Background

Arriving in Seoul, we have been parachuted in to help a large corporation architect and design a new billing system.   The excitement of meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and savoring new cuisines make the initial month overwhelming.   We can't believe how nice people are and appreciate their patience and goodwill.

Nightlife

With amazement we watch Seoul come alive at night.  Small portable drinking establishments are setup on street corners, Karaoke music and song fills the night air and shopping centers are open all night long.

 

High-definition large screen televisions mounted on sky-scrapers make driving through the downtown corridors of Seoul comparable to a surreal video game.   The number of cars on the road at night remind us visitors that skilled driving is as necessary at night as essential during the day.

 RoadTrip!

Play hard, work hard!   Working six days a week includes preparing presentations with translators, reviewing processes and designing solutions which meet and try to exceed expectations.   After two months we are exhausted!   It certainly is time for a holiday and we have been reviewing our options for travel for sometime.    When offered the company car for six days, the car keys are in our hands before the CEO has time to reconsider...!

 Naksan Beach

Traveling from Seoul to Naksan beach we are surprised at how easy it is navigating our way to the beach.   During the drive we discuss and debate our idea of a "perfect" oasis on the beach.   As if on queue, we spot an establishment on the beach lit up like a Christmas tree.  

 

Catering specifically to our high expectations, the outdoor sanctuary offers only two choices on the beverage menu... Beer and Soju!   While there are other Korean options on the menu we seem mesmerized by these two choices.

 The Hotel

After a few hours of drinking and socializing we make our way to a local hotel for the evening.   Dumbfounded, we have no answer when asked the single question..."Do you have reservations?"  All hotels are sold out!  

 

After intense negotiations with a hotel manager we settle on a price that will provide single-room lodging for five hours.   

 

Using a sophisticated process of elimination (rock, paper, scissors) we decide on bed, floor and chair recipients.  The chairperson's title ensures he receives no pillow nor blanket, as this is distributed to the other two friends.

 Need For Speed To Seoul

Spending a few days driving along the coast-line we revel in the beautiful sunlight, beach and ocean scenery.  Noticing the shoreline changing from sand & ocean to sand, barbwire & ocean we alter course traveling in a more southerly direction.

With almost two days remaining in our holiday we change direction again, returning to mega-modern Seoul. 

 

Traffic jam!  

 

Turning west towards Seoul, we are unprepared for the line of cars parked on the tarmac as far as we can see.

 

Engines turned off, families picnicking in the grass and folks sleeping with feet on the dash!   With nervous laughter we joke about the possibilities of arriving back in Seoul late or...running out of gas!   We slowly ask ourselves, can anyone say "Where's the nearest gas station?" in Korean.

 

After spending twelve hours without making much progress our driver decides to take desperate, decisive action!   Noticing drivers behind us pull-out into oncoming traffic and racing down the highway towards oncoming traffic, they skillfully dart back into the lineup just before piling into approaching cars. 

 

Intriguing...

 

We take a quick vote and nominate our friend that has consistently set high scores back home for his "Need For Speed" skills.  With nerves of steel, quiet patience and quick reflexes we use teamwork to race through the lineup, arriving in Seoul a few hours early for work! 

  INSADONG, Vancouver, BC Style

After spending a day driving in Vancouver, BC, consider this an invitation to drop by food and refreshments.....Korean style!   http://www.insadong.ca