I actually talked my way into seeing Seoul when Delta changed my flight.
“I don’t want to arrive in Bali after midnight.” I expressed with displeasure.
“Well you see there’s a partner airline, ma’am so if you want to leave Seoul that day, there’s nothing we can do.”
“That day?” I thought quickly,” Well, could you provide me with a credit to my account or a hotel voucher?”
“Let me check,” I glanced at my watch. Three minutes. Googled something. Seven Minutes. Checked my e-mail. Ten minutes. Finally a, “No,” comes through the phone.
“Could you extend my layover perhaps? Then I could see some of the country.”
“Yes.” the woman stated, “we can extend it for three days, max.”
“Done.” I said.
And so, this is how I ended up getting to South Korea. When I booked this, I had only images of beautiful flowers and kimchi in mind. I had no idea that there were tours to the Demilitarized Zone, that markets and food in Korea were exceptionally special, or that it had the largest current community of American Ex-pats. I did know, however, that some of my favorite friends in the states were Korean.
What to do with two days in Seoul:
Eat Kimchi
It’s cliché, but when in Korea, you need to try kimchi in all of it’s forms. Eat it as a cabbage dish, with green pumpkin or sometimes an-ochre like veggie. It is something to be experienced.
Korean Barbecue:
Korean barbecue is so good! Some restaurants allow you to do the BBQ yourself, others prepare the food in front of you, and still, others prepare it for you. Go with friends as it is meant to be shared: it is a delectable treat!
Go to One of the Many Markets:
Korean Markets are busy and have the most unique items. Additionally, they are inexpensive and fun to navigate. Often sellers blast K-pop (an infectious type of Korean Dance Music), and the vibe there is great!
The DMZ:
Anyone can visit the buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DeMilitarized Zone is a place where both sides stare at each other, waiting for something to happen. Tours are usually about $40 but you would need to book it in advance so that the tour company can run a background check.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
This free historic attraction is easy to get to from most places in Seoul. It is absolutely free, and if you arrive at 11 am, you can watch the changing of the guards.
Additionally, Seoul has several free tours. Any one of these options are a great way to explore the city. Forty-eight hours in Seoul is not enough time to see everything, but you can
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