Everything is awesome

That last post was just as embarrassing as I figured it would be. I promise you this blog is going to at least try to be about something other than barely coherent rambling about semi-insane things that didn't even happen. Although perhaps that's the only thing that keeps you coming back...oh well.

Today was my only full free day in Seoul this week. We start training tomorrow and then, if all goes well, I'll be shipping out to Pyeongtaek on Friday. Initially I was nervous about wandering too far into the city for fear I would get lost, but after discovering an offline map and subway guide for my phone I found myself filled with an ill-advised level of confidence and decided to take an adventure. On a friend's recommendation (thanks Cynthia!) I decided to visit Insadong, a large market street north of the river. Shops and pavilions sell a variety of things, from traditional Korean clothing to some really gorgeous antiques (not that I know the first thing about antiques but they did look really cool). Insadong was fantastic; I stopped at any street food cart that had the word "Spicy" on it somewhere and everything I ate was amazing.

I checked my map from here and found there seemed to be a small stream running through the middle of the city. I ventured towards it on a whim and discovered that, basically, there is a small stream running through the middle of the city.

See?

Don't worry, I looked into it - it's called the Cheonggyecheon (I'm glad I'm typing this so none of you will ever discover I have no idea how to pronounce that word). There was a natural stream flowing on this site before the Korean war, but a highway was placed over it during post-war development. The government restored the site in 2005 and now it is one of the most pleasant and calming walks I have ever taken.

I also briefly visited an a museum dedicated to the life of King Sejong but had to leave because the amount I was sweating was starting to become seriously embarrassing. It was once again incredibly hot and humid today, culminating in a vicious lightning storm that was polite enough to start just at the very moment I left the hotel for dinner. So my adventure into Seoul was fun and almost entirely without incident. Except of course for the fact that I accidentally left the subway at my first transfer point and had to pay to get back on. And the fact that I got lost about a block from my hotel due to being dumb.

Oh right, have to quickly write about dinner as well. I ran into the nearest restaurant to get out of the rain, and it turned out they didn't have English menus. Or anyone employed who spoke English. So I actually have no idea what the dish I ate was even called. The incredibly nice lady just pointed at a thing and I kinda nodded, and about ten minutes later she brought me out a bowl of unbelievably delicious Something. She then showed me how to mix and eat it properly because she could tell I was just exactly that guy. It didn't occur to me until just before I left that I had an offline translator on my phone as well that I could have been using, but to be honest I'm glad I forgot. I did at least get to tell her how much I loved the food, which seemed to make her very happy.

Training starts tomorrow; should be an easy day but I'm nervous nonetheless because of course I am. Calming down is just not a thing I'm gonna do. I hope I get a bit more free time this week, but if not it's a short train ride from where I'll be living. I'll definitely be back!

(At this point I normally insert a quote, but they're hard to think of sometimes and I'm sleepy, so I'm gonna break that trend early, please don't judge me)