12.27.2009

Snow


From a distance, Seoul is all apartment buildings and mountain peaks.


An accident somehow left this lone car perpendicular to the traffic in the middle of an elevated highway.


Nearing the center of the older city, north of the Han.


Our octogenarian taxi driver was very grateful for our fare. He sat extremely close to the steering wheel, NASCAR-style.


Wait! Watch out for motorcycles when getting out!


Insa-dong is an artsy neighborhood where the shopping is more my speed.


The man who sold us some of these necklaces was scolded by his wife for having given us a buy-five-get-one-free deal.


A lot of the shops here do not allow photography. Being a daring rebel, I surreptitiously took a bunch of pictures without looking through the viewfinder.


A restaurant with a traditional facade.


Poop bread! Strawberry bread! 4 for 2000 won.


I liked these lights last time I was shopping in Insa-dong. I still like them.


Snow.


Earthenware.


Bicycle man.


Walnut cookie man.


This is the street just outside my uncle's house, where I grew up. The Seoul that I remember is all narrow, hilly streets and walled-in brick houses, but that is not the Seoul of today.


All bark and no balls.


As a toddler I did a lot of playing in this driveway.


A snowy night in Seoul.


An empty bridge is a rare sight.

12.25.2009

Seoul, Christmas 2009


Snack stand on a subway platform


Splitting noodles








Me, mom, and some random unkempt dude on the subway


Dad and mom


A subway station entrance that doubled as a pillow and bedding superstore


Fish cakes and meat on sticks on the sidewalk


Fried potato on a stick on the sidewalk


Shoes for sale


Leggings for sale


A building full of stuff for sale


Merry Christmas!