The day began early at 6:00 a.m. with a quick workout in the hotel gym, followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. After that, we had an hour or two to rest before heading to our first event of the day—taekwondo. Instead of using a private bus, we took public transportation, which added to the cultural experience. When we arrived, we found the martial arts studio located on the 5th floor of an apartment-style building.
Before stepping onto the mat, we had to remove our shoes and collect our gi, the traditional taekwondo uniform. It consisted of two pieces: a loose-fitting shirt and long pants that allowed for easy movement. We were also given a white belt. The first thing we learned in class was how to punch properly while shouting in a specific way to tense our muscles. We then practiced mobility drills and footwork. Toward the end of the session, we had the chance to break a wooden board with a kick and do some light sparring by trying to touch each other’s shoulders. It was an exciting and memorable experience.
After taekwondo, we visited a museum where we briefly explored Korean artifacts and learned about Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Although it was difficult to grasp, the lesson was engaging and fun. After about 20 minutes, hunger kicked in, and we all agreed to eat lunch at an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant. Korean BBQ involves grilling your own meat at the table and eating it wrapped in lettuce with various sides. The food was absolutely delicious—I ate so much and left feeling incredibly full.
Next, we visited Seoul City Hall, a building with stunning architecture and fascinating features. We learned about its massive vertical garden and how its rooftop, which appears to be made of glass, is actually plastic. The tour guide was incredibly kind and informative. To wrap up the day, we enjoyed a fancy Korean dinner and did some shopping at the vibrant street markets.
