A Window into North Korea for Commuters

At Dolgoji station line 6 where we always take as a transfer station whenever we go to campus or school, there is this small exhibits on the North Korea and the history of Korea-South dynamic (to tone it down!) relation. 

Passers-by could just see and read the inscription or explanation about the pictures as they are displayed.

It's one of the ways Subway line 5,6,7, 8 gives extra service to Seoulites.

Something's Changing @ Seoggye Station's Transfer Corridor

Well, though we usually take a bus to go from home to campus or school, at times we take subway. It's been a while since the last time we got to transfer via Seoggye station. Along the transfer corridor, it used to be so dull...but now..the dullness is somewhat reduced by the effort of the management. 

Yup, they put lots of flowers in arrays of pots along the walking elevator. 

Just when we're walking pass the corridor, the flowers were being watered.

Nice effort, though.

Gangnam Station (DX Line) part 1

First time riding the DX line. It's the new subway line operating as a commuter line between Bundang and Gangnam. Even the tagline of its service is "It's only 16 minutes from Bundang to Gangnam"--which is considered as the downtown of Seoul for Bundang area. 

So, the operational service of this new line is an added value for those living in and out of Bundang--when it comes to reaching the Gangnam area.

I just so happened to find out about it when I was going home after taking a Sunday-walk. 

Intrigued by the numerous artistic installation perked on the walls across the station, I started to take as many pictures as possible... 

Since it's relatively new, I had a hunch that this is a bit deserted for a new line this impressive. 

One of the characteristics of this DX line is that it is fully automated. No one operates the train, but the computer. *correct me if I am wrong. Coz this is only based on what I saw on both ends of the trains. It's just glassed-wall through which I could see the whole line and rail-tracks along the way. 

And It's a new color of subway that I have ever been into.

The color of the seats and the central pole into which people would dangle tight when it's crowded....IF there would be one.^^--which I bet there is--considering this is a Gangnam-bound train. 

And the feel of freshly new operated station emanated from its shining silver-like floors, ceilings, and pillars.... 

it's just creepily cool!!!

now let's see the video I managed to take from within.

ouch that's too short...now let me get the longer one:

opps it's even shorter. Oh..gosh..I am afraid I may have deleted the longer version.

Blimey....!!

Got Lost....again.

I always said to myself that I would never...ever take a bus ride anymore from places unfamiliar. But..more often than not..I broke my own promise. and this is what happened to us (me and Freya) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.

We took the bus number 202 from Hwigyeong near Freya's school with an assumption that this bus would take us to Hwarangdae.

But...it went on and on..into the suburban and got ourselves lost right until Toegyewon station. 

We would have gotten lost farther had I not decided to get off the bus at the nearest station possible.

*Luckily, Freya just kept on smiling in the midst of chilling and windy afternoon that day.

Freya, I am sorry..for having taken you for such an expected ride.

We were late for about 2 hours and finally got back home by a train at about 5 pm.

We should've been home by 3!!!!!!!!!!

*As I re-checked the bus route again, indeed bus number 202 goes to Hwarangdae, ONLY that it should have been the blue bus, not the green bus that we mistakenly took.

Oh, well...'tis a good thing, though. Now I learned a new place.

Seoul Metro: Environment+Health Campaign

I wonder if many people would notice this signs patched over the exit-entry door of some subways in Seoul. Of course, it looks too simple and not-that-eye catching. But, since they are mostly put on the doors of subways, those standing in front of, next to, adjacent to the door, or those waiting in line to exit from subway must've or might've seen or read at least once about this one. These are posters or public advertisement made by the Seoul Subway or Seoul Metro Management. 

So, what's so eye-catching and good about these? Let me start to scroll this down!

First:  지하철 계단을 오르면 생활이 곧 운동이 됩니다.

10계단을 오르면 1.2 Kcal, 1분이면 12 Kcal

...freely translated into

'Use the stairs in subway (stations) and you'll have your exercise'

'10 stairs equals to 1.2 Kcal, 1 minute equals to 12 Kcal.

The next one is also interesting......

It deals about environment-awareness. 

전철을 타면 매일 매일이 식물일입니다.

인천역에서 서울역까지 전철로 출되근하는 고객님은 

오늘도 2그루의 소나무를 심으셨습니다.

freely translated into...

'Riding a subway everyday is the Day of the Plant' (?)

Those passengers who take subway from Incheon to Seoul Station everyday to their offices

are like planting 2 pine trees each day.

The last one that I found is:

 고객님께서는 <1회용 교통카드>를 사용함으로써

환경보호와 물자절약에 앞서고 계십니다.

freely translated into...

'Any passengers using one-time reusable transportation card 

are the front liners in environmental protection and resource conservation.'

I think this kind of public ads is one of the coo ways to promote such awareness. 

As for me, it also tricks me to learn more about Korean language.^^