I have always lived in a smaller city and NEVER had to use public transportation. In Korea where so many people go far places all the time. During the fall I took three small trips outside of Seoul (not counting Jeju). I don't know why but seeing the cities outside of Seoul makes me feel so much more at home. Seoul is amazing but something about it feels cold.
When I first went to Suwon, a mid-sized city an hour and a half south of Seoul with a historic fortress and palace! My roommate Kimberly had done two presentations on the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and told me all of the histories on the way there and while we were walking around. She is always like my personal tour guide in and out of Seoul. When we arrived mid-day we walked all along the fortress walls that were surrounded by city life. Here you can be standing on a 250-year-old fortress and see skyscrapers and cars drive by. We walked around half of the wall and then entered into the palace. The palace was like a maze to me but it had exhibits and information in each area that was very cool (other palaces we have seen did not have anything inside). We spent the hottest part of the day in the palace wondering how they lived back 250 years ago. The story of this specific palace is that it was built in honor of the late crown prince when his son became king. His crown prince was killed by being locked in a rice chest because he acted very irrationally (now suspected to be bipolar disorder), it was his own father that gave the order and he was locked in the rice chest for about a week.
We later got some famous beef rib barbeque that was some of the best meat I have ever had and the side dishes were amazing. We of course did not know what we were doing so the very kind server helped us cook the meat to perfection! We ended the night looking at the sunset over the fortress walls going down between the tall buildings.
The trip to Suwon was one of the best days I have had, but just got beat by my trip to Gangcheon Rail Park and Nami island. At the beginning of November, Kimberly and I decided we needed to finally do two outdoor things before it got cold. Nami island is a popular tourist destination, but we had seen a beautiful video of a rail park. These were two hours away on the subway. The rail park is an abandoned train line that they put carts on it with two or four seats. We paid $35 for the two seats and enjoyed the ride. The highlight is the amazing view of the mountains and the northern Han river. The other fun thing was the four tunnels with various themes, some played loud music and had lights and bubbles. Kimberly and I laughed very hard and the pedaling was not even difficult. After we finished the rail bike you get a quick snack stop and we got hot cocoa in the cold morning and hopped on the romance train! This was the part that brings you back into town. When most people rushed over to the shuttle bus to return to their cars, Kimberly and I walked around town and took many photos. The town was definitely a past tourist destination, but it was completely deserted when we entered. The town almost reminded me of Nebraska. I think it's the trees, I know that seems like a strange thing to say but I can always remember the lined neighborhood streets or my home campus turning beautiful fall colors. Here when we were in the mountains of Korea the trees were vibrant and everywhere.
After leaving the Rail park we went to Nami Island. This Island is an island actually in the middle of a river! It is the perfect destination for the fall time and photos! To get to the island you have two options ferry boat or zipline! We took a one-minute zip line to the island and went 80 miles per hour over the river. This only cost $40 for the zipline, ferry ride back, and entrance to the island. Nami Island is full of different trees and flowers and animals. The yellow leaves were falling down over our heads and there were strings of lights lighting the paths. Kimberly and I relaxed and walked around for a few hours then decided to get our FAVORITE Korean snack, hotteok!! Hotteok is a pan-fried doughy treat that is filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, and seeds. It is so warm and tasty, wow I really want some right now.... Sadly the closest Hotteok stand is a 20 min walk and since it is now very cold the journey is strenuous.
We were able to leave the island a bit after a beautiful fall sunset through the colorful leaves and get some of the famous Korean food in the area. The specialty of this area is Dak Galbi which directly translates to chicken ribs, but it is actually spicy stir-fried chicken. You cook it on the table with cabbage, red pepper sauce, rice cakes, and sweet potato. It is not my favorite cut of chicken meat, there is lots of fat on it but I really enjoy the dish. I have been forced to get used to spicy food in Korea so now when I return home I think I will find myself missing it.
Kimberly and I took the long subway back home and fell asleep right away after walking and traveling all day long. I am so happy that I am able to go places that are a bit off of the map with my roommate Kimberly. I didn't want to be the exchange student that come to Seoul to go to parties and bars. I really wanted to come here and be able to do things that are one-of-a-kind, experiences that I can take back and remember instead of regret. I really love Seoul, but going out of Seoul SUCCESSFULLY and being able to take strides by myself makes me feel so fulfilled!