I've had several chances to get out and explore Seoul. The subway system is extensive, so it is easy to walk downstairs to "my" station (Ichon) and get virtually anywhere I want in the city and beyond. I love seeing the old gates and palaces. I took this picture to illustrate the dichotomy (and beauty) of the new and old, which are often found side-by-side.
This is the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at the Deoksungung Palace.
Traditional drum.
So this is pretty funny. I used a guidebook for my first venture or two of exploration. While I was out, I visited a tourist bureau and picked up several maps. I think this was actually my first trip that I planned from the maps. I was so excited to spend a Saturday at a major palace that I found on my map. I plotted my route, got on the subway, and confidently followed the map from the exit station to the... prison. That's right. This is the entrance to the "palace" that turned out to be a prison where the Japanese tortured and killed Korean disenters.
So I went hiking on the small mountain behind the prison. I saw this...
... and this! An outdoor gym that is fairly typical. You have to hike a long ways to get to them.
These men are all playing Changgi. It is a 2-man game like chess, but often bystanders get involved.
All-in-all it turned out to be a good day, but I still think that next time I'll use a map that's printed in English!
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