Was in Seoul for work last week, and despite the pressure at work, being in Bright Lights Big City No Honking was so refreshing.
Seoul was probably at her best last week – clear skies with the sun’s rays bursting through the dusty clouds, 25degC and just so pleasantly peaceful even at 9pm at Myeong-dong (biggest shopping street).
But this place has a serious obsession with skin. I had never seen so many skincare shops on one single street. Think Starbucks in Seattle – and multiply by ten because there’s so many different brands, all with multiple shops in one area. Madness. The girls aren’t all hot (contrary to what I had in mind), but they definitely still all look on on TV. Yep, plastic is the currency there.
Anyway, sad to say I didn’t get to even have the one thing I craved the most – their Korean ginseng chicken soup. I still fantasize about that earthy, delicious soulful broth since I last had that in ’99… Sigh, another reason to head back – this time definitely to Jeju Island. Heard so much about it!
Only one reflection after coming back to crazy China – I really gotta limit my trips to swanky, developed cities with beautiful shops and cafes for a while…
Not that I don’t like them. On the contrary, it just makes coming back to China a little harder everytime.
That’s the thing about China – the blue sky days feel so much bluer because the rest of days you feel like you’re in a pretty ugly, smoggy city (especially from the 20+ floor of my apartment). I think for as long as I can live here, the one thing I absolutely cannot get used to, is the *aaaarrrrccchhhkkk. pppuuiit*
Oh god, please bless my sole.
Little Roots in China 