This past weekend, I went to Seoul for Club Day (that's what they call it, even though it should be Club Night).  It's in Hongdae on the last Friday of every month.  For 15,000 won ($12.50 USD), you get a bracelet that lets you into 15 different clubs in that area.  In addition, you also get a free drink at the bar where you bought the bracelet.  I went by myself because other people were busy or sick.  I wondered what it would be like, going clubbing my myself.  I know that if I went to a bar by myself, it would be strange.  If I was backpacking by myself, I'd do it out of necessity, but I haven't had to since I've been in Korea.  I went to Seoul, knowing that it wouldn't be bad, because I'd be dancing and not needing to talk to anyone. 

I was going to stay in Itaewon because it was the cheapest place for a single room that I knew.  Places in Sinchon are a whole lot nicer, but I didn't want to cough up 50,000 for a room by myself.  I was pretty lucky, because I found a guesthouse online.  Kim's Guesthouse had an opening, and a single room was 27,000, still cheaper than Itaewon and closer to where I would be that night.  It's in Hapjeong, which is two subways stops away from Hongdae.  When I got there I met three other Americans - a military guy, and two female English teachers visiting for the weekend from Japan.  In the living room were also two Japanese backpackers.  The two girls almost went with me to Club Night, but they wanted to get up early to see the sights of Seoul the next day.  Overall, it was a nice hostel, and I'd definitely go back again. 

Outside of the Kim's Guesthouse	My room
The living room	The kitchen

I went to Hongdae around 11:30 pm, and just walked around at first.  (A map of clubs in Hongdae)My second club was Hodgepodge, which I REALLY liked!  It was a great mix of music - hip hop and dance pop.  I was really surprised because the club was 75% Asian, and 25% foreigners (not military).  It was great to see all the people in the club cheer and sing along to "Like a Virgin" and Radioheads "Creep".  What was also great about the club was that there wasn't attitude, like there was at Stompers (another club in Hongdae).  Sure, I could see the guys checking out girls, but they weren't sneeking up and grinding on them, like they would at Stompers.  It was nice to actually dance and enjoy the music, instead of always being on the defensive about guys.  I was there for a couple hours and pulled myself away from that club because I felt I needed to take advantage of the night and check out other clubs.  I ended up checking out about five more places, but eventually decided to go back to the hostel because my feet were starting to hurt from dancing.  I thought I'd have a good time out, but it turned to be a really good night out by myself! 

Check-out at the guesthouse was 11:00, but I ended up having coffee and toast, and checking my mail until noon.  I then went to Costco (Line 5, Yeongdeungpo-gu Office, exit 3).  I didn't get too much this time.  The newest thing they now stock are - whole black olives!!!  The next day, I opened up a can, and popped them like they were candy.  28 grams of fat - straight to the hips.  Oh well...

  A polish dog & drink = 2000 won. 

Then I went to Kyobo bookstore (Line 5, Gwanghwamun, takes you straight to the door).  After Kyobo, I took a quick detour to KNTO (Korea National Tourism Organization), and noticed a lot of buses with police in them.  In the 2nd picture below, the police stopped traffic so they could make an illegale u-turn and park by Kyobo.  There were TONS (tonnes to Canadians) of police standing or sitting around - waiting for something.


I was really amazed by the whole thing and wondered what was going on???  Was there going to be a riot in downtown later that evening, and they were getting ready for it?  I was a little hesitant at first to take pictures of these guys, because back home, police are... you know... scary.  I asked a Korean person who was also taking pictures of the 5-oh(!), and she said they were just training for potential riots in the future.  How nice... can I get on that mailing list?