I’m so exhausted I pass out before 7pm while attempting to edit my photos. My deep sleep is abruptly interrupted by the doorbell in my room. I stumble out of bed and without thinking, open the door without asking who’s on the other side. A young girl starts with surprise upon seeing me and guiltily says,
“I’m at the wrong room. So sorry!” And runs away.
“God dammit!!” And other more colourful expletives come out of my mouth. My shoulders slump and I shake my head. It’s only 9pm and I have to will myself back to dreamland or my jet lag is going to be really f$!ked tomorrow.
I manage to sleep in fits and starts until 4:30am and then give up. I guess I have been abed since 7pm so this is an appropriate time to wake up. I finish editing photos and work on my blog before heading out to explore. On my way out I ask the front desk what my options are for transport to the airport tomorrow morning that isn’t going to cost a fortune and they suggest the bus. It takes longer but it only costs $17 and the stop is a 5 minute walk. Definitely better than an $85 taxi!
While exploring Ihwa Village I happen upon a badminton court with four players in the middle of an intense game. There’s a lot of yelling as they stretch to make the shot and laughing when they miss. I watch for a bit, cheering and clapping. Continuing on, I follow a trail along the Seoul City Wall to Cheonggyecheon stream. Locals jog and walk along its banks, large fish lazily swim past and white egrets stand one-legged on the rocks. Once again, I marvel that I’m in the middle of the city and yet I don’t hear any traffic or noise other than the peaceful sounds of nature.
My stomach is grumbling and rain has started so I head to Gwangjang Market, which literally sells anything and everything, including food. I try a deep fried pork cake, or at least I think that’s what it is. Regardless, it’s delicious. I move onto another food stall and order pork dumplings served with sesame seeds and soya sauce that are heaven on my tastebuds.
An elderly gentleman is walking up and down the aisles chanting loudly and when I glance at the food stall proprietor quizzically, she makes the motion with her hand that he’s not mentally well. She shoos him along with a few words.
I walk through the maze of aisles and see bolts of fabric with sewing machines set up in the aisles. Freeze dried mangos and strawberries are mixed in with the fruit and veggie sellers. Pharmacies, vintage clothing and shoe shops, jewellery shops and it goes on and on. It’s a one-stop shopping complex.
The skies have opened and the humidity has shot up, so I get out my trusty mini umbrella and brace myself for the onslaught as I exit the market. I speed walk to my hotel and arrive dry from the waist up. Looks like it’ll be a movie afternoon. I fly out early in the morning to Ulaanbattar so will be off the grid for the next two weeks.
