By: Brittany S
Traveling to a
different country doesn't always have to mean you want to visit the
tallest building, location where something was filmed, or museums (or
something equally historical and/or insightful). Why not do some of the
fun stuff that the locals do? Doesn't saying you ran with the bulls in
Barcelona sound so much cooler than you watched a bullfight in your
home country? Here are a few ways to make these kind of memories in
Korea.
7--Visit “Dr. Fish” (Gangnam, S. Korea)
Although you can do this in other
countries, I’ve read the best reviews about doing it in Korea. Stick your feet in a tank with two different
kinds of fish that will eat the dead skin—a natural pedicure!
Things
to Do:
Wear loose clothes so you can roll them
up and keep them dry.
Enjoy gelato/waffle/coffee/smoothie
before you go to the tank.
Keep a tight grip on your camera so you
don’t drop it in the water!
Things
to Remember:
Don’t put on a lot of moisturizer the
day you get ready to go.
6--Receive training and fly a plane same day! (Gimpo, S. Korea)
I wouldn’t recommend coming all the way
to Korea just to do this, but if you are already planning a trip there, why not
take things to the next level? The pilot
is British so don’t worry about language barriers. You will either fly a 2 or 4-seater plane
with his assistance. It’s pretty cool!
Things
to Do:
Dress in layers. The temperature will
vary on and off the ground.
Taxi the plane on the runway.
Take control of the plane in the air,
both turning & balancing it out.
Wear a headset and communicate with Air Traffic
Control and your co-pilot.
Things
to Remember:
Take your time moving the controls. It
only requires small adjustments.
The instructor has a set of controls,
too. You’re in good hands.
You can only take pictures in designated
areas ONLY.
5--Visit
the “Love Castle” (Gyeongju,
S. Korea)
I couldn’t help but giggle like a
schoolgirl at this museum. From penis
chairs, sex toys, and karma sutra instructional videos to fetish displays and
animal porn, this museum has enough to keep you smirking. In spite of its description, it’s not a
sleezy place and you will oftentimes see timid couples going there for a date.
Things
to Do:
 |
| He's such a good kisser. ;-) |
Be prepared to be shocked, embarrassed,
and/or curious, etc.
Go with someone you’re dating or make it
a girls’ night out
Watch the kama sutra video while sitting
on penis chairs in a dimly lit room
Things
to Remember:
Don’t do anything there that you
wouldn’t want others to find out about (employers, etc).
This place mainly focuses on the aesthetics
of sex and love.
4--Eat LIVE Octopus! (Seoul, S. Korea)
Ok I’m not gon’ lie, I haven’t done this
one…yet. I have to work my way up to
it! Not only is eating live octopus a little like
something off “Fear Factor” for many of us (it actually was a Fear Factor
challenge), but if eaten incorrectly, you could choke and die! It is only second to blowfish as the most
dangerous food to eat in the world. (Now you see why I’m not in a rush to cross
this one off my list. Maybe I’ll do a few
more of these and THEN do this one…*nervous laugh*)
Things
to Do:
Have a buddy record a video of you
eating it. Some people make really funny
faces.
CHEW FIRST THEN SWALLOW. DO NOT SWALLOW WHOLE!
Things
to Remember:
“Death By Octopus” is not something you
want on your tombstone. CHEW!
Korea has a festival for just about
EVERYTHING. But out of all their
celebrations, this one draws the largest foreign crowd. Head down to the beach and enjoy a day
covered in mud! From mud
facials/massages to colored mud body paint to mud wrestling, there is plenty of
excitement for people of all ages.
You’ll leave with your skin feeling great!
Things
to Do:
Encourage someone you can release your
pinned-up frustration on to mud wrestle with you.
Go down the giant mud slide—try not to
scream or you will get mud in your mouth!
Turn yourself in and go to “mud prison.”
Enjoy the free concerts and other
performances.
Visit the mud spa.
Party on the beach!
Get your body painted in colored mud.
Things
to Remember:
Book your hotel or pension rooms
EARLY. Same thing applies for
transportation both ways.
Don’t pack things that you’d be
devastated if they were ruined.
Wear sunscreen and swimwear that can
handle you being active.
Don’t get your hair done right before
you go. ;-)
2--DMZ
Tour (DMZ,
S. Korea)
DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone is a true
misnomer. By definition, a demilitarized
zone is a place where all military presence or function has been removed and
forbidden. Then why is this place the
most heavily militarized border in the world?
This area serves as the buffer zone between North and South Korea. Not only do I recommend this as a great
historical site that explains a lot of the story behind Korea’s division and
current relations, but for some, it presents a unique thrill of being in a
dangerous place. Even though there are
rules and agreements in place, time and time again incidents have happened from
someone disobeying orders, resulting in death at times. Depending on the current relationship between the two countries, you may even
be able to go into North Korea; but be careful.
Things
to Do:
Tour one of the three tunnels open to
tourists (4 tunnels in total)
Take pictures with soldiers (ask
permission first)
Read up/watch mini documentaries on the
history of that area
Buy souvenir(s)
See “propaganda village” in N. Korea as
well as the large flagpole
Go to the JSA (Joint Security Area)
Visit the Gyeongui (KORAIL) line that
connects the two Koreas
Things
to Remember:
Sign up to go with a tour
Have your passport and/or ARC handy
Dress conservatively and neatly (check
your tour’s exact dress code)
Take pictures in designated areas ONLY
1--Do
a Temple Stay (all
around S. Korea)
You don’t have to be Buddhist (or be
concerned that they will try to convert you) to do a temple stay. Korea has a few world renowned temples that
are foreigner/non-Buddhist friendly. I
highly recommend Haein Temple (near Daegu).
Things
to Do:
Take a vow of silence.
108 Prostrations (Yup, you’ll bow 108
times!)
Wake up at 3am to begin your day as a
monk.
Practice meditating.
Talk to monk(s).
Take a hike.
Things
to Remember:
All your actions should be with your
“mind” (it’s the heart, not the brain).
Make sure you eat all the food you put
on your tray.
Adhere to the temple rules.
No cameras during official ceremonies.
Dress conservatively.
Interesting. But I definitely pass on #4!
ReplyDelete~Poopie