A huge perk of our Year in Japan is the proximity to a brand new (to us) side of the world! We've explored (almost) all 50 States and half of the Canadian Provinces, but we've barely grazed the surface of this side of the Pacific. We know that 10 days in New Zealand and 24 hours in Aussie was just the tip of the Iceberg. We're excited to immerse ourselves in our new home and venture to new destinations.
A slight problem: within the last 6 weeks we drove as far east as possible (8K kilometers to Newfoundland and back) coordinated a move 11K kilometers away, finished packing, fixing and renting our home and wrapped up our jobs. Then the process of actually moving, choosing an apartment, unpacking, navigating a new city with a language we barely understand. A week in a Japanese Hotel, then a week in our Apartment, then Jesse's first week off. Did we have time to plan our first Adventure? Heck no! Enter our dear friends Rachel and Nathan. A quick email, can we come visit? And a few days later our personal travel consultant composed an incredible 3 days Itinerary hitting all the highlights of Seoul.
A slight problem: within the last 6 weeks we drove as far east as possible (8K kilometers to Newfoundland and back) coordinated a move 11K kilometers away, finished packing, fixing and renting our home and wrapped up our jobs. Then the process of actually moving, choosing an apartment, unpacking, navigating a new city with a language we barely understand. A week in a Japanese Hotel, then a week in our Apartment, then Jesse's first week off. Did we have time to plan our first Adventure? Heck no! Enter our dear friends Rachel and Nathan. A quick email, can we come visit? And a few days later our personal travel consultant composed an incredible 3 days Itinerary hitting all the highlights of Seoul.
Going into our trip we hadn't really thought about what to expect. We knew we'd be seeing new places, tasting new foods, hearing new sounds, but we didn't really stop to think about what this new place would be like.
I had no idea how big, like never ending downtown buildings big Seoul would be. Sprawling out in every direction, tucking around mountains, criss-crossing really big rivers. A huge city with so many neighborhoods, each one enticing us to explore!
I had no idea how big, like never ending downtown buildings big Seoul would be. Sprawling out in every direction, tucking around mountains, criss-crossing really big rivers. A huge city with so many neighborhoods, each one enticing us to explore!
We toured palaces and temples, tucked in between big tall buildings in a busy city. Amazed at the depth of history in these spaces, walking the paths that centuries (upon centuries and centuries) people have traced, admiring the beautiful structures celebrating this culture.
A new term was coined on this trip #thecurseofJesse. You see, Jesse arrived in Japan on July 23rd, at the start of an incredible heat wave. That followed us to Seoul. Tuesday was our big day, frolicking around town catching all the sites. Tuesday was 100 degrees, easy. Plus humidity. So ridiculously hot. We left on Friday, a beautiful cool breezy unhumid day. That we missed. And arrived back in Japan where it was still under the oppressive heat. One day we'll feel chilly again right?
Nathan's personal fan powered off his phone #sogladheshared #bestideaever #allthejealousy
We wandered down this alley, old houses tucked in closely on each side. Many of these structures have been retrofited inside housing shops and restaurants. We stopped in at one of these places, choosing one with glorious AC on high blast. We ordered some snacks and had the best tasting rice cakes smothered in tomato sauce and cheese. So so so tasty.
And then a very different kind of street. Seoul, a city that maybe never sleeps? Flashy lights, loud music, energy everywhere. I thought Japan's roads were narrow and crowded, but they have nothing on Seoul. Pedestrians and cars, doing their own dance along the streets. I can't imagine anyone choosing to drive down this road. Also, when cars creep this slowly they are very quiet. Very hard to hear coming up from behind you.
And one very important life lesson. Sometimes trains are really crowded. Sometimes it takes a bit to squeeze and push your way in. Sometimes, while your group is still in the midst of squeezing your way onto the crowded train the doors shut unexpectedly. #opps #prollynottheonlytimethiswillhappen
Goodbye Seoul, thanks for an incredible (and blazing hot) few days.
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Sidenote: the War Museum. In the middle of this city, they carved this space out. A space to celebrate the strength and determination of citizens, memorialize the lives lost and aim for a peaceful future. In the middle of these tributes they had a display of children's drawings. Drawings filled with rainbows and birds and flowers. Hope for peace.
As we're just beginning to immerse ourselves in these new to us cultures, it stands out to me just how similar we all are. Our environments are filled with trees and flowers and mountains and oceans. We love our families and our friends. We're really just a different side of the same coin. Wishing we could embrace these uniquenesses, set aside our differences (and impulsive tweets) and just all act like responsible folks, get along and invest in our future. These children get it, they see a world full of peace, a beautiful idea we need to be striving towards.
As we're just beginning to immerse ourselves in these new to us cultures, it stands out to me just how similar we all are. Our environments are filled with trees and flowers and mountains and oceans. We love our families and our friends. We're really just a different side of the same coin. Wishing we could embrace these uniquenesses, set aside our differences (and impulsive tweets) and just all act like responsible folks, get along and invest in our future. These children get it, they see a world full of peace, a beautiful idea we need to be striving towards.