JP Meets JP: January 2014

Happy New Year!

So It's a bit belated - but happy new year! I spent it in Tokyo with a few mates and it was a blast!
Went to Hokkaido on New Years Day and snowboarded it up for a few days - good friends, good times. Hard to beat really.

In a country which doesn't celebrate Christmas, and New Years is more about putting money into a shrine than it is about family or friends, it makes you realize that culture is really just what you're brought up to believe.
I hope the trend of commercialization of these holidays doesn't continue. Two consecutive years away from family helps you realize what's actually important about this time of year at least.

Have a great and happy new year everyone. May we all plod along and continue to experience this journey that is life. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8x8hWVRCDc&hd=1

Korea - Seoul

Seoul was a nice city. Although it was a bit cold, we were actually lucky with the weather. The city has hundreds of markets always open, it's cheap, it has some good historical sights, and always seems bustling with young people. Lots of universities, a good economy, crazy good nightlife. It's a city that is comfortable and well organized and could be easily lived in. Really recommend it!

Korea DMZ - North Korea

Ever since the cold war the country has been arbitrarily divided by International court. North Korea allied with Russia and China, and South Korea with the USA and other western powers. The difference between the two countries is astonishing as any glimpse into today's modern media on the subject will tell you.

To encourage more peace, the two countries have a 'demilitarized zone' either side of the border which has been successful in preventing skirmishes and border crossings. A tour group allows you to visit some areas of the DMZ and learn a bit about the history, as well as visit the tunnels which were discovered of North Korean's trying to make their way into the country. An interesting historical insight, even if it felt slightly biased.

Korean Food

This Christmas I took a trip across the water over to the other side of Asia - Seoul, South Korea.
The country feels a little more asian than Japan, with more markets, cheaper prices and a little more chaoticness compared to the sterile orderliness of Japan.
At the same time though, the country is extremely clean, efficient and western friendly.
It creates a nice blend of cultures and comforts that allow an excellent experience. The people are more relaxed with cultural inhibition and are extremely friendly too. I thoroughly enjoyed Korea and I hope to travel it in the future again.