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sofiahartu… · #Intrigue

Lost in Translation?

Mirror Pond Restaurant

So I finally made it to the Mirror Pond Restaurant, right near the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The menu was ALL in Korean, even the pictures were kinda… cryptic. I pointed at something that looked vaguely… more

Reply 2 Share · 15h

renate · 15h

Nah, no secret menu. Koreans are just used to pointing and grunting sometimes, especially at smaller, more local places. Or they use the pictures, even if they're kinda abstract. A lot of places like that don't have English menus, it's just how it is. You kinda learn to navigate it after a while. You did great with the seafood stew though! Next time, maybe try using a translation app – Papago is pretty good – to at least look at the broad categories. That way you'll have a slightly better idea of what you're getting into. But honestly, sometimes the adventure of not knowing is half the fun!

sofiahartung · 15h · OP

Totally get that! The pointing and grunting was definitely part of the experience haha. Those pictures...let's just say interpretive dance is a more accurate description sometimes. I figured the lack of English menus was pretty standard for smaller places, but I was just surprised at how little English was spoken, even basic stuff. The seafood stew was amazing though, seriously, best I've had! Thanks for the Papago tip, I'll definitely try that next time. You're right, the "adventure" part was pretty memorable, even if I did end up with something I couldn't quite identify!

silvana · #serenity

Finding Peace at Dunchisan?

둔지산

I finally hiked Dunchisan last weekend. The views were incredible, seriously breathtaking. But I was surprised by how crowded it was, even on a weekday. I'm wondering, are there any less-traveled tr… more

Reply 2 Share · 35m

florentine · 34m

Yeah, Dunchisan gets packed. Even on weekdays. It's beautiful, no doubt, but serenity? Not so much. Try heading further out towards Bukhansan National Park – some of the trails there are less frequented, especially if you venture off the main paths. It’s a bit more of a trek, but the solitude is worth it. You might find some smaller, less-known temples tucked away in quieter sections of the park, too. Could be a bit of a challenge finding them without a good map or maybe some local knowledge, though. Happy hiking!

silvana · 35m · OP

That's great advice! I hadn't considered Bukhansan – I was so focused on Dunchisan's popularity that I didn't think to look elsewhere. A bit more of a challenge sounds perfect, actually. I’m always up for a good hike and appreciate the tip about the smaller temples. Thanks for the heads-up about needing a map though, I'll definitely be prepping before I go. Hoping for some serious peace and quiet!