty was move to Seoul (formerly known as Hanyang). The palace was destroyed and restored for a number of times. The latest restoration efforts has been ongoing since 1990.

The Gwanghwamun Gate is the main and largest gate of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Just like the palace itself the Gwanghwamun underwent numerous reconstructions and restorations. The latest restoration was finished in 2010.

Four Palaces
Changdeokgung Palace including Huwon, Secret Garden
Changgyeonggung Palace
Deoksugung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sejongno) 

서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)

Admission Fees
Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won

Directions

* Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5
* Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2



The Gwanghwamun Square, a 20,000 sq.m. area, connects the Gwanghwamun Gate and Cheonggye Square. The statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin are located in the square. 

King Sejong is best known as the inventor of the Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. A celestial globe, a rain gauge, and a sundial - things he invented - are found in front of his statue.

Admiral Yi Sun-Shin was a naval commander known for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war during the Joseon Dynasty. 

There's a fountain in the square which becomes a playground of kids especially during the hot summer season.

Insadong

Insadong is the place you should visit when you would like to buy traditional Korean souvenirs or gifts. A whole street is lined up with stores selling various souvenirs like Hahoe masks, shirts, fans, traditional clothes, etc. There are also restaurants along the main street and in the smaller streets that serve Korean dishes.


130-4, Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si

서울 종로구 인사동 130-4 일대

Directions

*Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6. 
Go straight 300m, and turn left at the 4-way Intersection.
Go straight 100m, and take the left road towards Insadong-gil Road.

Cheonggyecheon

The Cheonggyecheon is a 5.8 km stream that is a good place for those who would like to relax and take a stroll at the heart of the metropolitan. It is a natural stream that became so polluted during the 1940s and 1950s due to temporary housings constructed along the stream. During the administration of President Chunghee Park, the stream was covered with concrete which was eventually led to the construction of a 12-lane highway over it. The result was traffic congestion and environmental pollution. The highway was removed and the stream was revived in 2005 (cost: 280 million US$). it is considered as one of the ten best urban projects in the world.

There are mini water falls which provides relaxing sound. There are benches where one could sit and rest. During warm weather some people would even sit on the boulders on the stream and dip their feet on the water.There are different kinds of artworks displayed on the walls on both sides of the stream. There are times when exhibitions or mini-shows are held there as well. 

It was growing dark when we got to the Cheonggyecheon stream. When we visited the area there were It was the week of a number of large paper lanterns in celebration of Buddha's birthday.


110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 중구 태평로1가 ~성동구 신답철

Directions
(subway)

* City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Sinseol-dong (Seoul Subway Line 1)

* City Hall, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga, Sindang, Sangwangsimni (Seoul Subway Line 2)
* Jongno 3-ga (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3 and 5)
* Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Seoul Subway Line 4)
* Gwanghwamun (Seoul Subway Line 5)

Yeouido

Yeouido Park is a large recreational area located in Yeouido Island. We went there hoping to see the flowers of the more than a thousand Cherry Blossom trees which line a road in the island but the flowers have all fallen. What we saw were the colorful azaleas that are found throughout the park.


Yeouido Park, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul-si

서울특별시 영등포구 국회대로 (여의도동)

Directions 

* Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 1.

Walk 10 minutes towards SBS TV Station.
* Yeouido Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 3.

Walk 5 minutes towards the National Assembly building.

Bukchon Hanok Village


37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37 (계동)

Directions 
[Subway]
Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
- Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
[Bus]
Anguk Station Bus Stop
Red Bus: 9710

N Seoul Tower

105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가)

Admission Fees
[Observatory]
Adults 9,000 won

Directions 

Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 02 
Take the bus from the closest subway station:
Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3, 4), Exit 2 (in front of Daehan Cinema) or
Dongguk University Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
Interval: every 15 min.
Operating hours: 07:00 – 24:00

Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 05
Take the bus from the closest subway station:
Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 3 or
Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2 (in front of Daehan Cinema).
Interval: every 15 min.
Operating hours: 07:30 – 23:30

Cable Car
Boarding point: Upon getting off from Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit, walk for about 15 minutes to reach the street next to Pacific Hotel. The boarding place should be seen.
Operating hours: 10:00 - 23:00

Myeongdong Cathedral

74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

서울특별시 중구 명동길 74 (명동2가)

Sunday Masses
In the Cathedral
7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00
16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 (Youth Mass), 21:00
English Mass 9:00 A.M.(In the Cathedral)

Directions
Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8
Walk along Toegyero-gil st. for about 300m and turn right at the intersection.
Walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 100m to the Catholic Center
Walk up along the center.

Euljiro Ipgu Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2), Exit 5
Turn right and walk along Myeongdong3-gil st. for 400m
Turn left and walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 400m to the Catholic Center
Walk up along the center.

Everland Theme Park
199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeongi-do  

경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199

Admission Fees

Daytime ticket (1 day pass): Adults 40,000 won / Teenagers 34,000 won / Children 31,000 won 

Nighttime ticket (1 day pass): Adults 32,000 won / Teenagers 29,000 won / Children 27,000 won

* Extra charges for coin-operated rides, rentals, animal rides, and special exhibitions.

* Includes free admission to Ho-Am Art Museum for the day.

* Night tickets are not available for online purchase.

Directions
[Subway] 
* Jeondae-Everland Station (Yongin Ever Line), Exit 3.
Take the shuttle bus to Everland. (Operating hours 05:30-23:30)

[Bus]
* Sinnonhyeon Station, Gangnam Station, Yangjae Station: Bus 5002
* Pangyo, Segok-dong, Suseo Station, Songpa Station, Jamsil Station, Gangbyeon Station: Bus 5700
* Sadang Station, Nambu Terminal (Bundang and Gwangju via): Bus 1500-2
* Gangbyeon Station, Gangdong Station (via Gwangju): Bus 1113



Aiins World

1, Doyak-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 부천시 원미구 도약로 1 (사동)

Operating Hours
November-February: 10:00-17:00
March-October: 10:00-8:00
* Last admission: one hour before closing
* Hours subject to change depending on weather and outside conditions

Admission Fees
Adults 10,000 won
Children (Ages 3-12) 8,000 won

Directions
Samsan Stadium Station (Seoul subway Line 7), Exit 5.
Go 150 m and take Bus 558
Get off at Aiins World bus stop


I just wrote a short description about (and included a few pictures) the different places to 'introduce' them to those who are contemplating on visiting. Writing too much would spoil the fun of discovery and adventure. Also, I'm not a travel blogger. Yes, I love to travel if time and my finances permit. And yes, I have this blog, but then I am not a travel blogger. 

Anyway, should anyone like to know more, there are hundreds of websites or blogs or vlogs about these places in the net. Aside from VisitKorea other websites that I would recommend are that of seoulistic.com and sweet and tasty tv. 

That smile...

Participants from Korea
(the disadvantage of being the
photographer)

Last August 31, 교수님 (professor) and I went to Chiayi, Taiwan to attend the International Symposium on Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management (SFEM 2015). The symposium was attended to mostly by professors and students from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Other delegates from Korea came from Seoul National University, Kangwon National University, Kongju National University and the Korea Forest Research Institute.

I thought other students from our laboratory will be joining us but then in the end it was just 교수님 and I who went. The symposium was held for three days. One day for the symposium itself where oral and poster presentations were conducted then the two days were for a tour of the cities of Chiayi and Tainan.

SFEM 2015 participants

I presented a paper during the first day. I was so nervous but I was so blessed that the students from the other universities were very supportive. I also believe that Daddy was there to guide me since I wasn't home yet (it was his death anniversary). 

I was the last student to present from Korea so I wasn't able to concentrate in listening to the other presentations. Some were too technical about growth models of various tree species, others were on carbon sequestration, REDD+, and even on the correlation study on greenness (of surroundings) and schizophrenia.

It was then a big surprise when announcements on best presenters were done during the dinner that day. We were not aware that there would be awards to be given. Anyway, I was selected to be the best presenter. I have no idea who the judges were and what were the criteria they used in judging. Hearing 교수님 say "수고했어" after my presentation was more than enough for me. I was so just so thankful that I didn't mess up.

The following day, 교수님 went back here in Korea while I joined the tour of Chiayi City then left for the Philippines at midnight for the commemoration of Daddy's death anniversary.

When I came back to Korea, a professor told me that 교수님 mentioned about the award I got during the symposium and that he was so proud about it. I thought that it's just his way of telling what transpired during the symposium, although deep within I hoped I really made him proud.

This came in the mail... 
(November 17, 2015)

As 교수님, followed by a visiting professor,  entered the laboratory last Wednesday, I noticed that he was holding some papers on his hand. When he came to where I was, it was then that I realized what they were - the certificates for the awards in Taiwan. They sent it through mail since it wasn't ready during the symposium. As he explained what it was to the other professor, I saw his face beam with a smile. It is a smile the I will surely treasure for a very long time. The smile was filled with pride and it was so heartwarming.

I've seen that smile before - on Daddy's face. It is the smile he had when I graduated from UPLB. The same smile he had during my brother's wedding. The same smile he had when we joined the graduation march when I finished my MS. And it is the same smile that I wished to see on his face, but will not be able to anymore, once I finish my studies here.

Certificate on display beside 교수님's door

I am so thankful for a lot of things to 교수님' and his wife, and so as long as I am still here, I wish to be able to bring that kind of smile to his face again...

Pictures Not Taken

I love taking pictures. Even my labmates who have just known me for a short time are aware of it.

Back in college, whenever I go out with friends such as hiking or just hanging out at the Freedom Park, they would bring food and drinks, as for me I just bring my camera. When we were required in one major subject to make a compilation of plants - which includes pictures, I used it as an excuse to be able to buy an SLR.

When phones started to have built-in cameras, I saved up for a phone which is quite pricy because the camera is good. And even though it's really expensive, I hope to be able to buy a full-frame DSLR, someday.

I know I won't be able to do it professionally nor will I gain anything from it. Yes, I do take decent pictures but not the kind which would make people stare in awe. I just do it because it is fun.

Anyway, I really love taking pictures. Especially of landscapes and plants. When I take pictures of people it's usually candid ones.

I hope I took more pictures of people though. How I wish I took more pictures of our family - of my brother  as he grew up, of Mama as she took care of us, and of Daddy while he was still with us. I had a camera with me most of the time but I didn't use it. It's too late, those moments have passed and there's no way of bringing them back.

English Proficiency

Aside from a part of the Civil Service Examination and those tests administered by companies I've applied to in the past, I haven't taken any English proficiency exam in the Philippines. I once thought of taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) but I haven't gotten around to doing so.

The standardized tests that a student could take include TOEFL, TOEIC, and TEPS
for English, DELF for French, JPT and JLPT for Japanese, and TOPIK for Korean.

In order to graduate, one of the requirements for graduate students of the University is to take a 외국어 시험 (foreign language examination). We could either take an exam which will be administered by the University or take one of the standardized language tests. Based on what I've heard from other students, for the University-administered exam, they will give me a document that is in Korean, then I will have to translate it in English. I have no idea how long and what topic will the document be. I will definitely be in big trouble if the document is one that is technical. I then decided to take a standardized test. Since the possibility of me passing Level IV of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is nil, my only resort was to take the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), which I did last March 29, 2015.

Based on the student handbook, I just need to get a total score of 585. However, our major officer said I need a score of 700 or higher. I didn't ask for the reason. I surmised that probably it is because I already speak the language. I also thought that getting a score of 700 is most likely easier than translating a document or taking the TOPIK.

The result was released almost three weeks after, and I got a score of 980. Oh boy, was I relieved! I no longer have to worry about the foreign language examination.

When my labmates learned of my score, they called me "TOEIC 천재 (genius)". Whenever they introduce me to their friends, one of the things they would say about me is the score I got. Once in a while I would hear someone say "how I wish I would get the same score as Lynn did".

Before hearing all of those, I didn't care much about the score. All I wanted was to avoid the university-administered exam and the TOPIK. But I guess for a Korean student, who upon graduation will have better opportunity of landing a job if he/she has a high TOEIC score, it's a totally different story.

One commonality of all laboratories I've been to, here in our University and in other universities, is the presence of English proficiency books. In our laboratory for instance, every student have at least one book of TOEIC in their desk. They have books on grammar, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, and vocabulary. Also, almost every Korean student I've spoken to have had additional English lessons either online or by attending a 학원 (academy). They started attending these 학원s as early as when they are in the elementary.

All of these, does not come cheap. A set of books cost, at the least, 50,000원. Having individual tutorials usually cost 20,000-30,000원 per hour, the academies probably ask for the same amount. Should they decide to go to other countries such as the Philippines, Australia, Canada, United States, or the United Kingdom, in order to learn the language, then the expenses would increase exponentially.

The question then is: "After they have spent so much time and money, will they be able to communicate using the English language?" which I think should be their ultimate objective because this is what the TOEIC or any other standardized English examination is testing. Based on what I've observed, it is not always the case. One fellow graduate student for instance was studying vocabulary words the previous semester. To check how much he has learned, I took his book and read random words, to which he was able to give me the translations.  But that's it. When I asked him to, he couldn't use the words in forming sentences. This is the same for most of the Korean students, I've spoken to.

This got me thinking. Why is it so difficult for them to learn the English language? It is not as if they just started learning it in the university. Could it be because of the difference by which English and Korean sentences are constructed? (One reason why it's hard for me to learn the Korean language.) Or is it because when they study English, the explanation in the books and instruction videos (probably also by the teachers in school or academies) are in Korean? Or it might be because they only use English during the time that they are studying it and have no other venue to practice it? I don't think there's one particular reason. Instead it is due to a combination of different factors.

I really want to be able to help the students in our laboratory. What's the use that I am here when I couldn't even help them as they learn the language. As much as I hope I could teach them, I realized that I couldn't because I couldn't explain to them the same way that teachers in academies do. All I could offer is a venue for them to use the language. I could be their 'speaking buddy'. If only they would find the confidence to stark speaking with me in English. Even if it's just a sentence or two each day.

Half a Dream

At Namiseom

Years back, there was a television commercial of one airline showing an old man urging his family to go to the airport. His children told him that it was still too early but then he stressed that their plane will "leave on time", then he started walking in very small steps. I liked that commercial. Not because of the airline itself but because of the actor. At the time that commercial was released, my father started to walk slowly and in small steps. I thought back then, "so this is how Ding would be when we'll be travelling somewhere that requires riding a plane".

At Petite France

At Gyeongbukgong

When I learned that I qualified for a scholarship grant for a doctorate degree here in Korea, aside from the degree itself, another dream that was starting to form was to be able to bring my family here. Even before arriving in Korea and starting my studies, I was already imagining the day when I will graduate and my parents, my brother and his family will be there to celebrate with me.

Trying out the hanbok
at Bukchon Village

Rhododendrons at Yeouido

I already knew back then that it won't be easy, but only because it takes a lot persuading in order to convince Ding to travel to far places. Even the travel from La Trinidad to Biñan where my brother's family resides was too long for him already. That may be case, I still thought it could be done.

But then, Ding went to another place last year. To a place where he can't come back to where we are...

Remaining Cherry Blossoms
inside the campus

Mama is here in Korea now. No, it's not yet time for me to graduate, but then since I was able to save some amount I thought it would be nice to bring her here even for a week. We went around to some of the famous tourist spots in Seoul. She get to see the cherry blossoms which were all in bloom. She came to the university where I'm studying and met my professor and his wife, my laboratory members and my friends. It feels great being able to do these kind of things for the people we love, especially for those who have brought us up and sacrificed a lot for us.

I am happy, but not completely so... It is bittersweet. I'm happy that my mom is here and yet at the same time sad because I was too late... Had I saved up earlier, Ding would have been able to experience it as well. I was too late, and for that I'm sad.

Dinner with Professor Kim and Miju 언니

야식 (midnight snacks) with my roommates

I realized a dream, but only half a dream. It will forever be such. Although there's no way if fulfilling it, I'm still so thankful for this blessing.