My Trip in Korea

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> Participants: Mathieu

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I hope that this resume, will give you the way to discover a country and a culture really impressive.
This trip in Korea were for me a so beautiful experience, and a first contact with an asian country.
I didn’t have a precise idea about Korea, it’s culture and traditions before my departure. I arrived in Seoul (10 million peoples) without any prejuces or preconcepts, but just wanted to discover and see the way of life in Korea.

When I arrived at “Inchon Airport”, one special guide were waiting for me :  My Yeon Jin!!!. This is the real reason why i decided to go to Korea...

Its really exotic to arrive in Séoul and see big buildings. Everything seems to me so huge and enormous. Europe look like old comparing with Korea, but maybe with more charm.
Seoul its mean people everywhere, on the street (be-careful trafic james!!!), coffee, restorant, super market, and especially the Metro.
The life never stops in Seoul, the city is always mouving and very busy. Some saunas or shops are open 24/24h. This is give you some advantages because its very convenience, but it’s quiet dificult to find a place more calm.

Korean are so kind, generous and welcoming people. They are very careful with the customer, and treat them very well.

Transports in séoul are very clean and rapid. But you should have to be careful if you take the bus, because some bus drivers are really crazy, looks like racers!!!
I think that all new tourists will think the same about them...So if you want strong sensations, let’s take the bus in Séoul!!!
The metro could be a big labyrinth if you are a novice like me for living in city. But after have been lost a few times....its finally easy to use it and very convenient. Moreover signboards are in Korean and in english, and if you are really lost you could ask your way to a korean people, who will do his best to help you...

The respect its one of the most impotant thinks in Korea, its part of their culture and education, you will see it every day in the korean behaviours. Family takes a very important place, especially the father, and also national days like “ Chusok”, a kind of Thank’s Giving day in Europe.

I will made a mistake to forget speaking about “Ajuma”. Every body know and respect the “Ajuma” in Korea. “Ajuma” are women who are over forty year’s old , you will see them especially on the street, behind their stall, cooking a delicious “Topoki” so spicy!!!, or other kind of korean food. Korean are really greedy about this kind of meal on the street, it’s quickly, not too expensive, just to go over a litlle hungry.
I liked this kind of things in korea.

Korea is surprising country with some paradoxes. Its look like they is two Korea, one really modern with building witch have futurist line like “Gangnam”, financial center, or so big supermarket with 9 or 10 floors, so modern like “Hyundai departement” in “Sinchon” or “Lotte departement” near city center.
And just downstairs this building, the other Korea, with the “Ajuma” and their baraques look like more traditional, more true.
I had the same sensation when i went to “Isadond” or “Eletronic Market”, two bigs markets were you can find every thinks. For a tourist like me i think its interesting place, because i could see things, products that i had ever seen before; so i wanted to spend times there.

During the visite at the “Jong boock Palace “ and the “Chang Deok Gung”, you should go there, its so gorgeous places, and with typical things about the oldest Korea. Its stunning to see this palaces surrounded by Seoul, I am sure that you will be surprise about this picture. It show me a perfect mix betwen culture, tradition and modernity, Korean people could do that very well.

The food in Korea take a important place too, its part of their traditions, the most famous meal are the “Kim-Chi”, who like spicy food will like it, “Bulgoghi” (beef), “Sanbiosang”, (pig), usually they serve you with rise and different kind of sauces or soups.

During my trip in Korea i had the chance to go to “Jejudo”, its a island located at the south. During two days i could breathe fresh air and see beautiful landscapes. A lot of Korean people use to go there during their vacations.
At the “ Bautanic Garden” in “Jejudo” i could see a lot of exotic plants, and trees, I have good souvenir of this days.
The Buddhist Temple are place for meditations and contemplations, i really enjoyed to visit and see this place, in my mind i though that i was very lucky. I was impressed to feel the atmosphere so calm and this serenity hearing a Buddhist’s priest in meditation.

I recommend you, if you have chance or the opportunity in your life to go to Korea, to not esitate, its sure that you willl pass unforgettable moments. Its surprising country where you will see thinks that you ever seen before, and Korean people are really nice.

A special message to Yeon Jin, i could pass, and share with you so beautiful moments..... i really miss it....
Thank you to you, to Yeon Kyo, and your parents....
Big Kiss Mathieu....

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