The River of Babble-on: Seoul

Friday, August 26, 2011

Seoul - August 2011

So on my work trip to Korea I was able to have a day stop-over in Seoul. A couple of friends that had been were not that impressed with it (though one was - Lorenzo thought it was worth stopping), I figured what the heck why not. And I'm actually really glad I did.

Things I learned in my 24 hours in Seoul:

1) it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world, and it's really urban sprawl gone wrong. At the cost of any sense of aesthetic or spirit (I even heard a story of the demolishing of historical buildings in order to put up high rises).

2) I cannot tell the difference between the people of China, Japan, and Korea

3) I still don't like spicy food.

4) Korea is really not a "First World Country" (yet) - someone I met said they are only really 10-15 years ahead of China. Their economy is doing well, but the "social indicators" are still missing.

5) When you tour by yourself, you inevitably ended up chatting to interesting people. (Even if Seoul is still not super tourist friendly - though, bless them they are trying.)

And the pictures: