We got up today around 10ish. We decided that we would find another hotel. Which one tonight, R,L,I,F,E? We started with R since we had heard great things about it... It was 100 plus won. We went to the rest... about the same. We went to E who said it is dependent on what time you check-in. After 1800 it is cheaper!!! WOHOOOOOO! 65,000 won. We reserved one room at E Hotel. We left our bags in the corner and off we went.
Today, our plan was to finish seeing all the Palaces :O But, because we were famished and I don't do well without food, we went searching for lunch. We had this thick rice/pasta thingy with hot sauce. YUUMMMMMMMMM! We saw parts of the Bukchon Hanok Village but did not have time to do the whole thing; that map was huge and we already bought tickets for palace entrance fees! So we just did the cultural center.
We started at Changdeogung Palace. Our tour for The Secret Garden (shhhhh), was free! Yea, actually it was included in what we had previously paid. Well this palace was quick to tour. I waited for Taz near the Secret Garden Tour entrance. She found some other areas that were hidden and took pictures of it. Since we had 30 minutes to spare before our garden tour, we decided to go to the next Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace. Sadly, this palace has not been taken care of. The paint was peeling off and the floors were coming apart. I was saddened by this. We took a small break and then went back to the Secret Garden Tour.
The Secret Garden tour was not what I expected. Nothing like the movie- I thought there would be lots of flowers. It was buildings upon buildings placed in beautiful natural, scenic grounds where kings/queens, etc could cleanse their mind and soul. Our tour guide had a great sense of humor. He made the tour fun and a great learning experience.
The tour ended, and Taz and I were famished. So, we tried to find a place to eat. We stopped at a cute tea place. I got Ginger Tea, and our hostess spoke English and told me the rice cakes had no milk!!!!!! So I got a Strawberry and a Pumpkin flavored one with Ginger Tea. She had no idea as to where I could get a Dobak :(
So, we left tea world, and went to the Shrine. Oddly, a lot of doors were closed. I accidentally walked on the pathway for the spirits because I thought it had ended back a ways, ahahahaha, I was wrong. Oops! Sorry dear spirits.
We learned that there was a festival tomorrow.... so we had a decision DMZ Tour or festival. We left the shrine and went to another coffee shop to get Wi-Fi, Tea and make plans for tomorrow. Yes, we both love Tea. Taz got me hooked.
I yet again, had my ginger tea but with honey this time. The DMZ Tour guide did not get our confirmation of attendance. So bizarre, but on facebook and via email we kept getting cancellation notices because there were not enough people. Decision is made for us. We sleep in tomorrow and go to the festival and markets and N.Seoul Tower for the light show at night! Hey that rhymes :) I asked our hostess where we could get a dobak. She called around and gave us information in Korean. We should have kept that sheet but she took it back and gave us one in English (store name was in Korean and English). She said it would be a 20 minute walk. Hey what is 20 minutes- we have been walking all over Seoul the last two days! Off we went towards Dongdaeman Stadium Metro Stop, exit 3. No one knew where we were going or they couldn't give us directions. Of course. But we went through this space ship mall and found a map and found our way, as always, to the store. Only to be let down by our 20+ minute walk as they didn't have the dobak :( They gave us something else in Korean and told us they would be open on Monday. We started walking towards the Korean version of Time Square. Then we saw a TKD Store and they were willing to custom make it for 65,000 won and 50,000 won for shipping. I asked my instructor, too expensive. Luckily, I told them to put it on hold and that I would call. I emailed him asking for a discount. We did some site seeing of the mall. It was interesting because the stores had mini stores inside like cubes that were run by individuals but the corridors were very narrow. I had some spicy chicken on a stick. We then proceeded to get on the subway back to our hotel. I thought we had to get off at exit 8, there was no exit 8.... we had a choice between numbers 1-3. We went out of 1 and got lost. We kept asking for directions and then finally two ladies, one of which knew English, escorted us there. They were wondering why those hotels, well we told them they were supposed to be the good ones as that is what our guide book says. They respond, OK. I relaxed once we got in. Taz went out later and brought back chicken that we shared. We weren't sure about the veggie dish so left it. Time for bed and another adventure tomorrow.
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