Journey to Korea: Seoul and Deoksugung Palace

Tuesday
We woke up at 8:30 and had a wonderful buffet breakfast at the Hotel resturant which was free, or so we thought until we went to check out and they presented us with a bill! Serves us right for assuming! The Hotel again was very nice in calling us a cab and telling the cab driver where to take us next. That poor cab driver, after many twists and turns and shouting out the window asking for directions while my mom hyperventilated in the back over how many crashes we almost got in, finally found the place and was thankful to get rid of us. Now we were a little leary, again looked sketchy and we made the driver wait while we went up to make sure it was the right place, but man was the location ever great. Now the room is to say the least probably never something you would stay in while in the states,but it is clean, cheap and is in a great location. We can walk everywhere and there is a subway station right next to us as well as bus stops.

our hotel in Seoul!

Our first visit was to Deoksugung Palace. It is in the middle of the city and pretty cool, expecially the changing of the guards. After that we went for a walk by the river which is one block from where we are staying. Now if we had something like this in Grand Rapids it would be amazing. Everyone hangs out here, kids are playing along the edge, grandmas are soaking their feet, guys are out with their girls it is so cool. There are differant bridges up and down the river not a one the same, fountains and waterfalls, lazer lights, art, you name it it is there! We stayed there until around 8:00 than walked back to our place where we were amazed to see we are staying on a happening street! Everyone is out dining, out having beers, visiting, shopping, pretty cool! Tomorrow we plan on going to another palace and trying out the subway. So until tomorrow, Jess