First Steps in Seoul

The terminal was enormous—filled with glowing screens, cartoon mascots, and cheerful announcements in a foreign language. I was in Korea.

Arrival

After a quick train ride from Incheon to Seoul Station, I stepped into the city carrying my bags and a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and disbelief.Seoul Station is a world of motion—people moving in every direction, signs in Hangul and English, announcements echoing over the rolling wheels of luggage and the sounds of people moving. It was immediately humbling.

I didn’t have navigation yet, my Hangul was that of an elementary school student, and my body was running on travel fumes. I relied on gestures, smiles, and a few kind strangers who helped me find my way toward my hotel.

That first walk through the city—carrying my bags, slightly lost, needing some rest, and bordering on hangry—had all my senses buzzing.

Eating Alone in a City of Togetherness

After settling in, I went in search of food. Prior to being in Korea, I had an understanding of the family style eating that is standard in all Korean restaurants but what I didn’t expect was how deeply Korea’s dining culture is built around connection. Tables are meant to be shared—with friends, coworkers, and family. Bars aren’t built for solo diners pulling up a stool to chat with their neighbors and bartenders.

For someone who’s spent years working in restaurants—who’s found comfort in the hum of conversation and watching the rhythm of a busy kitchen—that hit differently.

Most of my adult life, I’ve found connection through dining not just with long time friends or family but also with locals and and fast friends that you meet pulled up to a bar top. Sitting alone in the hotel restaurant, next to another quiet solo diner, I waved off the loneliness. Maybe this was just a one-off, I thought. At least I wasn’t on a plane anymore.

Then came the dish—tteokbokki with quail eggs and brisket. It was rich, spicy, and filling. Chewy rice cakes soaked in a sweet and spicy sauce, the brisket was no American brisket but added depth and umami, and the soft boiled quail eggs gave a creamy relief from the spice. I ate slowly, listening to the the groups of friends and colleagues talking in Korean with lots of laughs and clanking of glasses.

The Skygarden

After dinner, still wanting to move my body and see something new, I wandered into the Seoullo 7017 Skygarden—an elevated park that winds above the city near Seoul Station. The night air was cool, and the walkway glowed with color: pine trees, bamboo, roses, hydrangea, and chrysanthemums lit gently under soft lights.

Couples strolled hand in hand, Groups of friends laughed over while picnicking in corners of the park , and families laughed as they interacted with the various activities that are spread out throughout the park. . I walked and enjoyed being on my feet and viewing Seoul on a busy and bustling Thursday night.

Somewhere between the sound of laughter, the rhythm of my footsteps, and the hum of traffic below, I felt something shift.I wasn’t rushing anymore.I was just observing.

✨ Next Stop: Baekyangsa Temple Stay

From the noise of the city to the stillness of the mountains.