We visited Seoul two days this week. On Monday, Paolo drove with me and the two sisters who work in the parish. Then on Wednesday, Paolo and I travelled by subway and train, and met up with a friend of his who is a parish priest in Seoul.
First port of call on Monday was the catholic cathedral. I find it quite remarkable that christianity is only 230 years in Korea. Paolo is 2nd generation christian, and that would be quite normal. Haven't yet met anyone who would be more than 3rd generation christian.
The Catholic Church seems very well organised in Korea; seems to enjoy a decent respect from anyone and everyone; has a strong sense of mission and outreach; and has its own tv station.
My first impression of Seoul was one of amazement. It's home to 10 million people. A massively high rise city with a fantastic road and transport system. The same can be said about the whole of the country. It's very hard to have any sense of direction as the city is very much divided into areas.
After the cathedral, we walked through a main area of Seoul, visited some shopping areas, and had lunch in a massive upmarket food hall. Then we spent a few hours visiting the Gyeongbokgung (palace greatly blessed by Heaven). It belongs to the Joseon Dynasty and was built in 1395. Very interesting and colourful.
Then we got a taxi to a tourist area, full of art galleries and small shops, in a pedestrian zone. Our final port of call was a massive shopping and recreation area to the north of Seoul called Times Square. Very impressive. After browsing in book shops, etc., and having yet again something more to eat (I do not know where the Koreans get their appetites from!), we went to a 4D film, Avatar which really was quite brilliant: seats rocking sideways and up and down; various smells or scents; sensation of wind, etc.
On Wednesday, our first visit was to the Korean War Memorial. A huge complex, extremely well organised and laid out. Tells the story of Korea and especially the division between north and south (which is still very much regretted by (south) Koreans), and the Korean war.
I'm just reminded that in the aftermath of the war in the early 1950s, Korea was fairly poor by any standards. Yet by the early 1970s, economic development started in a very big way. I'm very struck by the amount of construction going on all around Seoul, and in Incheon. Also, manufacturing is still extremely big here, with Samsung, Hyundai, GM Daewoo, big steel factories, etc. You also get the impression of a very modern and forward-looking country, doing very well economically, but still very much retaining much of traditional Korean culture and customs, such as the importance of "manners".
After the War Memorial, we met up with a friend of Paolo, John, who is a parish priest in Seoul city. We went strolling around a tourist area of the city, Itaewon; stalls all along the street; had coffee; and visited the Mosque. Then we went on to Seoul Tower. Already very high up (built on a steep hill-top), Seoul Tower is 479 metres above sea level. We went up to the second highest stage in the tower, where there were great views of the city.
An interesting aspect at the ground level of the tower, were locks placed all around the railings. It's tradition for young couples when they get engaged, to "lock" their relationship here.
After the Tower, we got a taxi back to one of the main city areas, and had a meal, followed by a walkabout when I had a great sense of Seoul by night.
Very enjoyable two days in Seoul. I can only say that my host, Paolo, is extremely kind and caring, and puts himself totally out for me. His friend, John, whom we met in Seoul, insisted on paying for everything that afternoon and evening. It was his treat. It's very often hard here to get away with putting your hand in your pocket. The welcome and hospitality are quite exceptional.
