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5 Days in Hongdae: Seoul's University District

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Hongdae has a lot to offer to any tourist ranging from awkward Korean cuisine to Soju parties where people literally drink until they drop.

view from my apartment in Hongdae in Seoul, South Korea milky apple drink - delicious in Seoul, South Korea help! - how the hell does this Korean washing machine work? in Seoul, South Korea korean subway ticketing machines in Seoul, South Korea

Living in the center of Hongdae was an absolute bliss. There was always something going on outside my apartment building.

pacific rim poster in a korean subway in Seoul, South Korea korean subway ADs in Seoul, South Korea the Seoul police banner in Seoul, South Korea Wolverine 3D in Seoul in Seoul, South Korea

The building looked quite grimy when I first walked in. I will admit I was a little scared when I could't figure out how to get into the apartment since the landlord was unreachable. Eventually I figured out the special keycode and was able to enter the pad.

eating Mexican taco snacks at my apartment in Hongdae, Seoul in Seoul, South Korea eating Mexican taco snacks at my apartment in Hongdae, Seoul

When I first moved into the apartment I was stunned by how boiling hot it was. I couldn't seem to figure out the airconditioning unit. (see video)

how to behave in the Korean subways in Seoul, South Korea left over Korean currency in Seoul, South Korea baggage claim at Incheon ariport - nice welcoming sign in Seoul, South Korea Seoul subway on a busy eve in Seoul, South Korea interesting AD in Seoul, South Korea how college students should behave in a Korean subway in Seoul, South Korea at Gimpo airport ready to fly to Tokyo in Seoul, South Korea JL90 - that's me - going to Tokyo Haneda airport from Seoul's Gimpo in Seoul, South Korea

Overall the pad I rented from AirBNB was really good, especially for the location and at $60 per night I had nothing to complain about.

leaving a fantastic country with many great experiences in Seoul, South Korea leaving a fantastic country with many great experiences

The nearby subway station had many interesting advertisements ranging from American movie posters to instructions on how to behave on a Korean subway geared towards the Hongdae college kids.

I had to include this - Toronto's new airport lounge is amazing, tablets everywhere - Toronto stepping it up in Seoul, South Korea arriving at Incheon airport in South-Korea in Seoul, South Korea vending machine with women products - that's what I called a modern society in Seoul, South Korea interesting AD in Korea in Seoul, South Korea so many American movie posters in the Korean subways in Seoul, South Korea duty free at Gimpoi in Seoul, South Korea lotte duty free at gimpo in Seoul, South Korea

On my last day I decided to go to Gimpo airport right after a night of clubbing (without any sleep). I packed my bags and left quite early which had me ending up being the first individual at the airport. I had a very relaxing flight from Seoul to Tokyo. JAL is definitely one of my favorite airliners. The JAL staff is very polite, other airliners should take a note from this company.

Next stop Tokyo!

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