“Annyeonghaseyo” (hello) and “gamsahabnida” (thank you) are the only Korean words I know by heart.
As much as I’ve tried to find time to master the language, it hasn’t been as easy as I’d hoped. The linguistic setback, however, didn’t stop me from planning a 10-day solo trip to Seoul earlier this month.
The first time I visited the South Korean capital was for work last November, when I had an impressive but packed itinerary, ensuring I saw the city’s main attractions while being guided by people who knew it best. But this time around, I wanted to see Seoul for myself, to find out if I could replicate the magic I felt before.
While South Korea is not known to be an easy country for those who don’t speak the language, it’s also not impossible to find ways to get by. For starters, downloading apps such as Papago (for language translations) and Naver Map or KakaoMap are musts (Google Maps does not work properly in the country). There is also free Wi-Fi widely available throughout the city, especially on public transport.
For some, a week and a half can feel like a long time to be in one place, but for me, every day felt like a new adventure, full of possibility. I spent time wandering around new neighbourhoods, going to outdoor markets and eating delicious foods. I also caught up with some friends I had made from my previous trip. After those 10 days, Seoul was still an extraordinary experience but that isn’t to say it was smooth sailing all the time.
So, here are some things I learnt on my trip to help others who want to visit.
Knowing a little bit of Korean goes a long way
Not many people speak English in South Korea, nor should they be expected to. Although I am impressed with how many things are in English, when it comes to face-to-face interactions, it will mostly be in Korean unless its somewhere like a business where tourists would go.
So, knowing a few small phrases can go a long way. Even something as simple as gamsahabnida (thank you) with a smile can be a good way to show your appreciation to someone. For example, a bus driver helped me to get to a correct stop and then proceeded to hand me a left-behind umbrella because he knew it was going to rain. I'd like to think my numerous "gamsahabnidas" and general gratitude towards him were connected to the exchange.
Just having a little notebook with some keywords or phrases written in it will make things a lot easier because Koreans will probably understand what you are trying to ask for even if you can't say it in a complete sentence. For example: olmanayo (how much), yokssil (bathroom) and waipai (Wi-Fi) are good to know.
Don’t have a plan
This isn’t going to be for everyone, but sometimes it’s better to not have a set plan for the day. Perhaps make a list of things you'd like to see while there, but don't tie yourself to it. If you really want to immerse yourself in a place, you should be open to discovering as much as possible without the fear of something going wrong.
Pack very light
This feels like stating the obvious, but the shopping scene in South Korea, especially when it comes to beauty and skincare products, is unmatched. There’s an Olive Young (an outlet similar to Sephora) on almost every corner and, as the prices are often cheaper there than they are internationally, it’s hard to not want to buy everything.
However, even for those who aren’t into skin care or make-up, there are plenty of street markets to discover that sell souvenirs at reasonable prices. Whether it’s keychains and magnets, hoodies and T-shirts or cute cat-themed stationery, there is something out there for everyone, so be sure to have plenty of extra room in your luggage.
Just remember, if you take the metro back to the airport (which is the cheapest way), you'll have to be ready to carry your heavy bag for a while.
Be realistic with your expectations
Social media has allowed us all to romanticise many places and things, and Seoul is no exception. I tried to time my trip with the cherry blossom season because I really wanted to see them in full bloom. Unsurprisingly, I wasn't the only one.
My friend and I headed to Yeouido Hangang Park on an early Saturday afternoon and were shocked by how absolutely packed with people it was. However, in hindsight, this isn't surprising because cherry blossoms are a much sought after sight. We also tried to go up to Namsan Tower at sunset, only to be met with an enormous queue that extended outside the door, so we decided to leave and get dinner instead.
Much like travelling to any other place, Seoul really is what you make of it. It is not a perfect city, but it will continue to have a special place in my heart and I hope others who visit feel the same.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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