Chase A. Wolf's

Archive for the ‘South Korea’ Category

      Chase’s Log 2.2.2010  [Note:  The Home Office has been nagging me about sending more photos.  A lot.  “But,” I’ve  protested, “I’m not a travel journalist – I’m just a regular guy traveling as part of developing a new business concept.”  But they’re not having any of it, so going forward, I’ll be posting more photos throughout my journey.]

     Woke up at the Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul the next morning, reeking of garlic.  Normally, this would puzzle me, but I remembered where I was and my meal of the previous night – and chuckled.  Feeling rested and wonderful, I did a little work, checked with the Home Office and then set out for the Namdaemun Market. 

     My destination was probably a ten minute walk from the hotel, but it was raining and cold, so I grabbed a cab.  The driver (on a meter, of course) gave me a splendid and unrequested tour of Seoul – while I frantically pointed to my map and the other side of the river where I was supposed to be going.  He just kept nodding and smiling at me.  25 USD and 45 minutes later he dropped me off at Namdaemun Market.

Seoul: Namdaemun Market

     Namdaemun Market is a warren of streets for shopping – like a flea market in the U.S., but also with interior areas for shoppers to make selections.  The air was brisk and everyone was hustling, looking, touching, and haggling.  A few arguments over price here and there, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves – which is what good shopping should be about. Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 2.1.2010.  Following my near-death experience on the flight over from Tokyo and the hotel mix-up upon arrival, I found a chance to collect myself at the hotel bar before setting out to explore Seoul.

     Curious about the high-end retail in the city, I strolled over to “COEX” – the business/shopping district.  Very interesting – not a lot of name stores but many, many small independent shops with loads of cool stuff.  But it was the layout of the stores that I found curious – wide storefronts, but very shallow – not at all what you typically find in the States.  Still, it looked like a Western-style shopping mall and I was in search or more colorful retail experiences. 

COEX Shopping Center

      However, having not eaten since Tokyo and with nothing but a couple of vodka martinis in me, I was reminded by my surley stomach that I needed solid sustenance.  Quite right. 

      Recommendations and directions later, I found myself at Marohwajeck, a traditional Korean style restaurant.  Doing as directed by the hostess, I took off my shoes and settled onto some comfortable floor pillows. Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.30.2010.  Our plane lifted off from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport en route to Seoul, South Korea, and I absently muttered a traditional silent prayer to the Gods of Air Travel Safety - relaxing in the certainty that the flight would be a dull, couple hour hop.  Closing my eyes, I smiled and pondered the drink cart that would soon be headed my way.

     After a few minutes of climbing through the clouds, the engines grew silent and our plane began to lose speed.  Strange, I thought, shouldn’t we be gaining speed?  My fingers instinctively gripped the armrest a little tighter.  Aikido has taught me to control fear, but most dojos aren’t flying 500 miles an hour at 25,000 feet over the Sea of Japan. 

     BANG!  A sudden explosion, like the backfiring of an old car was instantly followed by a huge flash of electric light arcing all around the engine just outside my window.  Simultaneously, my fingers made permanent indentations in the armrest, my throat slammed shut and certain muscles went into instant, uncomfortable rigor.  I promised whichever Travel Gods I’d just offended that I would never think about mixed drinks again while praying.

     Eyes clenched, all I could think about was the location of the exit doors –  Read the rest of this entry »