Seoul for me is special.I have fondest memories of our stay there and everytime I looked back, it still makes me smile.From the airport through its streets, the food, the people, the culture, and its nature and almost everything about Seoul fascinates me.

Yesterday I was taking my usual run in the morning and it´s drizzling a bit, actually its quite the normal Autumn weather nowadays here in Bavaria.I thought, thank God that we walked a lot in the streets of Seoul since it´s the best way to explore it.Seoul is a big city but the area where we stayed near In-sadong and Myeong-dong is such a perfect place and neighbourhood for us to navigate. It is like walking in real life through the scenes of the K-drama that I´ve watched. The street life is so alive and bustling. In Sungnyemun Gate, (also called Namdaemun )we took a break from the rain and just watched the traffic flow in the busy streets of Seoul.This gate is one of the most important historical gate dating from Joseon Era in Seoul.

This is the first gate we´ve explored in Seoul and we were quite amazed.We actually had to buy extra umbrellas in Namdaemun Market because we don´t wanna waste our day in the hotel.Just a few blocks ,we reached the nearest Subway station to reach our destination.Subways in Seoul are really one of a kind. Just like Singapore, trains are very modern, not to mention always packed especially on rush hours. I kinda feel intimidated because I have never seen such great volume of people in subways here in Germany. People are very disciplined, they lined up while waiting for the train and everyone is quiet.Of course, almost—everyone is glued in their smartphones!

Let me tell you about the street food.The streets running through our Hotel is full of vibes, day and night. It is lined with different kinds of shops, small and large scales of different things to sell and in every corner, there´s this little but quaint -looking restaurants.It´s crazy but there´s even a street line with restaurants where delicate octopuses are cooked and tables for grilling meat.Its hard to make choices but we go with the ones that we are familiar with. Most of the menus are written in Korean but simple english phrases are also understood.paying by card is also normal but we always bring Wons just in case its needed.

When its happy hour, right after work, people sit there in circles, having BBQ´s and just drink the night away. Soju is actually cheaper than water in Seoul!We loved Korean food and its Banchans–South Korea´s love affair with side dishes!I just love eating healthy food in Seoul! I always looked forward after we´ve ordered.We wait until all the food is served and watched how our table is so full of little side dishes for us to enjoy.We never ate from fast food in our entire stay in Seoul since their food is really amazing and delicious, added the fact that is not that expensive.

There´s always a mixture of old and modern culture in the streets of Seoul. I love the fact that it preserves its heritage but the city itself is bustling with modern buildings, large malls, wide streets and plenty of parks for people to enjoy.

We explored the polished streets in Gangnam, its underground malls and navigate through the historical and cultural sights but the thing that fascinates me are the tiny streets in Seoul that shows how the normal people go by in their daily lives.I have never seen a dump of garbage in the streets and that is quite worthy of mentioning.There are quirky things in the streets but not of those pile of garbages.

We were in Jongmyo Shrine and there´s a sign on the pathway for visitors not to walk on it since its for the spirits.That made us really think and got us curious. That´s the way to learn something from this place.Later on, we´ve learned that this place is quite holy for Koreans.This is the place where the spirit tablets of the deceased Kings and Queens are enshrined and sacrificial rites performed based on Confucian principle.This is the reason why Jongmyo is a UNESCO Heritage site.

Anyway, the way to the Palaces and shrines are well-connected with the public transportation.We managed to explore almost all of the things we wanted to see but then due to the weather, we cut it short .One of the memorable time we´ve had was when we had our tea in an old traditional Hanok Tea house in Insadong.It was such a quiet time but we really had a great time there.

I could always go back in there and enjoy a warm drink while watching the rain.That´s the enigma of Seoul, it keeps us looking forward for more.People watching became a habit for me and I kinda like it.The people we´ve met are all polite and courteous.In restaurants, tipping is not encouraged and the food portions are always more than enough. There´s always a bottle of water in our table so we never ordered soda.

Our hotel is quite close to Namdaemun market and we also have a great view of the Namsan Tower.Whenever we visit Namdaemun, I always find something and I cannot stop buying like cute socks, hairpins and my daughter was addicted to Korean cute stuff. There are lots of it here and I find it really beautiful. Namdaemun market is really a gem, crowded-yes, but also have great deals for your money.I love the sticky rice pancakes that I´ve had here.

In Myeong-dong, you go crazy shopping and the variety of street food will leave you speechless.Seoul is the capital of beauty products and I kinda wish that they open more stores in Germany! I ´ve got quite a few of their products and they are amazing. It works for me so I think it really depends on your own preferences.

I kinda got used to the normal grey and green e-rollers in Germany but here, they have it in Purple–how cool is that!

I´ve got lots of things to write about our wanderings in Seoul but I guess it´s better to see it with your own eyes.The thing about traveling is that it opens your eyes and teaches you valuable reasons about other culture.We saw this beautiful city and fell in love with it.It is so true that our jobs fill our pockets but adventures in foreign land really fills up our soul.

I tooked with me lots of memories and leaved nothing but footprints, oh yes, I´ve got the chance to photographed so many nice Manholes in Seoul and that I´ll treasure as well!

When was your last satisfying walk?

Let me take you to some memorable walks I´ve had :

A unique Walk in Leutascherklamm

Linderhof, the best kept castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria

Me and my Wandering Thoughts in Eibsee

One Foggy Autumn day in Kelheim

Our Food Coma Walks in Vienna, Austria

Public Art street sightings and more walking in Brussels, Belgium

Wandering and Tell-Tales in Bratislava, Slovakia

I´ll see you in my next wanderings and street sightings.

Until then, Be safe and Tschüss.