Sunday Stroll in Insadong

Streetside....
The main street in Insadong is for tourists, artists and shoppers who want to find themselves away from the name brands and malls. Some of the shops are more traditional like this mans and others are handmade shoes, soaps and jewelry.

If you turn the corner off of the main street you find yourself in small little alleys lined with plants, and wooden doors that look like they all belong to the outside of a treasure chest.

Seoul is full of boutiques.... and one of Seoul's finer points (and maybe all of Korea for that matter) is making the perfect setting to show it off. Lots of detail... everything seems ornamental.

I found myself wondering down the alley that I had found on a previous visit with a fellow vegetarian to a restaurant that offers Korean style vegetarian and vegan food. One word for this place.... rare. There are a lot of Indian vegetarian restaurants, but Seoul is not overwhelmingly friendly to the non-meat eaters... luckily I eat seafood.

LUNCH!!

Traditional Korean eating is done at low tables on the floor... family style. I enjoyed watching this family and their children have lunch a couple tables from mine. I guess there are some Korean vegetarians... maybe Buddhist?

So anytime you are out in popular shopping areas in Seoul you're going to be surrounded by couples.... Korea is what I like to call "Couple Land". There are multiple holidays for couples in Korea and it is not uncommon to see couples go out in matching outfits from head to toe... and if not that, at least his and hers watches.

And as you can see here for all the conservativeness of Korea... the mini skirt is still super popular.... even with the Korean preschool teachers at my school... no skirt is too short. Guys have you booked your tickets to Korea yet?

Okay for all of those of you back home that may be missing the lips of a certain someone... wink wink. Look no further! In just a matter of moments you could mold your lips and have them plasticized for ever... and added to your keychain or cellphone (cellphone bobbles are a must in Korea) for the convenience of having another's lips on hand at all times. I will be taking request for the Christmas season.

My last stop in Insadong was a tea shop that I had been eyeing since earlier in the day. The tea.... JUJUBee tea... was awesome and unlike any other tea I had tried, well worth the 7,000 won (about $6). I sat for a while and just soaked in the yellow glow before heading home.

At the end of the day......