Ransom and Cholong and our favorite-named refreshment
Big city. Really big city! We slept till almost noon local time; after being up for almost 30 hours straight, that's not surprising. Had an incredible buffet meal in the hotel (JW Marriott) and then were picked up by Cholong, soon to be one of Ransom's students, for a trip to the N Seoul Tower atop Namsam Mountain in central Seoul. From the observation deck one begins to understand just how large this city is.
From ground level one gets another perspective on just how big this city is as you crawl along the traffic-choked streets. Geez! But I must say, from my very limited, one-day perspective, drivers seem much more courteous than in the Northeast US, and far less likely to lean on their horns.
After a stop at an underground shopping mall to get me a cheap watch -- I had forgotten to bring one -- we came back to the hotel for free appetizers -- dinner really -- and drinks. That was it for the night.
It's too early to confirm this impression, but I think this is not a place I would come to alone. It feels very safe and is very western, but almost all the signs are in Korean only and I can't imagine walking from my hotel a mile or two and finding whatever it is I was looking for -- something I've done in many European countries easily -- and then finding my way back. I am glad to have Korean hosts who will take us anywhere we want to go.
Today we might take in Gyeongbok Palace and perhaps Everland tomorrow, home to the world's steepest wooden coaster, so they say.
I have never been to Korea but hope to someday. I fear for the country because of the lunatic up north - it's been said there are 10,000 artillery pieces posied to shred Seoul in the event of a return to open conflict. Let's hope cooler heads prevail. -Bill Root
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