Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Design Plaza

When I was trying to learn Korean using Mango Languages, I often had to translate sentences about Namdaemun Market. "Where is Namdaemun Market?" "Is there a subway station near Namdaemun Market?" "Seoul Station is in front of Namdaemun Market." Sentences like that. I flew all the way over here, so I had to see what this market that I kept talking about actually looked like!

We have tried many different ways to navigate the city. We've traveled by subway, bus, taxi, and we've walked. Yesterday we tried something new. We traveled by bike. Bikes are easy to rent here in Seoul. I had to download an app and then purchase a one day pass. A one day pass cost 1,000 won which is about 75 cents. So, for all 4 of us to use a bike throughout the day, it cost about $3.00. Quite the deal! I was the only one in the family who downloaded the app which did make things a bit tricky. I won't bore you with the details, but basically, the app is almost completely in Korean. There are a couple spots in English, but any pop up messages are in Korean, so it is very difficult to navigate. But we figured it out!

First we rode by bike to Namdaemun Market. We stopped for a simple lunch at a cafe that served Margherita pizza. We ordered two. When it came we realized it was really just a cheese pizza. Oh well. Then we navigated the market. It was endless. There were stalls and stalls and stalls of things for sale. Luke bought more souvenirs. He's already bought so many! I'm sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who knows him. I finally broke down and bought one. Jordan and Aiden each bought a couple things with money from Grandma. We stopped at a food stall where Jordan bought dried mango and Aiden bought dried something or other. It was some Korean fruit I had never heard of. While we were at the stand, I pointed to several different things and said, "이거 뭐에요?" (i-geo-mwah-ay-oh) which means, What is this? The shopkeeper politely told me the names of everything. Then I pointed to a basket of dried silvery something or others and he said, "Dried anchovies." Wow. He walked away and came back with a small handful and wanted us each to try some. I just couldn't. I tried to be kind, polite, and gracious, but I just couldn't summon the courage to put them in my mouth. The rest of the family tried some, though. Even Aiden! They all chewed and swallowed. Jordan said he would eat them if he was stranded somewhere and there was nothing else to eat. But that would be the only time.

In the evening we went to a burger joint for dinner. Luke was craving burgers, so I found a place. It looked so charming in the pictures. It boasted a rooftop terrace and looked like a 50s diner. So we mounted our bikes again and headed out. Naver map (Korea's version of google maps) led us to a small, dingy alleyway. We thought for sure something was wrong, but sure enough, the restaurant suddenly appeared in front of us. The food tasted delicious, but the rooftop terrace was nothing to boast about. There was plenty of seating up there, but it overlooked what can only be described as a trash heap on top of several connecting rooftops. We had to make our way out of the dingy alley after dinner with Aiden trying to discreetly cover his nose the whole time. Fish and the smell of fish was everywhere!

After dinner we took a cab to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Remember Luke's hives issue? He can't be active after he eats, so we couldn't bike there. Once we arrived we realized that we all had left our public transportation cards at home which meant we also had to take a cab home. It was completely dark by this point.  Jordan was thrilled. The cheap Dutch side of me was less than happy about that. The building and design plaza is difficult to explain. I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

Our time in Seoul is quickly drawing to an end. We have one more adventure planned for tonight and then tomorrow we head out to Gwangju. Most of today was a very quiet day for the boys. I didn't make them venture out even though Luke and I did. The temperature is 93 degrees with a feels like temperature of 97. Touring anything around here requires being outside for at least part of the time. And even though the buildings have air conditioning, it is nothing like it is in America. They still feel warm. I feel guilty letting the boys be lazy inside today even though I did give them a couple little chores. Luke assures me that it is fine. We packed a lot into our time here in Seoul. And the heat is oppressive!

Namdaemun Market. I didn't take many pictures because it was too busy and crowded. 

Luke took this picture of the rest of us on bikes. Jordan was our fearless leader.

A picture of the entrance to another palace

A little taste of home

Jordan took this short video on the terrace of the restaurant. Check out that view! Not too appealing.

Jordan is getting tired of Luke's request for pictures all the time. Aiden and I are too. We just hide it better.

Proof that Jordan was actually having a good time. And a peek into Aiden's true feelings about another picture.

Most of the following pictures were taken by Jordan at the Design Plaza. He is a much better photographer than me. 

Luke hung out in this cafe so he wouldn't break out in hives.