In all of the major tourist places I went, Japanese was much more common than English. In many of the shops I went to, they assumed I was Korean first (I guess I don't wear the kind of doll-like makeup that seems to popular with Japanese girls) but when I indicated that I didn't understand, and said that I am from the U.S. they usually looked troubled. But then if I said I spoke Japanese, all of the shopkeepers spoke at least a few simple Japanese words and some were quite fluent. Particularly in Insadong and Myeong-dong (touristy art street and shopping area). One vendor in Insadong selling handmade candy even had a whole routine complete with small jokes and puns in Japanese demonstrating how the candy is made. They also played up to the Japanese omiyage custom...so many Japanese tourists in Korea!
The top image is from Changdeok-gong, of the Japanese tour I went on (it fit better with my schedule). There must have been a hundred people, and the Korean tours before and after had about ten people apiece.
Also, Snow White is pretty curvy in South Korea, her skirt's also shorter. This is an apple juice pouch.
No comments:
Post a Comment