The REAL Dongdaemun Wholesale Centre

So this evening Rose was on for a mid night shopping encounter at Dongdaemun, and though I was reluctant because I really AM ON A BUDGET, plus its super cold at night these days -  I gladly obliged because if not with her right now, then when will I go to the real Dongdaemun wholesale centre?

The common buildings associated with Dongdaemun are usually Hello aPM, Migliore and Doota, but did you know those are not really the wholesale centres?

The REALS ONEs open only at 10pm in the night (or even later) through till the morning and are just a stone's throw away from Doota.

Directions:
Get off Dongdaemun History & Culture Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 14.
Walk pass aPM, Migliore, and when you get to Doota, cross the huge main road in front of Doota to the other side. 
Walk straight and you will see some brightly lit buildings as per the below pictures.
 

 These are the brightly-lit buildings I was referring to.

The buildings are obviously tall and big so you gotta prep yourself mentally in order to spend the whole night shopping!

Sometimes, they have extended shopping where they set up tents at the exterior of the building. Like our Singapore style "pasar malam".

These! These are the shopping bags of people who have shopped and are still shopping. And they "trustingly" leave their paid goods in the open. Amazing isn't it? That's why they say Seoul is a safe place!

 And here, the inside of the centres. Please don't expect some awesome shopping experience because the merchandise is just gonna be all over the floor like this.

And just so you know, to purchase, you have to buy a minimum of 5 pcs and some, up to 10 pcs. Some stores do allow 1-pc sale at retail price, but there are some that do not allow that... The material and qty are also decent along with it's price. 

The sight of ABUNDANCE!

Alright that's so much for tonight!

 

Roaming the streets of Samcheongdong-gil and Bukchon

Directions:

Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Exit 3

Today, Rose's family arrived in Seoul and I am their "official" tour guide - Frankly, Rose knows more about where to visit than I do! She mentioned this beautiful street with quaint shops and folk houses named sam... something. I have not heard of this sam.. something place... though I was supposedly the guide here. (Korean words in transliteration seem HARDER to pronounce, seriously). Well anyways, she has the directions and so I tagged along!

This is called SAMCHEONGDONG-GIL - looks super complicated to pronounce - literally read "sum-chong-dong-kill"

I found out from the tour book:

"Samcheongdong Street - Traditional Korean houses and modern buildings are juxtaposed to create unusual scenery. Contemporary restaurants and wine bars have been established in traditional houses along with galleries, designer shops, specialty shops and themed museums".

Basically, this street gives a sense of nostalgia and melancholy edge, filled with a mix of old and new times. 

New times = Modern looking quaint buildings selling contemporary fashion and accessories (you won't find Faceshop, Etude house etc. here)

Old times = Folk Houses which really are traditional Korean style houses (most of which ARE real residences 

This is one of the many shots of the modern buildings which looked like a cottage in a village. 

I thought it's architectural style was homely and nice, and it was different from that of Apujeong and Hongdae. (they each have their own sense of taste and are all fabulous in their ways!)

 

OK, a little more on the directions - the moment you exit from exit 3, you should spot some signs to tell you where is where but in fact, none states where Samcheongdong-Gil is cause the whole area is Samcheongdong. 

So, just follow the path alongside the stone walls in the 2nd picture below (that seems to lead to nowhere) cause you will soon reach an intersection and that's where you will start to spot the cottage-looking buildings. 

 

The weather is really getting colder by now as Winter is just a few days away.. I don't even want to think about how cold that will be!
 

More pictures of the contemporary cottage-like shops! yay!

And there you see, right next to the cottage-like buildings, there will also be old-world style folk houses!

There are plenty of food and cafes in this area, so no hungry-stomachs!

And you find quaint little shops, artistically displaying their merchandise in front of the store! The prices ain't too expensive, really, but seems like the items sold could also be found in Myeong-dong.

See why I say it looks artistically displayed?

I just had to position them in this manner to add that melancholic idea in the photo!

And at random intersections, you will find residences like these, that's why the experience was so... cool?

Of course, while walking in between intersections, we have lost our way and decided it's ok to just "go with the flow" and ended up at this sorta main road, which will led us to Gyeongbokgung.

In fact, so many shops and cafes line this road. 

Since this location is close to Gyeongbokgung & The Blue House (where the president stays, I suppose) 

my guess is that this district would be an expensive one (where the wealthier people stay). 

Notably, this could also be a dating point cause I do see lotsa couples hanging out here 

(Seoul really has so MANY dating places ya know!)

Signing out with an idiotic pose of myself!

 (BTW, if you observe the background, that is the side entrance to Gyeongbokgung.)

Mental note: Next time, I'd try walking to Samcheongdong via Gyeongbukgung!

Hanging around Sinsa-dong, Garousugil, Apujeong?

What should I say about this next location?

Even though I've read about this location from tour books, it's not one of my to-go places cos the it has this image of an "up-market street". I mean - I am no "up-market girl". And a real bargain hunter, so, what good would it be for me to hang out in a location that's known to consist of luxury goods, expensive cafes, and ultra-beautiful people?

Oh, well, Rose would proof me wrong when she insisted I go walk-walk with her the day she arrived!

I gotta admit that I am really confused with its names. So is Sinsa-dong, Garousil and Apujeong the same location? Truth is, I STILL don't know. But we did get off Sinsa subway station and randomly found our way to these beautiful streets which are so different in architectural styles and concepts. The window displays also seem to be more influenced by the West. A stylish place with an artistic touch in every corner. It's like walking through an art gallery.

"It's like the SOHO district of Seoul.." says one of those tourist websites. And it sure was!

Directions:
Sinsa Subway Station, Line 3, Exit 8

Here are some random shots of the streets. See how different they are compared to the rest of the shopping districts like Hongdae, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun?

They say you could spot celebrities hanging out in these areas too, since there are a couple of entertainment agencies nearby.

Pretending I'm in some part of Europe!

These pictures are just a peek into the streets here - if you wanna see more - come experience it yourself!

Some crazy shots on the day I went to meet Rose!

Hweeli is in town with me!

The year-end season is finally here and some good friends visited me over the weekend! YAY!

It's coming to 3 months (in another week's time!) since I arrived in this foreign land. Time just whisked by and I no longer feel so much like stranger.

Having friends plan and come visit me makes, me feel warm and homely.

Although I thought the term break of 3 weeks was suppose to buy me time to just sleep, hibernate, basically chill-out without having to face school and do homework - but hey! having fun with the friends whom you have known for ages feels different from having fun with friends you have just met.

You basically go - like. crazy. together.

Hweeli is here with me for a short 3D2N stay. For the first night - I crashed over in her hotel and the second night, she crashed over at my room!

Did I mention, it was LOTTE WORLD HOTEL! Just the perfect place for the thrill-seeker in me.

Directions to Lotte World - Subway to Jamsil Station, Line 2 or Line 8, Exit 4. (You should spot signs to bring you here)

Yup - so thrilling that we decided to go for a carousel ride! *bleh*

Yup, great shot of me pretending to be held captive.

And oh.. check out those dirty feet. 

Again, the glorious "V" sign!

The Lotte World Castle does look a tad bit like  haunted Castle here!

I don't bother doing photoshop cos... hmm... I'm too lazy.

Just be candid ok.

On day 2, I brought Hweeli for a "Korean Perm"

This is the regular hair salon that I go to and even though I don't speak perfect Korean,

they understand my needs well.

So we just went - "I want the latest style of Korean perm" and there you have it.

PIP - Perming-In-Progress

And this is me with my favorite hair-stylist.

This was how my fully utilized, tiny room looked like when Hweeli stayed over.

We basically only had space to walk from the door to the bed.

Even the bed was JUST enough for us to sleep in 1 position.

But it was really coy to have a pal sharing the room with me.

 *sweet*

 

Thanks for flying her and spending these few special days with me, my lovely friend! 

*hugs*