CEBU, Philippines - Although it’s not the first country that comes to mind when you think of travel around Asia, there’s no denying that a growing number of people is itching at the soles and (im)patiently waiting for the piso promotion of one budget airline to travel to the land of Kimchi, of famous brands in electronics and cars - South Korea.
If you’re interested in traveling to South Korea, having a well-thought-out itinerary is a MUST because there are lots of places in Seoul that are famous among tourists. Itaewon, the most tourist-friendly place in Seoul, the Namsan Tower, the Gwanghamun Palace, and the Korea National Museum are just few of them.
Once you have an itinerary drawn out, make sure to you have these with you:
1.LOTS OF POCKET MONEY
I’d like to say this right off the bat: prices in Korea for food and hotel accommodations are more expensive than in the Philippines but are cheaper than in the United States and London. A meal costs around the equivalent of P200, while a motel room - which is cheaper than a hotel’s - costs the equivalent of P2,600 per night.
Drop down cost for the train is P40 and P4 every hundred meters. Even if you don’t do the math, it’s already obvious that Korea is NOT for budget travelers because although you can save money on plane tickets, it’s impossible to get away from the prices of food and accommodations.
2. ACQUIRED TASTE FOR SPICY FOOD
Korean food is characteristically spicy and sometimes, pungent. On the whole, Korean food is not bad but it’s not the best in the world, either, although it’s one of the healthiest.
You would think that kimchi is the staple dish but actually it’s a side dish that’s meant to be eaten with meat and fish items. If you’re unable to eat spicy food, there are many Chinese and Japanese restaurants, as well as fast food joints where you can grab a grub. (Yes, we have Mc Donald’s, KFC and Burger King in Korea.)
3. KOREAN WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY
Even if you’re only staying for a few days in South Korea, it’s a must to learn a few Korean words, unless you want to look like an idiot asking where the bathroom is. Remember that toilet is hwa-jang-sil in Korean. If you need to ask for directions, make sure to ask people who are in their twenties since they tend to have better English skills than older Koreans.
4. SHOES MADE FOR WALKING
The Gwanghamun Palace and the Korean National Museum are big and spacious. Walking (and protracted walking) in and around them is part of the tourist experience. So, unless you’re used to walking long walks in your high heels, bring some comfortable shoes with you to Korea.
5. A GOOD SENSE OF DIRECTION
The best way to travel in and around Seoul is by train. While I have no complaints about the speed and regularity of the train schedule, I have my gripes about the layout of their train stations.
The train system in Korea is divided into different lines, from Line 1 to Line 9 and in order to get from Point A to Point B, sometimes you need to transfer to different lines. You could get lost in-between transfers (I know I did - several times), so my advice is to remember you tracks so you can retrace your steps in case you get lost.
Also, take time to look around for signages. They’re your best friend inside the train station.
The writer has been living in South Korea since 2008. If you have any questions related to South Korea, you can email her at danessa@gmail.com