Busan

Busan is South Korea's second largest city (and largest port), and it feels pretty different from Seoul. The pace is more relaxed, and it's easier to walk from district to district (although my feet weren't happy after walking from Chinatown to the fish market). What was most different though, was the abundance of greenery (actually, white flowers, as it was cherry blossom season). There were plants everywhere. While part of this is because of its location nearer to actual wildlands, it's clear that there has been quite a bit of effort to bring nature into the city.

While there, we visited Haeundae Temple (see above), which was an absolutely stunning temple right next to the water. It was full of visitors (there was a festival coming up), but still incredibly beautiful.

In addition, we spent a fair amount of time wandering in markets. Clothing and food are surprisingly cheap here (although not so much as in Hong Kong), so wandering and eating is very common. There's some absolutely delicious street food you can get- mandu (dumplings), all sorts of stews, almost as many things on a stick as at the state fair (including hot dogs that are covered in fries, then fried), and festival pastries. It's quite the experience. Although, to be fair- I did not eat anything from the cart below.