Seoul Seeking

Aaaaah.....the 'Seoul of Asia'.....there is so much to do! And living a 'mere' 1 1/2 hours away by subway, most weekends seem to lead here. And the last few weekend have produced some interesting finds...

....Like yesterdays stroll in the Yongsan red light district. There are numerous prostitution areas around Korea, usually situated near bus or subway stations to maximise business, but Yongsan is considered one of it's most prominent. It's similar, if not a lot smaller, to Amsterdam, as it works on a window shopping basis: girls sat in brightly lit windows showing what they've got. Korea recently announced a major crack-down on prostitution, planning to demolish and rebuild the red light districts, and a protest again this decision last January left 6 people killed when police 'surpressed' the protest. Walking through the area yesterday was wierdly ghost-like. Almost half of the windows have been smashed and covered with red tape, many of the buildings were abandoned, but then a few of the premises were fighting to stay alive with its bright lights and solitary girls sat in the windows. A police car was parked at the end of the road with lights flashing and policemen talking, but they didn't look in any hurry to stop the girls working. The police turning a blind eye it seems.

Only a stones throw away, and a little less risqué, but involving just as much nudity.....was the huge Dragon Hill Spa where we spent a good 3 hours relaxing and swimming and snoozing and playing and eating. This sauna is built over 7 floors, some communal, some same-sex, and has everything from virtual horse-riding to outdoor steaming jacuzzis to communal sleeping areas. On entering, you are given a pair of pajamas to wear - one size fits all, man and woman, and once inside, you can't but help feel part of a wierd pajama wearing commune. Even the naked areas are fun, even if you do get lost and get pushed by old Korean women trying to stop you from bursting through the doors into the men's section and giving them the shock of their lives. Well worth the 10,000 Won (£5) to get in. Or that's what they'd have thought if we'd have actually burst through. 

The artsy side of Seoul can be found north of Anguk Station, where there are art galleries literally every few metres, all of which (I came across) were free. There was some excellent contemporary art which illustrated Korea in various different ways but each seemingly spot on.

Thomas Struth exhibition, Hyundai Gallery

Even nicer, the galleries are all in the Samcheongdong area, which remains 'old-school Korea' with it's low-rise Hanok buildings instead of the high-rise apartments bollocks....sorry, blocks, you usually see everywhere else. This area was saved from the demolition ball in an attempt to preserve the traditional architecture, and it feels an age away from Seoul's current towers. Dotted with tea-rooms and galleries, it makes a very nice afternoons wandering.

Reads 'Korea'

So what else can I find in Seoul over the coming year? Looks like I need to do some more Seoul-Seeking....  ;-)