Seoul-id Trip Day 1.2: Hongdae + Myeongdong

Augusr 14, 2014
12:00PM KST

Hongdae, Seoul greeted us with a rainy afternoon and we were dying from hunger already... 

*photo cr: http://www.kekxified.tumblr.com*

Our first agenda was to look for our guesthouse: Rio House Hongdae. Instructions from Mr Insung is that we exit on Exit #2 (Hongik University Station). Upon arriving at the exit, most of my friends step aside to open their umbrellas. Little did we know that the guesthouse is just a minute or less than a minute walk from the exit! Perfect! (I really recommend this guesthouse because communicating with the owner, Mr. Insung was hassle-free. He was really helpful and accommodating to all of our questions prior our arrival in Seoul.)

*photo cr: http://www.riohousehongdae.com*

*photo cr: http://www.riohousehongdae.com*

We went inside the building to meet with Mr. Insung and Rachel. (You don't have to worry if you are bringing tons of luggage since the building has its own elevator.) We arrived earlier than the check-in time that's why we left our luggage first at their office and had lunch first around Hongdae. But before we left Mr. Insung, we gave him some "pasalubong" from the Philippines.

*photo cr: Rio House Facebook Page*

We were rushing to find a place to eat. As much as we want to roam around the area first, no can do, our tummies were mad hungry already. I forgot the name of the restaurant where we had our first meal, hahaha! But it looks like this from the outside:

Our first meal in Korea was Budae Jjigae:

*photo cr: http://www.kekxified.tumblr.com*

*only group photo. hahaha!*

The food was a little spicy even if we said to the kind ahjumma not to make it spicy. :) What I love about eating at a Korean restaurant (even back in the Philippines) is the amount of banchan (side dishes) they serve, that alone can satisfy my hunger. My favorite banchan served is called Gyerran Jjim (steamed egg). Or was I just biased because I have this love for eggs since I was kid. Nah. It was really tasty! We ordered three sets of Budae Jjigae and endless amount of bap (rice) along with the banchan. And each person paid for 9,000₩ (Php 366).

Leaving the place with our stomachs full we headed back to our guesthouse to rest and unpack. Also to pay for our stay, kkk. For a room with 6 people and two (2) egg wifi rental and stay for 11 DAYS & 10 NIGHTS our total bill was: 1,702,000₩ (Php 69,193). Each person paid: 283,666₩ (Php 11,532). Given the price, we already have our own kitchen in the room, the bathroom's also ensuite. :) (The price is cheap considering we are in Seoul.)

Here's what our room looks like, the following photos are from the official website of Rio House. (We forgot to take a photo and immediately crashed the place. haha sorry!)

I was spazzing when I saw the movie poster in front of our hostel. OH MY GOD!!!

*Tazza 2 Movie Poster! Tabi is always there to greet me every morning HAHA!*

Imagine waking up to this view for 10 days? Huhuhu! OTL I was in a state of fangirl heaven. Plus Mr. Insung even gave me a picture frame with TOP's photo, EOTTOKEEEEE!!!

Whew, enough of spazzing. We left our bags at the guest house already and started to look for money changer. Based on my research, you can find the best bang for your buck in Myeongdong.

And to Myeongdong we go!

*OMG TABIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!*

*I spot Mr. Kwon Jiyong! Waaaa! And my favorite ex-member of SNSD, Jessica*

*Skinfood's products here are so cheap OTL What is money? Where is money?*

We roamed around Myeongdong for a while and was overwhelmed with the amount of cosmetics shops in the area. It's a paradise for shopaholic like me. hahaha! I was able to buy a brand new shoes in Les More for only 5,000₩ (Php 203) the original price was roughly 69,000₩ (Php 2,805). Definitely a steal!

(insert shoes photo)

So back to the money changer, haha (My mind so cluttered, haha) Exhange rates go up and down really fast so you better act fast also. We managed to exchange 1USD to 1,018₩, compared to the airport which was roughly 900₩.

After an hour or two, we already went back to our guest house to catch some zzzzz. Our day is not yet over. We're still going to the My Love from the Star Exhibit. Haha! Fighting!

HOW TO GET HERE:

RIO HOUSE HONGDAE

Address: 175, Yanghwaro, Mapo-gu, Donggyo-dong, Seoul, South Korea 121-816

Directions: Hongik University Station Line 2, Exit 2

Map:

MYEONGDONG

Directions:

1. Myeongdong Station Line 4, Exit 6. OR

2. Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station Line 2, Exit 5. (We used this way most of the time so that it saves us time because we don't have to change lines since Hongik Station is also in Line 2.)

-뿅 :D