Showing posts with label Seoul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seoul. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Replacing a Broken T-Money Card

Had a rare day off today.  I had been planning for weeks to visit Seoul and get a refund on a broken T-Money card.  I loaded a lot of change on it, so I was well over the 20,000 refund limit offered by select convenience stores.

When I researched it, I discovered that their main office is right outside EXIT 10 at SEOUL STATION.  Once I went up the escalator at the exit (past some guys doing electrical work on an OPEN circuit), I ended up in a tiny courtyard.  Went up the stairs to street level and walked less than 100 meters to the Seoul City Tower.

After walking in the front door, it wasn't hard to this office: T-Money Town.

I was in and out in less than a minute! I just had to write my name and sign. She kept the card and gave me the cash. She even spoke a bit of English. 99% travel time, 1% business.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Deodorant AND Rootbeer??

One of the best places for hard to find stuff is a little grocery store with a certain NYC curb appeal in Itaewon, Seoul.




Located just south of Itaewon station, the recently remodelled Foreign Food Mart carries many foreign staples.  Much of what's here comes from India and south Asia, but there are some good American products here too.  Gillette deodorant (stick) and Mug rootbeer are regularly in stock, along with lasagna noodles and mac & cheese.  While the prices can be about double what you'd expect to pay in the US, it still doesn't cross the line into the outrageous.  While it's pretty far away from my home, the KAF is near zero because I always know what to expect. ^^

I've never been there when it hasn't been crowded.  It is a tight squeeze!

Here is a blog that has a few pictures from inside the store, before it was remodeled

For what it's worth, there is also another foreign market across the street.  It is a smaller, but it is brighter and cleaner.  It's also worth a look! ^^

  

Sophisticated Bike Rentals ^^

I stumbled upon a very sophisticated bike rental system outside exit 10 at Yangjae Station (양재역) yesterday.  I don't have the slightest idea how it works, but it looks pretty cool.  The bikes seem to have been specifically built for public use based on how they attach to the stands, how the lock is built into the frame, and how the back wheel fender prevents the wheel from being removed. (don't get a flat! ^^)






Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - ,, No comments

The Best Pizzas in Seoul

Photo Credit: Korea Times

The Korea Times posted a great article about where to find the best pizza in Seoul.  Korean pizza is sometimes loaded with potatoes, bulgogi, shrimp, even noodles!  Finding a nice Italian style pizza is always a treat.

Impress your tastebuds and your friends!  The article includes addresses and hours!!

Gangnam: Pizzarium di Roma, Grano, The Kitchen: Salvatore Cuomo

Jongno: Oz's  Kitchen, Daejangjangi (Blacksmith) Hwadeok Pizza 

Mapo: Spacca Napoli

Seodaemun: Pizza Island

Yongsan: Pizzeria D’Buzza, The Pizza Peel, Pizzarium di Roma, La Tavola

Monday, April 23, 2012

Musical Instruments

When I first arrived in Korea, I was desperate to get my hands on a guitar.  I found a few places to look.  The place that everyone talks about is Nakwon.  It is right outside exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga (lines 1 and 5) subway station.  (See location link at bottom)



I found a few nice stores, but the whole experience is pretty overwhelming.  Few pieces even had price tags, which made it especially difficult for me as a foreigner.  I went there two days in a row and still didn't buy anything.  Later, I did find a Roland dealer who gave me a great price on a Street Cube (same price as US).

For online deals, there are a few good websites:

Mule  - Most popular online used gear and forum page. (no English ㅠ.ㅠ)

School Music - very popular online music store - also located in I'Park Mall inside Yongsan subway station. map & pictures

Angel Sound - This is the Roland dealer inside Nakwon that I found easy to work with. 

Music Force - The most high-end store I've ever been to, anywhere.  Located in Gangnam, it is a collection of several stores (one for bass, one for electric guitar, one for acoustic guitar, etc.) on the same block.  You will need to be buzzed in, but they are very friendly.  I did some sloppy research before I went the first time and ended up outside their locked main office instead of their retail space.  Be sure to look further down the street for big outdoor signs.

Craigslist  - Used gear sold mostly by English speakers.  Mostly low end with the occasional hard-to-find high end piece.

Interpark  - This site is a bit like Amazon.  For a special piece, find it here and look up the address at the bottom of the listing page.  I was able to get a powered Yamaha speaker for a cash discount even lower than the posted online price.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012