N Seoul Tower

On seeing 'N', what would you associate it with? North or northern, right? That's the nationally accepted abbreviation for N, right? That's why when I see 'N Seoul Tower', I always wonder why N Seoul Tower. Is there a S Seoul Tower? To my knowledge, Seoul isn't divided into N Seoul and S Seoul but River North and River South (강북 & 강남). Why N?

Had it not been for Evelyn, I wouldn't have been able to solve the mystery. N is not for north but Namshan (남산), the mountain where the tower is. How does a first-time N Seoul Tower visitor know about it? Strange! You know, despite the six-year stay in Seoul, she isn't the type of person who knows much about the place she's resided, not to mention, specific information like this. When she told me N was for Namshan, I asked how she knew about it. She pointed to the plaque on the wall. Ah! It was that plaque which hinted her the answer. On the plaque, Namshan Seoul Tower was written. As simple as that! 

Today, Evelyn, Doh Doh and I went on an excursion to Namshan Tower. It was their virgin tour but my Nth one. (This N has nothing to do with Namshan, mind you!) To walk up to the cable car station, we were met by various 'aunties'. They were trying to help us out in applying for Chinese visas or business permits or ......... We'd to keep telling them we were heading for Namshan, not the Chinese Embassy. Chinese people are really good at making money. That's why they can survive in every corner of the world.

The cable car station didn't impress our Mrs Lee. Yeah! It needs renovation. Mr Lee, work harder for a nicer cable car station for your dear wife and darling daughter. How? If you pay more revenue, the Korean government will have the money to make it the grandest one on earth. "The cable car ride's no comparsion to Ngong Ping 360," commented Mrs Lee. To me, all cable car rides are horrible. None of them has ever brought me fun but always fright. 

Whosoever with me can always meet unexpected surprises and experience what other people can't. This time too. Today, it so happened there was a free Korean traditional costume experience in Namshan Park. All visitors were welcomed to try the clothes on and took pictures with the guards. (Of course those guards were in costume.) Doh Doh Mom might have made Doh Doh a Chosun princess and herself a Chosun queen if I hadn't said this, "No, so many people have worn them before." Anyhow, they did take pictures with the Chosun guards.

The lover locks hung on the fence was really a sight. Wow! So many couples have come and made their vows on the locks and tied them there. Can the locks really help them secure their love? I doubted. I teased Doh Doh. I told her to tie love locks with her little boy friend 희산 on the tree next time when they come here. Her mom 'criticized' me for always teaching Doh Doh to do something outside her age. Mrs Lee, if I don't teach her, you think she doesn't know. Don't underestimate your daughter's wisdom.

To give ourselves a grand prize, we decided to have lunch in the famous Namshan Tower Revolving Restaurant. Thus we bought the special lunch package. On reaching the Observatory Deck, I looked for the staircase to the Revolving Restaurant. Just then, I saw the sign for Han Restaurant. 'Click!' I remembered when we purchased the ticket, it said Han Restaurant not the Grill so which meant we wouldn't be able to enjoy our lunch in the revolving deck but having our meal in the Korean style restaurant two floors below. What big fools we were!

The lunch in Han turned out to be quite a nice one. We could order one entree from the menu and enjoyed the salad bar, to be more exact, the Korean side dish bar (반찬). It's got my favourite Korean vermicelli (잡채), brown seaweed (미역) and spicy cuttlefish salad (오징어) and many others. Even without the main dish, the side dishes could fill our stomach full to the throat. Of course, I filled mine to the throat and thus I could skip dinner. The panoramic view outside the window, the wide varieties of food,the hearty chat and Miss Doh Doh's witty remarks made the lunch a very pleasant one.

With a full-filled stomach, we slowly strolled round the Observatory Deck looking at Seoul out of the huge glass. If it had not been for that haze, we could have enjoyed a more fabulous view of the city. But no complaint, what we could see today was more than satisfactory. Among us all, Doh Doh should be the happiest one. Her mom bought her a bag of candies. To kids, candies are always more welcome than the view outside the window.

Down to the ground again, we were to visit the Teddy Bear Museum. But before we made to the ticket booth, we were attracted by the flags and music in the square. My natural instinct told me an 'event' was going on. I went up to ask the staff what it was. He told me there was going to be a show of Korean martial art at three o'clock. We looked at the watch. It was just a few minutes before three. Of course, we found ourselves a good seat and waited for the show to start. It was a half-hour show. Good? No comment! Anyway, pale by comparison to Chinese martial art. But to a free show, should we all give applause to the performers as a token of appreciation? We did clap our hands hard. 

Our next stop was the Teddy Bear Museum, the one highly recommended by Singki. Good as it was described? If you ask me, I'll say it doesn't worth the price of 8000 won. But if you're a super fan of teddy bears, you'll be happy to see so many of them inside the exhibition hall telling you the history of Korea. Singki said there was a Bae Yong Jun teddy bear but after a carpet search, we saw none. Can we ask for a refund? "Singki, money back!"

Mrs Lee, thanks for the blackberry & raspberry smoothie. A Twosome Place always offers thirst quenching drinks. The smoothie came at the best time. I was thirsty to death. That was why in your two-minute toilet call time, I finished the whole drink without leaving one drop. Sorry that you weren't given a chance to taste it.

The sun was setting. It was time to go home. Mr Lee was waiting for his dinner. Mrs Lee should go home and assume her duties as a faithful housewife. If not, she might get fired. Just kidding! Anyway, we took a final glance at the tower and Seoul down beneath. Then we boarded the cable car and made our journey back to reality - the hustle and bustle Myeong-dong.

The way back to the subway station was the hardest to Mrs Lee. Why? Our Miss Doh Doh's legs were too tired to walk. If she didn't want to do the walk, who would do the walk for her? Of course her dear mom. Our great Mrs Lee, thus, carried the princess first in her arms but when the weight was getting too much for the arms, the super mom made the princess a seat on her back. Wow! Mothers! Oh mothers! Thumbs up!

This is probably the last time I can see the two of them before I fly home. Ay! With the tight schedule I've got, it mightn't be easy to squeeze another time for even a brief gathering. Anyway, if possible, do hope to play with Doh Doh one more time. If time doesn't allow that, let's meet in Hong Kong. This time, I'll cycle you to see the swans. A promise!

Doh Doh! Don't run away from school any more! Be a nice girl! Mrs Lee, give Doh Doh a brother or a sister. You can do it. 힘내!