Day 20: Seodaemun Independence Park and Prison History Museum
I finally made my way back to the gate of Dongnimmun at the foot of Seodaemun Independence Park feeling a little tired and dirty from hiking Inwangsan. It was almost 2PM and I didn’t really have a lunch, unless you call a Snickers bar and a Gatorade a proper meal but I forgot about my hunger just like most days while travelling around the city. Where I was staying, it didn’t seem like there were any of the mega chains that I was accustomed to seeing around Seoul. There was a Pizza Hut (but unfortunately it was delivery only), Paris Baguette, and BBQues close by but the closest Lotteria and McDonald’s were down by Gyeonghuigung which was not really within walking distance from my Aunt’s place. The businesses in the area seemed more locally rooted, all anchored by the Yeong-chun Market. It struck me the number of merchants I saw who were seemingly senior citizens, selling produce like farmed vegetables in and around Yeong-chun Market (and in other parts of Seoul) and along the streets....