{"id":2519,"date":"2019-06-26T14:21:41","date_gmt":"2019-06-26T06:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/?p=2519"},"modified":"2019-06-26T15:03:43","modified_gmt":"2019-06-26T07:03:43","slug":"korea-trip-2019-day-3-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/my-travels\/korea-trip-2019\/korea-trip-2019-day-3-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Korea Trip 2019 \u2013 Day 3-5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seoul is the largest city of Korea, followed by Busan. Jeju is a renowned island for tour visiting, but it is not a city rightly. By the
\nway, have you ever heard Military Demarcation Line (\u4e09\u516b\u7dda), which separate the republic of Korea (a.k.a South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a.k.a North Korea). To me, it sounds quite interesting that I can learn some Korean history from the local tour guide.<\/p>\n

The professional tour guide shared to us that the boundary line is defined well before \u5357\u5317\u97d3\u6230\u722d when the former Soviet Union and the USA
\narrived this peninsula.<\/p>\n

Now, the current South Korea is smaller than the North Korea though, the population in total is more than the north one, with around
\n51 billions. This country’s three sides are facing Japan, Taiwan and the Mainland China while there are four “gates” in Seoul – which are
\nnamed in the four direction – the East-, South-, West- and the North-gate.<\/p>\n

The speaking skill of the “\u963f just C” are exceptional, I have forgotten in what way he changed from the “history of \u4e09\u516b\u7dda” to the
\nfestivals that Korean citizen celebrate – “Traditional Chinese New Year?”, “Ching-Ming festival”, “dragon-boat festival” and “Mid-Autumn
\nfestival”. The last one mentioned is the most important in their culture. During the mid-autumn festival, it is not unusual to see them
\nwearing the traditional Korean clothes and they tend to go hometown to have gathering. In other word, please avoid to go Korean at this
\nfestival, otherwise you should expect a lot of closed shops.<\/p>\n

By demonstrating his communication skill, he shift the topic aging – “Have any one known the mascot of Korea?…Alright, let me give you
\nsome hints – not pig, not dragon.” What a humorous guide that I have ever seen.<\/p>\n

The mascot of Korea is bear as the dragon in the China. The myth is that bear and tiger wanted to be a human, provided that “they” have to
\neat raw garlic for 100 days, but only the bear could meet the target. After the bear transform to be the first human of Korea, she married
\nwith the son of the god and gave born to a baby called “\u592a\u541b”.<\/p>\n

Then, he continued the history and myths of Korea during the journey on the coach. In the past, there are “\u4e09\u570b” – \u9ad8\u53e5\u9e97, \u767e\u6fdf,\u65b0\u7f85.
\nLater, the country was unified as “\u9ad8\u9e97” and started having trading partnership with western countries – from that time on, people have
\nalready known \u9ad8\u9e97 (Korea).<\/p>\n

Speaking of Korea, the Korean Ceramic (\u9ad8\u9e97\u9676\u74f7 ) is famous, but Korean Ginseng (\u9ad8\u9e97\u4eba\u8518) seems to be more popular for some visitors,
\nperhaps it is because of its
\nfunction to our health. Now, the government have given instruction to the tour guide that they shall give introduction to us as well as
\nbring us to those outlet, they won’t force us buying though.<\/p>\n

Before the forming of “\u9ad8\u9e97”, ginseng (\u4eba\u8518) was not existing, but when more and more citizens learn the benefit of using “\u91ce\u8518” as an
\ningredient in meal, they have started to plant it broadly when is the time we have ginseng “\u4eba\u8518”. Now, believe it or not, most Korean
\nginseng is planted in the fields near the \u4e09\u516b\u7dda where the soil and environment is suitable for the growing. Be noticed that ginseng should
\nnot be planted under the sun or too much water. “\u68af\u7530\u7a2e\u6cd5” is the most common way to produce ginseng.<\/p>\n

Ginseng’s functional component are those enzymes. Perhaps you may have heard that “\u5343\u5e74\u4eba\u8518”, but it is not the best one, according to the
\ntour guide as well as the sales. Generally speaking, there are 6 types of ginseng in the market. The age from one to six years old. One
\nmore branch and five more leaves will develop in every additional growing year. So, a one years old ginseng should have one branch and five
\nleaves ; two years old should have two branches and ten leaves…<\/p>\n

In Korea, the one years old ginseng tend not to be sold and the best one is 6 years old ginseng. Also, the have developed a classification
\nsystem – “\u5929\u5730\u826f\u5207\u5c3e”, when \u5929 refers to 6 years old product and \u5730 refers to 5 years old product and so on. Moreover, we have been taught
\nthat “\u6c34\u8518\u6ef2\u9152; \u7d05\u8518\u71b1\u6c23\u8981\u770b\u9ad4\u8cea ; \u592a\u6975\u8518\u4e0d\u6703\u51fa\u53e3\u53ea\u6703\u5167\u92b7\uff0c\u4f46\u8001\u7b11\u4f73\u5b9c – \u97d3\u570b\u592a\u6975\u8518\u670937 \u7a2eenzyme\uff0c\u800c6\u5e74,\u65e2\u5929\u5b57\u592a\u6574\u8518\u66f4\u662f\u8518\u4e2d\u4e4b\u5bf6”. Three
\nmore important points are: 1) you should not have ginseng when you have a temperature. 2) \u767d\u863f\u767d\u4e0d\u8981\u8ddf\u8518\u6df7\u98df\uff0c\u5426\u5247\u7834\u6c23\u4f7f\u4e4b\u529f\u6548\u5931\u53bb\uff0c\u800c\u97d3\u570b
\n\u4eba\u590f\u5929\u98df\u4eba\u8518 (\u800c\u975e\u51ac\u5929) 3) “\u6b63\u8518” shall be shipped as check-in baggage.<\/p>\n

Enough! I think that I have relayed to much about his speech on ginseng, it is time to share some about the modern Seoul.<\/p>\n

Before I start the new topic about the modern city that I have just visited, do you know what is the national flower of Korea? The answer
\nis Mugunghwa (\u7121\u7aae\u82b1\/\u7261\u4e39), which has been beloved by the Korean people as a symbol of Korea. It carries the meaning of “flowers that
\nblooms for eternity and never dies”.<\/p>\n

Alright, now, let us learn something about Seoul and I will share some of my feeling about there.<\/p>\n

Seoul has an average temperature of 33-40 C in a typical summer. However, the air conditioning system in Korea suppose only to be opened
\nwhen temperature is at 25C or above while of which temperature should be controlled at or above 25C. Therefore, it is not unusual to hear
\nthat some visitors give complain about that.<\/p>\n

As a foreigner, we should noticed that there are 4 major regions divided in Seoul – \u6c5f\u897f (\u820a\u7684\u91d1\u84b2\u6a5f\u5834), \u6c5f\u5317 \uff08\u5e02\u653f\u5e9c\u53ca\u5e02\u4e2d\u5fc3), \u6c5f\u6771 and
\n\u6c5f\u5357. All these regions use the Han River (\u6f22\u6c5f) as a reference point. Now sure if you have heard the song or the terms “\u6c5f\u5357style” few
\nyears ago. Actually, \u6c5f\u5357\u5340 is the region among four where has lot of rich people and posh building.<\/p>\n

Through listening to the tour guide’s sharing, I also have learnt that more than a hundred of university in Korea. The top four are \u9996\u723e,
\n\u73fe\u4e16, \u9ad8\u9e97 and \u68a8\u82b1.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, citizen in Korea are not easy to find a decent job. It is particularly true if people don’t hold a degree. Few years ago, Hong
\nKong people might have heard that bring up a children is costing 4 million Hong Kong dollar. In Korea, it costs around 7 million (in HKD)
\nrecently. The expenditure for a child in an average year at uni is around 140 thousands (in HKD). Generally speaking, a tour guide can earn
\n20 thousands (in HKD) per month – you can imagine the burden there. However, parents have got to pay it since the degree is the threshold
\ncriteria to find a position in a better cooperate.<\/p>\n

Education background is not enough – Korean pay attention on the outlook. To me, this mindset is partly correct since I think that first
\nimpression is counted, but I cannot stand if we look thing from surface. Indeed, most citizen in Korea received plastic surgery – it’s part
\nof the culture.<\/p>\n

Happy time is always passing swiftly. To be honest, I cannot understand the moral values of my father – he is a miser and he acts miserly.
\nAnother non-perfect space is that my sister does not join this family trip – I cannot have my own photographer. I, however, am thankful
\nthat I can savor my time with my family.<\/p>\n

To me, it is also a great opportunity to wide my horizon! Although I had not learnt any Korean language. I enter the classroom and have
\nsome practice with my teachers there. People knows me might have already known that I enjoy learning some foregin language particular when
\nI am travelling. This time has no exception! In the past, I barely wrote on small paper, but I slightly change my way this time – I am
\ngoing to make it as part of my journey record, below are some of my notes:<\/p>\n

Welcome – \u63db(\u570b\u8a9e) yong hum me ta<\/p>\n

What do you want-
\n\u73e0 (\u570b\u8a9e) moon ha seat gag sim meet \u5bb6<\/p>\n

Hot – \u5f97cop ta
\nIce – \u5deecop ta<\/p>\n

Ice latte na \u83ef sim me dar<\/p>\n

\u98f2\u7ba1 – Buy there
\n\u5200 – \u958b
\n\u5dee – fork
\nSpoon – shot gar\u62ff<\/p>\n

Salt – \u68b3gum<\/p>\n

Key \u6c99 slim = \u53f8\u6a5f
\nOn door ra = \u5854\u5854\u7c73 = \u8a13\u5730<\/p>\n

Ha li o ha sa yo
\nHa sa yo \u662f\u656c\u8a9e<\/p>\n

Com sa ha me da
\nHa me da \u662f\u656c\u8a9e<\/p>\n

Ar \u8857\u5e02 – miss
\nAr draw\u5c4e – mr
\nAr \u8c6c\u5abd\/ \u8033more – aunt
\nAr \u8c6c\u516c – uncle<\/p>\n

\u5ec1\u7d19 – true \u652f
\n\u6c34 – mul \/ \u9727(\u570b\u8a9e\uff09
\n\u8acb\u7d66\u6211 – true say all<\/p>\n

\u706b – poor
\n\u7a0d\u70ba – \u4e2d\/\u91cd
\n\u66f4\u591a- tall<\/p>\n

\u975a\u5973 – \u4e00\u5305\u85e5 (\u570b\u8a9e\u97f3\uff09\/ yep \u6ce2\u55b2
\n\u975a\u4ed4 – \u7121\u6148\u9396\u55b2<\/p>\n

How much is it – \u6211 ma \u8036\u55b2
\n\u5e73d la? – \u6c99ge \u6c99ge yo
\n\u6d17\u624b\u9593 – \u5316\u599d\u5ba4 (\u570b\u8a9e\u97f3\u4fbf\u53ef)<\/p>\n

Where is – \u6211d\u723ayo<\/p>\n

\u540d\u7247 – Ming ham
\n\u6536\u64da – \u694a\u66f8\u8b49 (\u570b\u8a9e\u97f3\uff09<\/p>\n

Sorry – chur \u9b06ha me da\/ li han ha me da
\n\u4e0d\u597d\u610f\u601d – \u8d85\uff08\u570b\u8a9e\uff09 geer yo
\nCan u help me – \u6735\u82b1 ju say yo
\n\u7f8e\u5473\u7684 – \u99acseat da
\n\u6211\u8981\u7d50\u5e33 – \u9a0e\u6c99ni yo\/\u9a0e\u6c99hea jay yo
\n\u6211\u98df\u98fd\u4e86 – \u67f4mo \u54e5 \u67ef\u5c4eni da<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

I am not intellegent enough to learn language, but learning some in foreign country sounds to be fairly intriguing! Although I go there
\nthrough a tour package to Korea, I have free time to explore the city. I have learnt few words that could be quite useful:
\n\ub9e4\uc6b4 \u8fa3
\n\ub098\ud2b8\ub968 \u9209
\n\ub2f9\ub958 \u7cd6\u4efd<\/p>\n

\uc18c\uace0\uae30\/\uc1e0\uace0\uae30 Beef
\n\uc0c8\uc6b0 Shrimp
\n\uc6b0\uc720 Milk
\n\ub2ed\uace0\uae30 Chicken
\n\ub3fc\uc9c0 \uace0\uae30 Pork
\n\ub545\ucf69 Peanut
\n\uac8c Crab<\/p>\n

\uc6d0\uc0b0\uc9c0 \u539f\u7522\u5730
\n\ub300\ud55c\ubbfc\uad6d Republic of Korea
\n\ud55c\uad6d \u97d3\u570b
\n\uad6d\ub0b4\uc0b0 \/ \uad6d\uc0b0 \u570b\u5167
\n\ud55c\uad6d\uc0b0 \u97d3\u570b\u7522
\n\uc11c\uc6b8 Seoul<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, it is quite common to find these words on the food label. Rightly, you might need these words when you are going to have shopping or make an order in local restaurant.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

Recent years, I feel happiness that I can have a regular trip. Now, when I go to a new place, I have started to compare the city to my hometown or other cities that I have been. This time, after I have stayed here for few days. I found that places here are similar to the Taiwan in certain degree, perhaps both have been colonized by the Japanese for years – you can feel the color of Japan – the Japanese style. No offense, I have to emphasize that the older citizen, including the tour guide, don’t really like the Japan because of the history.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

Back to the sharing about the city, what could be the most visiting place as a visitor or even a citizen? Convenience store! In Seoul, you can see lot of “CU” and “GS25”. Of course, you can find the 7-11. However, it is quite interesting that you can only find the Americano or Espresso if you want a cup of fresh coffee. I mean, in Taiwan or Hong Kong, you might find latte in some stores, but I have not seen that in Seoul.
\nApart from pretty girls, ginseng, plastic surgery, cosmetic commodities are famous in Korea. This time, I can see quite a lot branches of a brand named “OLIVE YOUNG”. I evaluate it as the “\u842c\u5be7” or “\u5c48\u81e3\u6c0f” in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

This trip in Seoul, I visited various coffee shops as well. Somehow, it is one of the goals in my bucket list. I reviewed my expenditure list – I have visited more than 10 coffee shops but I have only drunk 8 cups of latte in these 5 days. Some of these are small but cozy cafe while others are chain-store. All these 8 cups of coffee get different marks but there is only one small cafe demonstrated the latte art on my cup of joe. I feel quite disappointed but I discover other interesting things. First, I found the smoking room in a small cafe that I visited. This is what a thoughtful idea. Second, I found that Starbucks seems not to be the only chain coffeehouse in Seoul – there are “Angel-in-us”, “Caffe Bene”, “EDIYA coffee”, “Paris Baguette”, “Tom n toms coffee” etc. Personally, I give the Angel-in-us the highest score in terms of the coffee quality. Third, I am f***ing happy that I can find “night club” that suit me – there are quite a lot of 24 opening coffeehouse in Seoul. You cannot only see and chat with those hot lady (provided that you know their language), it is also a place for designer and student – what a cool place for visitor as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last but not least, I have almost forgotten to share the “T-money card” to you. “T-money card” is an IC card\/smart card\/chip card (whatever you call it), which is non-refundable. It is used in public transportation and convenience store – it is something similar to the Octopus (in Hong Kong), EasyCard (in Taiwan), Oyster Card (in London); Indeed, most of the chains coffeehouse have their own member card – the concept similar to the one of Starbucks card.<\/p>\n

All good things must come to an end, but we made many good memories.<\/p>\n

\u65c5\u884c\u591a\u4e86, \u81ea\u5df1\u4ea6\u505a\u904e\u822a\u7a7a\u696d\u5730\u4e0a\u524d\u7dda, \u73fe\u5728\u66f4\u662f\u670d\u52d9\u884c\u696d\u7684\u524d\u7dda\u4e00\u54e1, \u6211\u5341\u5206\u660e\u767d\u5b89\u5168\u662f\u6211\u5011\u9996\u8981\u7d66\u5ba2\u4eba\u7684, \u4f46\u8981\u505a\u5230\u57fa\u672c\u5916, \u9084\u9644\u4e0a\u984d\u5916\u7684\u771f\u8aa0, \u7d30\u5fc3\u9019\u537b\u662f\u6709\u5de5\u4f5c\u71b1\u8aa0\u624d\u505a\u5230, \u6211\u5341\u5206\u5341\u5206\u611f\u8b1d\u6211\u9019\u56de\u9047\u4e0a\u4e00\u7d44\u5c08\u696d\u7684\u5718\u968a – \u661f\u6668\u65c5\u904a. \u7576\u7136\u6211\u4e0d\u5f97\u4e0d\u591a\u8b1d\u524d\u516c\u53f8\u7684\u540c\u4ec1\u53ca\u4e00\u73ed\u6a5f\u7d44\u4eba\u54e1. \u6211\u8981\u52aa\u529b! \u9019\u662f\u76ee\u6a19 \u9019\u662f\u614b\u5ea6 \u9019\u662f\u9019\u6b21\u65c5\u7a0b\u7684\u7d42\u7d50.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Seoul is the largest city of Korea, followed by Busan. Jeju is a renowned island for tour visiting, but it is not a city rightly. By the way, have you ever heard Military Demarcation Line (\u4e09\u516b\u7dda), which separate the republic of Korea (a.k.a South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a.k.a North Korea). Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2528,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-korea-trip-2019"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2519"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions\/2547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tommykwan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}