When will I start taking blogging seriously? The answer is: Never. It's pretty funny how I always ghost on this blog for months and then I get back on it with temporary enthusiasm to blog seriously - talking about how I will try to blog weekly and then I disappear once again and the next thing you know, oh it's a new year. The cycle is disappointing. I finally understand what I lack of - consistency. That's the same issue that I have with YouTube but I think I should talk about that in another post. Now that I have some time to spare (I'm on my semester break), I want to write about my trip to Seoul this year.
At Ewha Womans University, taken by Sofiya
Seoul. It was such a bittersweet trip for me. I don't know if I should open up about it but I do want to let it all out since this is my blog anyway. So, I apologize if I end up confusing you with this post. Also, the pictures would most probably be jumbled up, not according to timeline because I don't think I'll actually be talking about the places that I visited and what I did etc. I guess, this post tells a story about my emotions during the trip. I clearly don't have a format for this so I'm just going to wing it.
Before I start off, this Seoul trip was under my University's outbound program. Basically, each batch must go overseas to do program as such and my classmates chose to go to Seoul. Sadly, because I went there two years ago, I got elected to be the Director of the program but hey, I really liked the job - planning the trip and taking care of my classmates, it was such a rewarding experience. While everyone gets excited for the trip, I got really stressed out and anxious when I think of it. As much as I wanted to have fun, my priority was to give an experience for my classmates that they would never forget. I really hope they had fun and thought of this trip as special as I felt it was for me.
Planeers (my batch) during our Talk with Seoul Metropolitan Government
(Had an in depth talk with how Seoul came about in the eyes of the local authority. Learning about Seoul, its history and the story behind its practice of urban planning was really eye opening. South Koreans are definitely great thinkers - they have development plans in what Seoul would be like in 100 years. 100! So much details being thought out in shaping the city while prioritizing healthy and modern living with its geographical attributes and their people in mind.)
Preparing for the trip was supposed to feel like a hassle but having my best friend, Adeeb as my assistant, it was actually fun. I really liked our dynamic when we're working; apart from him being really easy to work with, we were total opposites that made things work. I would say I'm very strict and determined which may sometimes scare people but Adeeb, on the other hand, is more of a people's person. I tell him what I need from our classmates and he delivers the message in the most angelic way to get them cooperative. I do give him side-eyes when people think it's his idea or when people ask him questions cause hey, I'm the brain here, he's just my PR.
Unfortunately, our lecturer couldn't go with us to our 10-day trip to Seoul due to reasons so it was all on us. As much as I should be happy with the news, I got more anxious thinking about how I had to be responsible towards 25 persons' well-being for the next 10 days. Everyday in Seoul, I prayed that nothing bad would happen to anyone. We had one issue (our friend got lost in Dongdaemun) but other than that, everything else went smoothly. Thank God!
I can't even tell you how much I love Seoul. The weather, the food, the places - I felt that I belonged there. My skin was hella great too. It was about to be Spring by the time we got there and we got to experience the transition between Winter to Spring. I knew that I should be happy and try to enjoy the trip with my friends. I did most of the time but everyday, there will always be one moment (actually, more than one) that I would feel sad.
My group at our site visit, Insadong.
(If you're a lover of art and want to visit Art Galleries, they have a bunch here!)
You see, I had that feeling where I wanted to go home but at the same time, I didn't want to go home. I also had this feeling, whenever I went to places with my classmates, all I thought of was going back to my room and just cry. Oh yeah, by the way, I shared a room with other tourists and not my friends because the two other rooms were already full. I'm the most considerate and selfless Director ever (jk I needed personal space). I was going through the process of ending a relationship with my past boyfriend. At that time, I didn't know we would end so I thought that maybe when I come back, we could work things out. It felt like the longest 10 days ever, I desperately wanted to go home. I just knew that something was off with my relationship and we weren't talking like how we used to. I felt very shitty, you know? I've waited 3 years for this trip with my friends, only wanting to go home and just cry. My family knew that I felt sad but I didn't tell them until the last day. All I could ever think of was hugging my mom.
My best friends, however, they knew what I was going through. Even when I didn't tell them, they were being so annoying - knocking on my door, texting and calling me, trying to drag me out every single time I had the chance of being alone with my thoughts because they know that all I was going to do was cry. At first, I didn't want to join them but I'm glad that I did. Sofiya, Nina and Adeeb, they really looked after me. While I was busy taking care of everyone else, they took care of me even though they invaded my space (rude!). I had countless times where Sofiya and Nina just barged into my room and saw me ugly crying. It was tough, I had to hide my sadness in front of everyone else - I felt like bursting keeping it all in but with them, I could just be myself, you know? Anyway, me being an emotional wreck made me closer to them. I'm so thankful to have them in my life.
Me, Sofiya and Nina in front of Seoul Central Masjid wearing matching socks
(We dropped by the mosque to do some cleaning for our community service!)
Had Halal Korean food with Adeeb at Eid, Itaewon
(I think we first bonded through Korean food. I treated him Mr. Dakgalbi as his birthday present and it changed him forever, you're welcome!)
We had a lot of free time there so it really felt like a holiday. I spent most of the time eating and walking. I really spent most of my money on food, it was crazy. Anyway, others wanted to shop and I just wanted to go places that I didn't have the chance to go to during my last trip. I thought of going alone but it turns out that Adeeb wanted to go to the same places so we ended up going together. At first, I felt very awkward because the places we went to were filled with romantic couples and then you have me, who was crying 24/7 about my failed relationship. He didn't talk much, I felt like I was talking to myself sometimes but all in all, I really liked his company. Also he saw me falling asleep in the train, that was the most embarrassing moment in my life - I wish I could delete that from my memory. There were so many places that made me feel in awe. The places I wanted to go to, they really did not disappoint. I regret not going to Gyeonggi though, I hope I can go hiking there one day!
Outfit deets // Cap: Insadong, Mesh top: Bershka, Top: Mom's, Shorts: Livberty, Pants: H&M, Boots: Timberland, Jacket: Zara //
(This photo was taken in Myeongdong. For a city girl, this place made me feel very close to home. I went here so many times just to eat the street food and enjoy my favourite comfort food at Busan-Jib restaurant.)
Sofiya and I at Stylenanda Pink Hotel, Myeongdong - managed to get myself a pair of earrings!
Nina looking like a princess in her Hanbok @ National Folk Museum of Korea
Had some fun at a magical place called Lotte World!
If you're wondering, we broke up the day I landed. Maybe there was a reason why everything fell into place the way it did. If I didn't go to Seoul, maybe I took the break up pretty badly but I'm okay. And everything is okay.
View of Seoul city from Namsan Seoul Tower
(City lights at night make me feel so many things, good things. It's probably one of the best view to look at when you're in Seoul. I don't like light pollution but damn, Seoul is most beautiful at night. It gives me so much romantic feels with a tad feel of loneliness.)
Before I end this post, I guess I'll tell you my favourite spot of all time in Seoul. Cheonggyecheon Stream. Other than its history and how it came to be, that place really makes me feel a lot of things. I was there with my brother, Dani during the protest in 2016 (coincidentally) and when I came to Seoul again, it just made me want to go back there, again and again. This time, I managed to walk really far. I was there because I was sad but I left that place feeling so happy, especially on the final night. I don't know how to describe it but it's a special place for me. If you want to go there, start walking from Gwanghwamun station, with hot chocolate in your hands, at night with a great company and I promise, you'll have a great time.
Well, that's it. I'm sorry if you wanted to know more about Seoul if you plan to travel there and this post didn't meet your expectations. You can always ask me personally and I'll be happy to help!
Till then, have a great week!
