Alright, kiddos. This is gonna be a long one. The past month has literally flown by. Work has really taken off- I'm currently playing a teleportation obsessed nerd in our touring show and getting ready to embody the dramatic role of Jafar's oblivious parrot sidekick in our mainstage production, Aladdin. Between my scavenge for turkey on Thanksgiving (thank you Costco) and energized work schedule, I managed to take advantage of the changing season and do some more exploring.
I feel like I'm really beginning to understand and appreciate Seoul as a city. It is wild and trendy and urban and natural all at the same time. I've never lived in a place that has such a deep and long history yet feels so modern and edgy. The architecture never ceases to amaze me. Traditional gates and hanok style structures are nestled between skyscrapers and design plazas. You can look left and see flora and fauna beyond your imagination, only to look right and find flashy strips and neon signs. Example A being the following photos I took at Yeouido Park- a sweet little spot in the center of the Yeouido Island, just off the Han River on the southern side of Seoul.
I also walked along and across the Han River- the expansive body of water that divides Seoul into two parts. I couldn't get past the views of buildings and mountains competing for the spotlight, superimposed on top of each other as if the entire image was photoshopped.
I clearly spent a lot of time here...
And then there is the manmade river, Cheonggyecheon, a beautiful stream that runs through downtown Seoul. It reminded me of the Highline in New York (more in purpose than aesthetic, although that is similar too) because it seemed to represent a space where locals and tourists alike could all come together to get a little taste of something natural while still being in the very center of it all. I've actually visited twice so far- once at night for the annual lantern festival when the stream is decorated with all kinds of intricate and unique lanterns.
Till next time!