 
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1206
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:02 pm: |    |
The trip itself was good. I have to say I prefer Detroit to Seoul, since Seoul looked like all new apartment buildings. Saw a couple of palaces, and old Japanese torture prison, ironically Transformers, and did a lot of hiking.
As for the two other questions, I go back after Labor Day, and god no I have not gotten that stuff yet (besides homework for the summer  ) |
Hysteria
Member
Username: Hysteria
Post Number: 2730
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:09 pm: | |
What about the food, Scs100? How was it? |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1207
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:20 pm: | |
I hate Kimchi. That's all to say.
Actually, Korean BBQ is really good. They are really good with beef. All in all, the food was pretty good. |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 640
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 11:54 pm: | |
Hey Scs - thanks for responding.
Did you feel as if you were halfway around the world or because of technology did Seoul seem not too far away? I hope you know what I'm trying to ask.
Is most of the housing apartments or did they have suburbs like ours?
What about the whole North Korea thing? Do you now have a better understanding about what is going on over there? Aren't North Koreans banned from going to South Korea? And that Kim Jong-Il, do people fear him?
That's too many questions, I know. I don't want to delete any of them because if you have the time to answer them I would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks Scs, k |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1209
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 12:01 am: | |
Well, since I did step foot into North Korea, I'm assuming the reverse can happen. Their suburbs consist of more apartment buildings, so basically, they really aren't suburbs. I have somewhat of a better understanding of what is going on over there after seeing 3 minefields and a couple of tank walls. I wouldn't say people fear him but I wouldn't say they are too comfortable either. With the exception of trying to read characters as letters, it didn't feel too far away. The 12/1/2 hour plane ride said otherwise. Anymore? I'll be glad to answer them. |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 650
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 12:46 pm: | |
I just think you were so lucky to be able to go there. YOu will reference your trip to Korea throughout your life. If you didn't keep a journal, you should start remembering and writing now. Trust me, when you are older you will have forgotten things that you wish you could remember. Write names and places on the backs of your pictures! (I guess that's old school - backs of pictures)
Could you get Kobe Beef? Where were the mine fields and what is a tank wall?
what's their economy like? Is food/clothing expensive? Did you even notice? |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1210
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 1:54 pm: | |
I didn't get Kobe Beef as far as I know. The minefields were in every forested area within the DMZ practically. A tank wall is a huge concrete wall that tanks aren't supposed to get through. It is supposed to stop an invasion for a period of time. The economy is similar to ours. Computers and electronics (cell phones) are a major part of that. Food/clothing wasn't really expensive. However, it is a great place for pirated movies/games. Bought 300 and Casino Royale for $5. Best deal ever, with really good audio and picture quality. |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 665
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 6:18 pm: | |
Do you think you could learn Korean? |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1211
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 6:30 pm: | |
No, and I didn't even try (with the exception of learning how to say thank you and hello) |
Hysteria
Member
Username: Hysteria
Post Number: 2731
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 7:14 pm: | |
Scs100, what was the purpose of your trip? |
Crash_nyc
Member
Username: Crash_nyc
Post Number: 973
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 1:44 am: | |
Did you spend a scandalous evening bar-hopping on "The Hill" in Itaewan? |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1212
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 9:06 am: | |
The purpose was to visit a friend who had moved over there after his dad got transferred to Seoul by GM.
Amazingly, I was in Itaewon for 2 days in a row, and then one other day later on and never even saw a bar. Wasn't looking hard enough I guess. |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 683
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 3:36 pm: | |
Scs100 is too young to go to bars. (well, in the U.S. - maybe not in Korea) |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1214
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 4:13 pm: | |
Still too young there too. Dammit.  |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 687
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 8:34 pm: | |
I've been to bars. They are fun. Not as much fun as they used to be because of all the DUI enforcement. In the early 1980's I was such an idiot. But I never got a ticket. Once an Officer pulled behind me in front of my house and told me he had been following me and that he was glad to see that I had made it safely. Can you beat that? It's a different world now.
Good luck with all that in your future. Make enough money so that you can afford a driver. that would be sweet! |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1218
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 8:43 pm: | |
That it would. |
Crash_nyc
Member
Username: Crash_nyc
Post Number: 974
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 6:36 am: | |
Scs100:
Amazingly, I was in Itaewon for 2 days in a row, and then one other day later on and never even saw a bar.
Itaewon is a MUCH different place after the sun goes down. Shopping by day, vice by night. |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1219
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 8:24 am: | |
True. That would explain a lot. |
1st_sgt
Member
Username: 1st_sgt
Post Number: 102
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 3:57 pm: | |
Scs100,
If you would have gone up the road across from the Hamilton Hotel where there was a McDonalds’ on the corner, (I would think it is still there, I know the hotel is) go up the hill, on both sides are the Clubs.
If you keep going up the street you finally hit Sobingo. Where my In-laws live. It has to be a lot different now, then when I was there.
I have heard you need to travel in pairs now. (I never did in the past).
Did you get to see the Folk village (the one in Suwon)? Visit Panmunjom? Travel in the country side?
When I was there (three tours 70’s 80’s and 90’s, six years total) I would take a country bus to the end of the line, spend the weekend and return to were I started (Tong du chon or Wonju).
I learned a lot of Korean and met many new Korean friends. I never had a problem or felt threatened. Some one always came up and started a conversation (English and Korean). I never got lost, someone always helped me.
I even attended a wedding and a funeral on some of my “getaways”. I stayed in a Buda temple one time.
I love Korea and have many great memories, hope I can return for a visit (Not stationed there) soon.
Any one can learn to read Korean in one day. I taught one of my Lt’s to read in an hour, while driving up to Beason microwave station. (Hill 1290 I think). We stopped in a restaurant on the return trip. He read the menu on the wall and ordered for us.
Vocabulary takes time. (I’m still not fluent, my pronunciation sucks. I can understand it more then speak it).
Did you try different types of kimchee?
Most Americans like Pa kimchee (green onion), or Oi kimchee (cucumber kimchee), and Mul kimchee (water (summer) kimchee).
I don’t like cabbage (Peckchu) myself.
Did you get to East gate market orYongsan electric market?
I can give you a list of places to see away from the cities.
If you read some Korean books it will help to understand the country and people and you’ll get more out of your visit. (The living Reed by Pearl S Buck is a good novel based on Korean history).
I hope you had and will have a good time and were/will be treated well. |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1232
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 4:33 pm: | |
I did both markets, but never got past the McDonalds in Itaewon. I didn't try too many variations of kimchee, since both my friend and I don't like it in the first place (one taste proved that). The countryside I saw was on the way to the DMZ, so unless the barbed wire is dropped out of my head, it didn't really count as countryside. I was supposed to go on a 3 day hike, but that was canceled due to someone having to drop out and we couldn't fill his spot. I was going to learn Korean, but my friend and I got tied up and I never got around to it. I did read some books before I left for Seoul and it did help, especially when we went to Seoudaemun prison. |