Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Anybody been to Korea?

We are headed to Japan in March to see our son. We want to go to Korea on the way back and spend a few days. Anyone here been to Korea and if so, what should we see and do?

North or South?

Well, we are planning on South Korea, but they may want me to go inspect North Korea's nuclear disarmament program.

I don't know anyone more qualified.

If you make it up north, say hello to Kim Jong Il for me. He hasn't been feeling to well lately.

I have been to South Korea for business about 10-15 times.

There is a lot of shopping and tourist items in Seoul. One popular day trip is the tour of the DMZ.

'Mak-ju' is beer. Get used to saying it, as the food is typically VERY spicy. Fermented cabbage laced with spices, called Kim-chi is always on the table... beer in hand before sampling.

I am unsure of your language skills, if you get outside Seoul, there is little english signage or photos on menus. It can be fairly difficult. If you need a translator, you typically are asked by a restaurant owner to speak to their 6-7 year old. Older folks will have fairly solid Japanese.

In Seoul, the maps, tourist guide and roadsigns were just done a few years back for the World Cup soccer touney, so it is almost convenient.

My oldest son will be with us and he speaks fluent Japanese so we may be okay out in the country side. We have had Kim-chi before and it is spicy. A beer in hand is a good motto to follow no matter where you are. I will give Kim Jung Il your regards Sunil, and will tell him to stay in closer touch with you.

"I will give Kim Jung Il your regards Sunil, and will tell him to stay in closer touch with you."

You can try to tell him that, but he's pretty much always been a lurker.

When I was stationed in Japan, I took a week and went over to S. Korea. All I can say is its a neat place to visit and experience the food. Also, I spent ALOT of money on buying items, it reminds me of going to mexico with everything available for barter, including new suits (i got a few of those 3-piece custom made and a cashmire overcoat for about $200).

I am one that likes to get out of the normal tourist cities and go see the countryside, most everyone will try to work with you when ordering food and drink. Also, keep your ID handy as their is alot of checkpoints to go through if you leave Seoul.

I would recommend the DMZ tour and the tours of the underground tunnels N. Korea built to infiltrate. Its pretty awesome, sobering sight to go by the airport and see the Patriot missiles pointed North for protection.

You'll have fun just wondering around and getting lost. There is a curfew set for all Americans to be in by a certain time (can't remember if its 12am or 2am).

All of us need to go to foreign countries and we will see how truly lucky we are. I've been to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Phillipines, Viet Nam, Cairo, and San Francisco - none of them compare to the good ol' USA. The poor are really poor, and have almost no hope of a better future. It's very eye-opening and sad.

San Francisco?

Yes, Cecil, San Francisco.

Ahhhh, San Francisco, the second worst city in the USA.

So what's the number one worst city in the U.S.?

Some place in Indiana, "Lego-Near" or some such. :P

Cecil, don't you watch the Simpsons?


Someone else let Cecil in on where the winner of the "Worst City In The USA" award is.

NO it's not Leg - O - Near. We're all hard working people here.

Gary, Indiana maybe?

While parts of larger cities, have had their bad times, they are all much nicer than this place. Worst part is, it's not even a big city---actually, it's on the small side of a medium sized town.

I think I will bow out of this thread now. I don't like where it's going.

I'm sorry Cecil, didn't mean to spook ya.


The town is East St. Louis, Illinois.


The place has been ranked as one of the 10 worst US cities for as long as I can remember.

Ah yes, East St. Louis, roll up your windows and lock your doors as you drive through. My brother and I both compete in demo derbies and even as dangerous as the town can be it is a great place to find our favorite models of 70's era cars that we use in the races. Although I haven't done it much lately I have knocked on quite a few doors asking the resident if they would be interested in selling the 1971-76 Chevy, Buick, Olds whatever sitting dead in the yard. The stories of what happens next can be very interesting. One time the lady who answered thought I was working for the collection agency and gave me quite a screaming.

The worst was one time my bother and his friend were cruising slow though some of the side streets looking for cars in his stationwagon. Suddenly they noticed a guy running in a crouched position along side the car. He also happened to be carrying a big handgun. My brother hit the gas and as he did the guy stood up straight and emptied the magazine into a housing complex on the opposite side of the street where several guys were lounging on the porch. They all scattered in seconds. He didn't let off the gas pedal for the next three stop signs. They came upon a sitting cop car and told the cop what had just happened. The cop was not excited at all and said it happens all the time. He said he would go down and check it out but he knew what response he would get. "Nobody saw nothing."

Okay, before we consign this thread to the ash heap via moderation, does anyone have any more info on Korea for heybud?