25 November 2022
So many universities for women
From City Hall to Hongdae on foot
Do other cities have women's universities? They are everywhere in Seoul. What goes on in them? Do they teach you how to walk around with a book on your head? One thing I know, wherever there is a women's university there is a large shopping and eating area. Also shops selling traditional hanbok outfits and wedding dresses...
Tonight I passed 3 women's universities.
The walk from City Hall to Hongdae was not particularly far, I followed subway line 2 the whole way. My journey amazingly (to me) set off down a major road I had never been down before, purely because it is hard to get to via the pedestrian crossing across the road (see previous rant). This then took me to many interesting areas, one of which I will probably return to on one of my 4 remaining nights.
Once I got to Hongdae I was surprised it was not busier. It is generally thought of as the busiest place, last time I went on a Saturday afternoon I think.
The problem for me as always was, as a solo diner the places are not suitable, and they do not want to give up a table for one strange foreigner when they are made for a minimum of 4 people. This is why I don't eat Korean bbq in Korea, it is not possible on your own. However, eventually I found something great.
Tomorrow is a hiking day. I have planned a shorter hike, but it is far away. It is Saturday so any of the popular trails closer to the city are too busy for me to cope with.
A level crossing near the centre of Seoul? That is unexpected. I know Tokyo has quite a few that are very annoying, but this is the first I have seen in Seoul. It is not for the actual metro, it might be for a slow passenger train to somewhere, or it might be for freight. Not pictured here, but it does require a guard box with 3 guys carrying glowing red waving wands to wave when the gate comes down.
My journey was going in this direction, at sunset. Actually if I was a bit earlier, those buildings glowed bright orange for a while.
I have seen parasite. The first 9/10's of the movie were good.
I have seen a few book shops like this. Similar concept to shoe shops. Just pile more of everything everywhere. If it rains, cover it all in a tarp. No one steals anything, but it makes browsing impossible. Somewhere inside there's a guy under the pile that died a few years ago.
First I saw a level crossing, now graffiti, in Seoul! Unheard of. This is a very nice part of town too!
Street scene at one of the women's university areas.
Street scene at another of the women's university shopping and dining streets.
Looks like I missed the main part of Hongdae with the live performance areas, here is a tight alleyway instead.
My dinner. This is not a pork cutlet. It is a combo beef and pork and minced vegetable crumbed rissole. It was really good. The sauce was very spicy, and then there is also wasabi. Real wasabi with the dryer texture.
This dork decided to drive his Ferrari down the pedestrian street in Hongdae. I brushed against it on purpose.
Final pic this evening, one last shot of Hongdae.