WHERE IN THE WORLD: INCHEON/SEOUL SOUTH KOREA

WHERE IN THE WORLD: INCHEON/SEOUL SOUTH KOREA

By George Fontana

Our ship entered the protected port of Incheon, South Korea via a single lock. Once inside, we docked at Korea’s oldest Western-welcoming port. Today the country’s third largest city, Incheon is the commercial hub for Seoul, and much of the rest of South Korea. Although initially skeptical, John and I attended a popular Seoul attraction – “Nanta”. Best described as the Korean equivalent of Blue Men Group (when they were fresh and innovative, not today’s mini-conglomerate), Nanta features four very talented actors-drummers-chefs who incorporate slapstick, acrobatics, traditional “Samulnori” drumming, some real slicing/dicing/cooking and large dollops of humor in their non-verbal performance. We departed early to avoid the congestion of a massive street demonstration based on the impending impeachment of South Korea’s President.  John was the star pupil at a cooking class in an ultra modern culinary institute in the heart of downtown Seoul (and one block from the ongoing political demonstration). Later we toured the bustling Kwang Jang covered market, one of the largest in the world. An economic powerhouse, South Korea’s GDP is bolstered by such familiar names as Samsung, Honda, and Kia.In stark opposition to their demure neighbors just across the Sea of Japan, the Koreans impressed us as in-your-face outspoken, energetic, forward looking and forward moving. Kimchi, anyone?

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