Alien creatures? Or Seoul fish market?

by Neil Woodburn on


Last month when I was in Seoul, I made sure to visit the city’s Noryangjin Fish Market. I wasn’t quite sure where it was when I exited the Noryangjin subway station, but a quick sniff of the air told me exactly the direction I should go.

This massive warehouse is a completely surreal experience. Hundreds of water-filled bins contain some of the most bizarre aquatic creatures I’ve ever seen. And every single one is there to be eaten.

I spent more than an hour watching the fish mongers hawking their trade, slicing up their catch, and even wrestling with octopi. I never quite got used to the smell and, in fact, it lingered in my nasal passages for pretty much the rest of the day, long enough to completely eliminate the possibility of eating fish for dinner.

Nonetheless, the fish market remained one of my personal favorite highlights in Seoul. Sure, there are plenty of cultural sights and fascinating museums throughout the South Korean capital, but nothing, in my opinion, was quite as mesmerizing as an afternoon spent with the oddball denizens of the deep.
%Gallery-13542%

Where on Earth? Week 33: War Memorial Museum, Seoul, South Korea

by Neil Woodburn on

Congrats go out to Johonn2 for nailing this week’s contest and also for providing us some additional background information about the above statue located on the grounds of the War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea.

Like most memorials, this one is populated with its share of somber and heroic statues. Scattered about the grounds is also a substantial amount of artillery ranging from mortars to tanks to bombers and helicopters.

I spent far longer here than I thought, wandering past all types of weaponry from a variety of countries which participated in the Korean War. It was difficult, however, to really soak in the somberness of the exhibit due to thousands of school kids running around frantically and turning the killing machines into jungle gyms.

In comparison, the interior of the museum was much quieter and unlike the outside, it covers the entire history of warfare in Korea.

If you find yourself in this part of the world, be sure to stop by and visit; like all war museums, you’ll leave with strange, mixed feelings about your fellow man and wonder why we can’t all just get along.

Women-only subway cars comimg to South Korea in 2008

by Catherine Bodry on

When I was traveling through India, the crowds were often the most tiring aspect — constantly being closely surrounded by people. When I took a local train to a guesthouse in Mumbai, I stood next to an open door, my backpack slamming people’s faces every time I turned my body.

Then I discovered the “women-only” car — a calm respite from the crowds. Here, I was able to find a seat next to mellow ladies who chatted amiably with me. My ride was relaxing and I didn’t worry about anyone trying to grab my booty or steal something out of my pack.

South Korea has the same idea. The country will be adding women-only cars to its Seoul subway line in 2008 in order to make rides for women more comfortable. Reuters states that “nearly half the crimes reported on the city’s eight subway lines are sexual in nature, with many taking place on two lines that serve university and office districts.” Officials are hoping the women-only cars will cut down on subway crime.

Thanks to ampontour on Flickr for the shot of the women-only sign for a train in Japan.

The Toilet Hotel

by Jamie Rhein on

If eating out of a toilet doesn’t sound edgy enough–grand enough, how about a night in a house that looks like one? Might sound odd, but don’t be hasty. The Toilet House may not be so weird. The guy who had it built, Seoul, Korea’s, Sim Jae-Duck, is the founder of The World Toilet Association and wants to make sure that people have clean toilets to use. By this, I don’t mean toilet hygiene, per se, but toilets that are clean to use–meaning people have a place to go do their business without creating a health hazard. If you’ve ever lived in an African village, you understand the need for a good latrine that’s far enough away from the village well.

If you pay the $50,000 a night to stay in this house, you’ll be adding money towards Jae-Duck’s work to make sure that people in the world can get rid of their bodily waste without the danger of making people sick. Not a bad idea. Plus, the house does look funky. Again, thanks to Tom Barlow from BloggingStocks for sending this treasure my way.

Photo of the Day (10/15/07)

by Iva Skoch on

If this photo doesn’t brighten your day, there is no hope for you my friend! Wow, this is a truly spectacular sight. Lovely colors. Taken on Friday in Korea, by ladyexpat.

***To have your photo considered for the Gadling Photo of the Day, go over to the Gadling Flickr site and post it.***