Had my first mediocre day in Seoul today, due to only a few hours of restless sleep so decided to treat myself for dinner and get a pie to fix my mood. To any kiwis that are currently living in Seoul we have Jesters!!!!!!!
http://www.seouleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/P1200335-720082.jpg
I wont keep this secret to myself here are the directions:
Seoul, Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 127-102-797-8290Directions: Go out Itaewon Station Exit 3 and walk straight 5 minutes.
And omg it was so good! Had a good ole steak and cheese and decided to go for the topper option. Nothing better than a pie topped with mashed potato, mushy peas and gravy. I added a huge amount of tomato ketchup and ate in silence enjoying every mouth full. I so desperately wanted to get an apple, cinnamon and custard one for dessert but alas I am dirt broke and have to live on only $5 a day until pay day! In fact this splurge means that I have to walk home tomo because I can't afford the bus fare. It's all good though because Mum sent me over my kicks so I'll be sweet!
http://www.jesterskorea.com/images/SUBS_LAYOUT_000/goods/topper.png
After licking the plate clean I decided to check out some shops as I didn't want to go home and sit by myself. Found a few clothes shops and really liked the fashion. Lots of knits, lace and pretty patterns. I'm going to be fine finding tops but all the jeans and skirts wouldn't have even fitted one of my legs. The large was a kiwi small! The girls are so tiny here. I saw a XXXXXS!
Found the body shop and spent a long time, spraying, smelling and spending my next pay check in my head. After spritzing with my new favourite fragrance "Cherry Blossom" I felt is was time to start the 20 minute walk home. It had got bitterly cold as the sun had disappeared so I pulled up my scarf, put on my gloves and with my head down battled the rush hour crowd.
All went smoothly for the first 10 minutes until I heard a shrieking high pitched whistle and looked up to be faced by lines and lines of police officers. Hundreds of armed men with shields and batons.
http://photo.phyang.org/image/seoul_riot_police.jpg
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera but this is basically what I was faced with.
They were lined up in army formation and were marching side by side in time to the leader. Up until now I had only seen the odd police officer here and there, so this was a huge surprise. I looked to the middle of the intersection and there were police directing traffic and along the sidewalks were buses upon buses that were labeled police.
So automatically my mind goes into overdraft, oh god its a war, a terrorist attack, omg all of the prime ministers are attending the Summit Nuclear Security conference down the road, has there been a bomb scare. North Korea is invading. Ok calm down. I look at the nearest person and ask what's happening. Stupid Sammie! this guy stares at me blankly obviously confused by my language. Shit I think to myself imagine if it is something big and no one can communicate to me what is happening. I suddenly realise that the general public are going on with their own business and do not look freaked out. I keep walking desperately searching for a white face who I can talk to. Keep walking. Bingo "Excuse me... what is happening? Should I be worried?" The American smiles and simply says Obama is just down the road Korea are putting up a huge Police presence so he feels safe.
Well I'm glad you feel safe Obama because I nearly had a damn heart attack!