1 April 2024
Kicking around Gangnam
Global Taekwondo Headquarters
I exited my hotel and spotted a hill to walk up. This would seem like a ridiculous thing to do because I had been climbing hills all day, but when I see a hill, I must go up it. If you want to set a trap for me, erect a hill nearby with a trap at the top.
Up the hill turned out to be the Global Taekwondo Headquarters. I guess they invented it here, so they get to have the global headquarters.
After finding a way out of the strangely secure compound, I found myself in Gangnam hills, home of many a k pop star, but also many places to dress up and go in a photo booth to pay for poor quality photos. These are now a thing in Melbourne too, but there is an entire street of them here as you shall see.
Finally it was time for Korean style pasta, which I shall describe in the photo below.
There it is, the Global Taekwondo Headquarters. I am getting tired of typing that. They had hundreds of country flags surrounding the building, leading up to a separate area of 20 x USA flags. Everyone else only gets one flag.
As I mentioned, the grounds were inside a secure compound, with check points for vehicles and large fences. So I walked right in and did some exercises on the equipment they have kindly provided. Getting out of the compound was a bit frustrating, I assumed there would be another way out but no, just more fences.
There was nowhere for a good clear view of the city below. This is the best I could do. It also features yellow flowers.
Nearby area a lot of sports equipment shops, specifically for combat sports. We do not have an Adidas combat sports specialty store in Australia.
The area around Gangnam is on some steep hills. You cannot ever photograph 'steep' effectively. There are a lot of very fancy cafes.
Taking over from cafes these days are all the themed places to have your photograph taken. You go in here to dress up like a skater boy.
In this one you pretend to be in a rich persons house entrance. The quotes from previous guests were strangely also available in English, and included 'I enjoyed not only the photogenic setting for my influential instagram channel, but personally appreciated the flattering lighting which made my face smooth, and also the uplifting fragrance'.
Today was a no words spoken day. I have been questioned when I mention that to other people as to how that can be possible. Here is how. This is how you order food and also pay for it, there is a slot for a credit card. This particular place had no English, but that is fine, just point your phone at it while you go through the menu and read it on your phone.
And here is my dinner. Apparently it is Korean style pasta. Which features Bulgogi beef and Gochujang shrimp. I was able to enjoy.
I headed back along the main pedestrian street that also has cars to get back to my hotel. It was actually dark even! Also very quiet on a Monday night.
I briefly thought about going underground to play solitaire.
And finally, I now know why there are kung fu dudes in the middle of the road everywhere around here.
Tomorrow is a rest day, so not photos of dead mountains, probably.