My new neighborhood

There are problems and then there are first world problems. I’ve been having the first worldiest (I’m sure that isn’t a real word) of first world problems. My apartment wifi wasn’t working, hence the lack of posts.

But the wifi drought is finally over and I can update my blog with the high-speed power of Korean internet.

I know I said I live in Seoul now, but Seoul is a huge place and every neighborhood looks similar in my eyes, with a few exceptions. I live in Gangseo-gu, a district in the western part of Seoul. Gangseo-gu is made up mostly of newer apartment blocks, some department stores, and Gimpo airport. It doesn’t have the glitz and glamor of Gangnam or the sprawling houses of Pyeongchang, but it has all the comforts and necessities of a big city.

The panda apologizes for the lack of posts

My closest subway station has an express line, score! That makes it easy to get to places like Hongdae easily. You can also get on the airport subway line.

All the good ramen is in Hongdae

I’m close to coffee shops, restaurants, phone stores, street food stands and a giant Homeplus.

If you want to picture Homeplus, just think of a Walmart where they sell whole squids and walls of Samsung televisions. I remember talking to people that were in Korea for years and they always bemoaned the lack of imported food. I think the market in Korea must be changing because Homeplus has plenty of syrup, bran cereal, and earl grey tea.

the brightly lit aisles of Homeplus

The Han river splits Seoul in half, but it’s not just another dirty river stuck in the middle of the city. Most of the land right by the the river has been turned into parks, bike trails, gardens, tennis courts, and general recreation areas.