Itaewon Market

 This week I am on vacation and feeling continuously surprised at the things I am discovering. With a little more time on your hands and a relaxed demeanor you can really discover a lot. I can't remember having time like this here in Seoul, as the weekends are usually too short and my vacation days have been spent abroad. This time of exploration made me very excited about my trip coming up in 4 weeks, where I will get to explore numerous places in Southeast Asia.

One day I went to Itaewon for lunch, an area I know very well and have explored often. But somehow I have never known that there was an Itaewon market. There are numerous floors, including an underground section. and everything you can imagine is in a little shop inside. 

 I browsed through the clothes, with there being many trendy and inexpensive ensembles, but then decided not to buy anything else unless I absolutely loved it. After all, I have seen how much stuff I have to take back to the States with me this week as I have begun to pack, and know I do not need to do any frivolous shopping. 

Soon enough I came upon a store that was different than the others. It had many Korean decorations and household items, and something I have always wanted to buy when seen in other places around Seoul but never did: Korean masks.

 These masks are so fun and interesting and made from beautifully hand-carved wood. They have a spark and flare about them but they still scream traditional. I decided I couldn't put off buying one any longer since I am only here for four more weeks, so I decided to purchase this Korean treasure.

 I walked around for hours in this little market and down the streets of Itaewon taking it all in. I kept smiling at how many good times I have had there in the past few years and the fact I never knew this market existed. I was thrilled at my traditional and funky purchase and can't wait to put them up on a wall back at home. My vacation is not only bringing me some rest and peace from my busy life here, but also some special new Korean memorabilia.