Train to Busan!!
I've always dreamed of visiting as many regions in Korea as possible, and Busan was high on my list, a must-visit. My journey began in Seoul and stretched all the way down to Busan by train, with several stops along the way. I took a flight back to Seoul when the holiday ended. It was such a memorable experience.
Stop 1. Seoul Station
It all started with a long day of discovery and waiting at Seoul Station. I had planned to spend enough time there to explore, take photos, and soak in the atmosphere. Maybe I was too excited for the trip. My train was scheduled to leave in the late afternoon, but I arrived at the station early in the morning. I wandered around, had lunch, took countless pictures, and still had hours to wait. At one point, I asked a station employee if my printed ticket was valid for the trip. She smiled and said it was fine but surprised I had arrived so early.
The area surrounding Seoul Station feels quite international. Many restaurants have menus in English, and it was actually the first time I learned what some Korean dishes are called in English. It makes sense. This area is a common starting point for many foreign travelers. Still, I chose a small, local restaurant for lunch, hoping to experience something more authentic. Even though I had already been living in Korea for over two years at that time. I've always had the desire to do things like a local where I am standing.
As I walked around, I noticed Namsan Tower in the distance. It seemed to appear everywhere: in this corner, behind that building, or right in the center of a small alley. It stood tall above the city, always bringing a beautiful surprise each time it appeared along my way.
Finally, my trip began. On the train, I found myself sitting next to an old man. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing traveling on the first day of the Chuseok holiday. Maybe he was on his way to visit relatives, since he was carrying a big gift in his hand. We didn't talk. I just focused on enjoying my trip and respected the quiet, personal space that people often prefer on the rides.
I was a little surprised to see that some people didn’t have seats and had to stand even on a long-distance KTX train. I had booked my ticket online in advance, and the only option available came with a reserved seat, so I assumed everyone would have one. But since the train was going all the way from Seoul to Busan, many passengers were only traveling shorter distances and got off earlier. For them, standing for a while didn't seem like a big deal.
It was my first time taking the train, so to make sure I didn’t miss my stop, I kept checking to stay on track and on time. I asked the man sitting next to me to confirm my stop. It turned out his stop was the same as mine. After about an hour, we arrived at Cheonan station. When he realized I was a foreigner and new to the area, he kindly offered to help me after we got off the train. Although he didn't speak any English, he asked a group of teenagers nearby to assist me with directions to my hotel. I hadn't asked for help. I felt confident I could figure it out with my map but it was really nice to be looked after.
After saying goodbye, I approached a group of teenager boys standing by their bikes to confirm my hotel address. They didn't speak English either, but they laughed and tried to say something in Korean. They were young and seemed friendly. It felt quite different from my experience with Seoul city boys, who often come across as more confident and stylish, yet give off a sense of distance. These boys felt more real, more honest. I could tell they were still innocent in many ways, and there was something refreshing about that.
It turned out that finding the way to my hotel was more complicated than I expected, with small alleys and long, winding corners. I asked a few locals for help, but I still ended up going back and forth near the station, trying to figure it out on my own. Because of that, I passed by the same group of boys a few more times. They could tell I was struggling, but unfortunately, they couldn't help.
I don’t remember the details exactly, but eventually, I found the way. I had to go back into the station and take a different exit. From there, I headed to the hotel. On the way, I passed by a small river. The area was quiet, with few people around. Finally, I arrived and checked in. The hotel manager had everything ready: my name, the key, and my room as if they had just been waiting for me to arrive and wrap up the day's work. Without even checking my ID, they simply handed me the key. It was a surprise for me. Then I went straight to my room.
To be continued---
Hanoi, July 29, 2025
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