Tiny Trip to Suwon

Two weekends ago, a few friends and I enjoyed leaving Seoul (city of approximately ten million) for the pleasures and restfulness of a smaller city, Suwon (city of approximately one million).  The difference was quite noticeable and very appreciated!  The crowds didn't seem as dense and there was far more open space between the high-rises.

We took the subway from Seoul Station to Suwon Saturday afternoon.  Within the first two or three stops, our train developed mechanical problems and we had to switch to another train. I am so grateful that a man took a few seconds to tell us in English that we needed to switch trains!  Otherwise we would have stayed on that train car, wondering why that particular station was so popular that everyone exited and no one got on...

Once in Suwon we met up with our friend who resides there. She directed us through the stifling humidity to a coffee shop.  It was one of those cute little places that can hold five customers comfortably and ten customers at a bursting maximum.  The coffee shop was at the base of the old city wall.  After finishing our caffeinated refreshers, we paid the seventy cents to climb the wall. 

The climb was easy, but the humidity was heavy and gross. I needed to take a shower after about ten steps, though my heavy backpack could be partly to blame.  There were gatehouses along the stairs, a large bell which one could ring after paying $2 or $3, and a pretty temple at the summit.  We had fun taking pictures (which is really the best excuse for pausing to catch your breath) along the way.

Suwon from the wall

One of the guard houses along the way up

One of the gates

The wall was part of Hwaseong Fortress

My friends

Suwon in the background as I was caught mid-laugh

Jo and I

On the way down

Steph!

View from our dinner restaurant

Saturday night we had Vietnamese food for dinner, attended a "Prayer and Praise" night at an international church, and returned to our friend's apartment to paint our nails and watch movies.