South Korea: Kimberly Andrade (The Five Senses in Seoul)
The Five Senses in Seoul
Hear – My preferred method of transportation here in Seoul is the bus. Unlike the subway, it allows me to take in the city as I travel. I took this picture as I returned to campus for class, following a trip to the Yeonnam area for breakfast. As I stepped off the bus, I heard the bustle of traffic and the wind blowing fallen leaves over the street. I realized I would miss this sound because it reminded me of all the beautiful neighborhoods in Seoul that I was able to travel to and experience with the help of the bus.
Feel – This picture was taken on one of my usual walks back home in Sinchon. The changing leaves and the ambience of the nearby restaurants always made me feel a sense of nostalgia. When I first captured this picture on my digital camera, I had not expected it to capture the ambience of the city so well. Now, this picture is one of my favorites because it reminds me of a moment where I truly felt a sense of belonging and peace in Seoul: when it felt like a home.
See – When I captured this picture, I had taken a bus to Hongdae after class under the pretense of visiting a cosmetics store. However, when I arrived, I realized that the store I was looking for was not in Hongdae: but I saw something more special. I had not visited Hongdae at sunset much before, so I was awestruck to find out that it was this beautiful and lively on a fall afternoon. I was grateful in the end that I brought myself to the neighborhood at the perfect time.
Taste – On my first visit to Insadong, I was moved by the ambience of the street, specifically, the blend of modern and traditional Korean culture throughout the neighborhood. It was only right that I enjoyed hot Yuja tea at a traditional tea house while taking in the vibrant atmosphere. The sweetness of the warm citrus tea on a chilly fall afternoon was bliss, and I hope to return and experience the traditional culture again.
Smell – Though I was initially reluctant to go on this walk because of the chilly weather, I was hungry and had not figured out Korean food delivery yet. I was walking towards a nearby restaurant when I encountered this beautifully unkempt street blanketed by leaves. I took in the smell of fallen leaves as I walked this path, and I momentarily let go of any negative feelings about the cold and my hunger to enjoy the atmosphere.
Kimberly Andrade
Major: Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI