Back to the Tower
After brunch on Saturday, no one seemed too keen on hiking up Mt. Namsam (I still don't think it's really a mountain bc I doing think it's really that tall) so we hopped in a cab and rode to the top; only after touring the fanciest hotel in Seoul, The Grand Hyatt, which is on the way. Grand Hyatt's in the U.S. are nice but not even remotely close to falling into the same category as this one. RCP has had a few evenings of entertainment at the Hyatt, before my arrival of course, and it's definitely a place ONLY for a very special occasions...or an expense account.
Just to give you an idea: Mixed drinks at the bar JJ's run around $40 a drink,
while a pizza will set you back $80....
but according to RCP, the Long Island Ice Tea is fabulous...
fabulous enough to not remember the whole night.
What's the point if you can't even remember the drink?
(And why he's drinking Long Island Ice Tea's, I'll never know).
View from the pool...at least there's a view with the drinks.
Now, THIS is worth an $80 pizza.
Non-guests aren't allowed to play, but I'm determined to play here so I'm going to have RCP call and work some magic. Everyone loves a "Samsung Man". I'm sure the pro needs something to do anyway.
Do not visit Seoul Tower on a Saturday Afternoon in the Fall
After our cab ride up the mountain, we learned it was an hour wait to go to the top of the tower. No thanks. So after getting a few similar views, just from couple hundred feet lower, and viewing some traditional Korean entertainment, we road the cable car down the other side of the mountain.
Cotton candy is something you just don't pass up.
I love cotton candy. It reminds me of Astros games.
View from the cable car.
The cable car was less like a gondola and more like a standing room only subway car, but was a lot more fun than walking down the mountain.
Okay, I guess the mountain is really a mountain; it is pretty steep.
Dave and Agata, you get one pass, next time we're walking up AND down the mountain....
no cabs and cable cars.
Up and over the fall foliage of Mt. Namsam
Hongdae - A Kilometer of Excitement
We thought we'd spend our last night with Dave and Agata in an area called Hongdae, which I had heard a lot about but had yet to visit.....at night. I had been during the day looking for an art supply store, but as anyone knows, areas tend to transform once the sun sets. Hongdae is the area in front of Hongik University, a major art college in Korea. The area is a nexus of Korea's youthful nightlife and rock, techno, hop hop, and jazz enthusiasts gather in the area's many restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy the lively atmosphere. Also, as in most areas in Korea, there is also shopping to your heart's desire. The main street is about a kilometer long and I have never ever seen a livelier, more energetic street. Nothing in New York comes close. It was as if a street festival was going on, but this was a normal Saturday night. So we wandered until we found some bbq, met up with RCP's good friend Larry, experienced some free entertainment, partook in Korea's "open container" policy, and ended with some drinks in a no-name, hidden gem far above the crowds. It was a great evening.
Everyone wants to be here!
There are young musicians everywhere, adding to the lively atmosphere.
We found a fantastic Korean bbq spot in a back alley. The best part was the private tables and that you had to take your shoes off before entering. Eating dinner, especially good beef, barefoot? Nothing better.
This bbq joint was a little different, in that they pit was not set into the table like most. They brought a giant iron pot filled with the coals and placed it on the wood block you see here.
The sides were fantastic....even the kimchi.
Hot coals!
The restaurant didn't have an English menu, so the owner ordered the "sampler" for us.
This was Round One.....
...this was Round Two...
...and Round Three...
Korean's love pork and some bbq restaurants only serve pork....I also think they just love fat, because the pork cuts are always three quarters fat.
The bbq restaurants also like to change out the grills quite often and usually for each different cut of meat. In this case, we had used the wrong grill and insisted that we didn't care, but they insisted on switching to the correct grill.
Basic Korean BBQ Rule #1: The girl at the table is the one in charge of cooking the meat....and in some cases cutting the meat....with scissors.
Rule #2: Cut the meat AFTER it's cooked; the scissors work better.
A great dinner.
After dinner, at Larry's suggestion, we went to the park across the street for some free entertainment.
I'm kind of a fan of Korean hip hop now.
Meet Larry, the expert on Korea!
Larry was at Chicago with RCP and in the same class.
He's been here for three years working for LG.
Thanks to Larry, we were introduced to Korea's "open container" law, or lack there of.
There's no law against having an open alcoholic beverage out on the public streets...and no one abuses it.
There are even trucks that sell pre-mixed drinks in ziploc bags that you just pop a straw into.
If this world existed in the America? Chaos. Drunken chaos.
It was such a great vibe....
The essence of Hongdae....
...from above.
Party on kids, party on.
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