Comfort women statue

I was really moved by this simple protest across from the Japenese Embassy. It represents the suffering of Korean women who endured the captivity of sexual slavery during WW2. Most of these were under the age of 18. Someone left a small pair of shoes. Thinking about who left them and what that meant brought tears to my eyes. There are students camped out in the rain to protect the statue from being removed by the government since it is quite controversial and disliked by the Japanese officials in Seoul

Tongin Market

After the rain let up, we made our way to the market to eat lunch. Each student purchased replicas of old coins which they exchanged with the vendors in the market for various foods to add to their lunch trays.

Gyeongbukgong Palace

We survived a torrential downpour while touring the palace. Ran to the safety of the National Contempory Korean History Museum.

Exploring Hongdae.

Dalkgalbi for our first group meal

Spicy but delicious

First meals in Korea

A few of my meals in Seoul. Lunch at the market, breakfast croqette with cute coffee, and first time trying 호벅 죽, a pumpkin porridge that reminded me of my butternut sqash soup, but I don't serve mine with kimchi.

Hongdae on Friday night

Despite being up for 20+ hours i could not help but explore the bustle of Hongdae.

There were so many people. Wow - I forget what this looks like. So I see lots of new things here. And, in addition to the many street musicians (Hongdae is the largest area for buskers in Seoul) I also saw a bunch of groups that looked more like dancers than straight musicians. Budding K-Pop stars - see the guys above. This street is near your hotel - across from the “music” street is the “fashion” street - so, of course, I thought of Lauren. She will geek out here. I was pretty tired though and went back to the hotel early to go to sleep. Talked to Eric at 2 in the morning! Cause I was wide awake, but went back to sleep. There were some funny things - I seriously saw a women walking a sheep on a leash into a cafe last night.  No, I did not have anything to drink - it was real.