Strolling Around 보신각 (普信閣) "Bosingak"

Yup..this is the famous Bosingak pavilion where thousands of people thronged on New Year's Eve to celebrate the ringing of the belfry.  

Of course, we did not go there on New Year's Eve...^^ 

We let the kids roam the vast plaza in front of the Bosingak....  

In front of the famous Jongno Tower. 

It is said that we could go up the 33rd floor to view the whole area..a treat in itself. But, unfortunately I haven't even tried it ..not even once. 

Back to the ground..I saw Trio kwek kwek...ready to go for a walk. 

Along with their toddlers.. 

we spent like...30 minutes or so before going to another section of Jongno or bell street area.

Jongno 3-Ga Exit 3 @ Night

Well.well...well..who would've thought that this street turned into a pojangmaja 포장마자 or street food stall haven as the night fall. Yep, this is the very street that I encountered the other day when I was looking for Youth Hostel where my friend, Adi, were staying. I got to reach exit 3 to reach the hotel..and while at night..the street was relatively calm ...I mean..no 'happening' that could be eye-catching to look at...

but..when the night falls, it all turns into this festivity.

Both on the right and left side of the sidewalks....all kinds of street-food-stalls are set up..and the crowds start to pour in. 

That's exactly where it all began. When you just get out of this exit...you'll find yourself immerse into the commotion.

*worth to try for anyone who's looking for something different in Seoul @ night.

On the Roof of Hostel Korea @ Jeongno

En route to the hotel where Adi was staying. Yup, Adi, my former student and now my colleague at the office back home, was visiting Seoul for one week. He told me that he stayed at Hostel Korea. Hmm...I got to find out where it was...and I learned that as soon as I got out of exit 3 from Jeongno-3-ga station, I could turn right and then left...and just walked down the street full of THESE kinds of shops for about 6 minutes!

wow..I didn't know that there is this one street full of shops selling Korean traditional musical instruments. What a sight. 

okay..long story SHORT, I did find the hostel. Met Adi..and got up to the rooftop of the hostel to have some conversation. 

enjoyed the view for a while.... 

Guess...Seoul was quite a different place from atop the building. Not too high, but..enough to see a different perspective of the jongno area. Oh, this place is quite near to Gyeongbokgung and the Jeongmyeo shrine.... 

Let's take a selfie, Adi.

Hope you had a great time 'vacationing' in Seoul.

젊음의 거리 (Street of Youth)

Hmm, we're going back home after watching the lantern festival and decided to take a different route while trying to find a subway station. 

We ended up bumping into this so called 'street of youth'

located in Jongno area, I got no idea of what's inside.

and.. 

the first thing we found was a row of street vendors ( I am sure they're officially relocated there) that characterize the 500-meter-long street. 

Called 'Pojangmaja' in Korean, I think it's a cool way to experience the outdoor eatery in the makeshift-like tents--which are covered in plastic in Winter like this. I am sure it's effective to ward off the cold or...to trap the heat inside so as to make it warm. 

and we're walking down the street ... 

with brightly lit neon signs that typify most of Korean streets. 

"oops, something just dropped down right in front of 'DOWN town' shop.

what a coincidence!!