Election Day: A Trip To Namdaemun

Well yesterday was Election Day, so U-rim and I both had the day off. We traveled to Namdaemun Market and Insadong. We made some purchases, took some pictures, handled some antique dildos...you know, normal tourist kinds of stuff.
It being Friday I have to go into work for one day and then it's weekend time! Woohoo! Darrell's having his 집들이 (house warming party) tomorrow, so tonight neither of us will get our drink on heavily. I don't know what I'm going to do this eve...


This is the Korean political machine in action. Sometimes the better campaigns will have more than just this one guy singing and dancing.


For some reason my girlfriend thought it would be a good idea to wear some house socks (kind of like Korean Totes toasties) with high heels. I think she just didn't realize she had them on when she put on her shoes, as she took them off when I pointed and asked, "U-rim what are you doing there?"


Damn auto toilet! You never have enough coins when you really need to use it!


Here is some fellow sporting some panty hose for men. He was walking around near Namdaemun (남대문 / 南大門) when U-rim snagged this picture. Some lady in a coffee kiosk saw her take the picture and started laughing. I later bought coffee from said lady.


This is Namdaemun. It's the South Great Gate fools! Don't be steppin' to that shit yo!
이것은 남대문(南大門 )이에요. 야 바보들, 이것은 굉장히 좋아!


This is 돼지 머리 (Dweeji mori [Pig Head]). I saw this at Namdaemun market and inquired as to what this item was for. I was told it is a foodstuff that, unlike the dog meat stew, is enjoyed by people of all ages, gender, and socio-economic classes.


This is a picture of 인삼 (insam [ginseng]) being sold by a vender in Namdaemun Market. Used primarily for as a medicine due to the health values it has, Korean ginseng is famous throughout the world...or at least in China, because between my house and the subway station there is a ginseng company or shop or something that always has bus loads of Chinese tourists coming and going.


Here I am in Namdaemun Market, trying on a 갓 (gat). That hat was worn by people of importance (much like myself) long ago.


I'm speechless here. Really I can't comment on this at all. Just look at it.


Here I am giving my seal of approval to a porn theater in Namdaemun (남대문). I think it catered to Japanese businessmen since the loud speakers were yelling some nonsense in Japanese. Like, "さすが日本語會話!!!!" (Please note I have no idea what that says aside from something about Japanese language [日本語]. I just found some random Japanese and cut and paste to make a point, though I now forget what that point was..oh well). Anyhow U-rim and I took pictures of ourselves infront of the pornographic posters out front, and I think frightened away a customer. Some middle-aged dude in a suit headed towards the enterance, but after seeing us pointing at the posters and laughing turned around. Hahaha! Dude needs to learn how to download so he doesn't have to be subjected to such shame again.


Inside this speedo one will find a nice wory. That's a promise the shopkeeper was willing to make.


So I go to Insadong (인사동) with my girlfriend. Insadong is an area that's loaded with shops sell traditional wares, and antiques, and things uniquely Korean. We are wandering around looking at antiques and such and at one merchant, among the Buddhas, and old coins, were these old dildos. My personal favorite was the one shaped like a tiger.


No comparison! Oh shit I just realized that this country being the sanitary land that it is, probably never cleaned this thing....ewww! That's got some juices on it that are probably as old as America.......EWWWW!!!


This guy made traditional candy (the name of which I've forgotten) in Insadong (인사동). While he made this candy, he used those giant, old school scissors and a chisel to bang out a funky beat. He was awesome. Also check the quasi-Member's Only jacket on the homie next to him.

And here's an old picture.


This is the Bokjeong subway station (복정역) sign. It was at this station that I first met U-rim. I was on the train already and she got on here and sat next to me.