Week 3 In Seoul: Dancing, Mountains & a Slight Case of Getting Lost

It all began with a rainy Monday, but as any Dutchie knows: “We are not made of sugar.” So off I went into my third week here in Seoul, a city that continues to surprise and charm me. I’m still really enjoying my time at Lexis, learning Korean and discovering new things every day, both in and outside the classroom. One thing I should have known but didn’t expect, is how visible homelessness is in certain parts of the city. Amidst all the sparkling skyscrapers and trendy cafés, you’ll also see people living on the streets. It’s a sobering contrast that reminds me every day how complex big cities can be.

What I still find so special is how easy it is to connect with the younger students. As long as I don’t act like an 이모 (that’s Korean for “auntie”, often used for middle-aged women), I blend in just fine. Some even call me 언니 “older sister”, which secretly makes me smile. We do a lot together outside of Lexis, and it feels good to be part of a little international family.

A class Shuffle & New Vibes

This Monday brought a surprise: right before our afternoon class, two other students and I were moved to a different class. So, after two cozy weeks learning alongside Karin and Christian we suddenly had to split up. Luckily, the content is the same, we’re just learning it from a different teacher.

And honestly? The change wasn’t bad at all. While our morning teacher is full of (sometimes overwhelming) energy, our new afternoon teacher is calm, sweet and wonderfully patient. With fewer students in the class, there’s plenty of time to speak Korean out loud, which is exactly what I need.

Climbing to the Top: Namsan Tower Adventures

With Tuesday’s forecast showing clear skies, a group of us (Karin, Jessica, Christian, Nicole, Thalia and I) decided to head to Namsan Tower after class. It’s only a 30-minute bus ride from Gangnam… though you should know, drivers in Seoul really like to test the speed limits whenever they can (traffic jams permitting).

Namsan, located in the Jongno district, is 262 meters high. At first, we considered taking the cable car to the top… until we saw the hour-long queue. So, what else to do on a sunny day but hike it ourselves? The views made every step worth it. And then, once we were at the top, sweaty but proud, we discovered -of course- there’s another bus that goes all the way up. Typical, right? Still, no regrets. The climb was part of the fun (and the story).

Fun fact: The Namsan Tower was completed in 1971 and originally served as a transmission tower, blocking North Korean radio and TV signals. It opened to the public in 1980 and has since become a true Seoul landmark.

Cough Pills & a Day Indoors

Korean spring weather can’t make up its mind, and by Friday I was down with a cold, tickly cough, running nose and had to skip school. Luckily, pharmacies are on nearly every corner here, so I picked up some cough pills to ease the irritation. Thankfully, I’d already stocked up on fruit for a vitamin boost. I ended up spending the entire day in my room, resting and recharging. Sometimes a quiet day alone is exactly what you need.

Itaewon Nights & Subway Blunders

By Saturday night, I felt much better and joined friends (Karin, Jessica and Christian) for a night out dancing in Itaewon. We arranged to meet at exit 4 of the subway station… which was where things got interesting. It was my first solo trip using the Seoul Subway, and let’s just say: it’s not as simple as it looks. The system is clever, layered, and massive. I didn’t get lost in Itaewon itself, but a few stops earlier during one of the transfers. Some of those stations are like mazes, and figuring out where to go -especially which exit to take- can get confusing fast.

And the best part? When I finally arrived at Itaewon Station, I couldn’t get out. Somehow, I had missed a check-in at one of the earlier transfer points, so the gates wouldn’t let me check out. There I was, stuck behind the turnstiles, trying to explain what happened to the station staff. Thankfully, they were kind and helpfull, and probably used to confused foreigners by now. Eventually, I made it to the meeting point, fashionably late and slightly flustered, but still ready to dance the night away. And I did! (Don’t worry, I kept it all pretty goody-goody.)

https://youtube.com/shorts/J9RLjh8qAQU?si=B6P96ZgvdS69SuRk

Sunday Strolls & Sun Umbrellas

After a night out, I had just one lazy Sunday afternoon left. I’d planned to visit the National Hangeul Museum, but to my disappointment, it was closed due to construction activities (note to self: always check the website). Still, the nearby Yongsan Family Park was a lovely surprise. The sun was shining, and the park was filled with families picnicking, kids playing, and couples lounging in the grass. 

What stood out to me was how many people, young and old, were walking around with open umbrellas, not for rain, but to shield themselves from the sun. Especially the elderly women were dressed from head to toe in full sun protection: long sleeves, gloves and all kind of hats, some with wide sun visors, others with flaps covering their necks. Many also wore face masks of even handkerchiefs over their faces. It was fascinating to see such dedication to avoiding sun exposure, and it gave the park a unique atmosphere, peaceful, practical, and full of quiet routine.

After soaking in the calm park vibes, I decided to walk back… which might have been a bit ambitious. At least, I wanted to cross one of the 23 (or so) bridges over the Han River, just for the experience. I didn’t make it all the way home on foot, but I got pretty far before spotting a subway station and hopping on for the final stop. By the end of the day, I had clocked in nearly 32,000 steps. Not bad for a “lazy” Sunday!

Looking Ahead

This week was a blend of little changes, new experiences, and beautiful discoveries. I’m starting to feel like I really live here, and with every little adventure, Seoul feels more like mine.

Let’s see what week 4 will bring!