…when you visit the same tourist sites over and over again. Today we visited Gyungbok Palace in Seoul, this time with my parents. We visited on Chuseok Day, the day of the harvest moon when the moon is at its fullest. It’s the third time we’ve been to Gyungbok Palace since we arrived in Korea 1.5 years ago. Earlier this week, we visited the Korean Folk Village for the third time. On Wednesday, my wife and parents went on the Korean DMZ tour; I stayed home with my son because I will wait for the next opportunity to visit it again when my cousin arrives in early November for a two week visit. When he comes to Korea, he will undoubtedly want to see many of the sites we’ve previously visited. Visiting twice is fine–the third time gets a little old when you add in the cost and time commitment involved with seeing something you’ve already visited once as a tourist.
That’s why locals rarely go see the famous sites close to home. Locals usually visit once on their own and then save repeat trips for visits with out-of-town guests. Thank goodness we’re leaving Korea soon, before we visit local tourist attractions for the four or five times!
How nice… When you updated, I am getting an e mail message.
Have a nice day,
Zeynep.
Are you saying you have seen everthing in Korea??? 🙂
-Wade H.
Hello
I found you in Zeynep’s space and wow what an interesting life you and your family lead. Am most envious. Found your tips on writing interesting blogs quite insightful and more reason to keep blogging. Hehehe.
Enjoy your mission
Mares
I WAS STATIONED AT YONGSAN (A-F-K-N) DURING THE 80’S (84-86/87-89) AND SEEING YOUR PHOTOS BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY NIGHT. I’VE VISITED ABOUT HALF THE PLACES YOU SHOWED, INCLUDING LOTTE WORLD WHEN IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD CORRESPOND VIA E-MAIL TO BRING BACK SOME MEMORIES; AS WELL AS SOME PHOTOS THAT WOULD BE OF A PERSONAL NATURE FOR MYSELF. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP AN OLD SOLDIER; I’VE TRIED GOING THROUGH A-F-N KOREA BUT IT SEEMS AS IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO HELP A FELLOW ALUMNI. PLEASE-PLEASE SAY THAT YOU CAN HELP. SHAUN M CASEY
Hi there! I think I added my comment to the wrong spot so here goes again. It must be wonderful living the life of a FSO. I was a Marine Security Guard in the late 80’s and loved every second of it. I’ve always dreamed of living over seas agian.
Believe me – I know where you’re coming from! I was in international business for 3 years with a majority of my trips going to South Korea. During all these trips a portion of what we had to do was "show" people around and get them familiar with the culture, which means all the Palaces, Folk Villages and DMZ Tours you could imagine. Luckily in year three I encountered a woman who would eventually be my wife and left the company. 🙂 Here’s what I can say though – if you haven’t been to the East Sea and seen the massive cruise ship on the top of a cliff that runs along the beach, well, then you NEED to go! Especially for an American this can be a sight that will boggle the mind. If you haven’t been to Jeju Island, GO! I happened to think Busan was a cool place, but that’s also because I’m a photographer and there are so many photo opts in this locale. I haven’t been everywhere, but I can tell you there is a whole lot more than the Folk Villages and Palaces that surround Seoul. Have you been to a NANTA performance? Hilarious! GO!
If you want pictures, send me an email and I’d be glad to send a few over.
Take care and enjoy Korea – my wife is there as we write, visiting her parents.
JW
wright_jeffrey@hotmail.com
Hello. I was reading your blog and I see that you work in the US Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Can you please, help me? My mother and father were married at the US Embassy in Seoul around May or June of 1965 and I am trying to get a copy of their marriage license. My mother needs it to apply for her social security benefits. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Much thanks, Jeanne.