The Coffee Shop

How does one describe an indescribable moment? A mesmerizing day..

Have been to many coffee shops earlier, but this one was something special, probably the one whose memory I would love to take along to the other side of my grave.

I am here in South Korea for couple of weeks and weekends are gateway to some beautiful places in this country. The day I landed, after checking in the hotel I went for a stroll. Lovely weather, clean streets lighted buildings as a typical Western city Downtown. But this seemed a bit different and over the few days I could find what’s different. Though Seoul city seems to have adopted everything like the West, especially USA, the infrastructure, the roads, buildings etc. but there is so much warmth in the behavior of people here. As I say the West has Coffee culture (sortta- mind one’s own business and kindda self-centered) but The Koreans have the Tea Culture (like most countries of East) warmth in behavior, helpful. But yeah every 200 meters you still find a coffee shop here J J

We quickly learnt the quickest and cheapest way of traveling in Seoul – by their Subway trains.

So weekend trips included Gyeongbokgung PALACE, a wonderful museum which walked us through the entire history of Korea. The nearby Myeongdong market was a good place to do some street shopping and hog some street food.

Seoul Tower was also a lovely place , especially the performance the Local artists put in.

Their unique percussion instruments and dance alongwith it plus the martial art show was a thing to really watch. The Coex mall , the aquarium there is a nice place to visit.

But nothing beats today's visit to the Namhansanseong palace fort.

With my Israeli friend Reuven, we headed towards the fort. On reaching it was already snowing light.

Mist and chill was in the air.
After visiting the main palace building, we hiked our way
for around an hour to reach the Korean Wall.









It was so beautiful on top there.

Walking along the wall , talking to strangers , the visitors there..it was a lovely time.

One spot just mesmerized me , on the edge of the valley , all surrounded by mist , purest of the air , the cold around , trees all bare with the arrival of winter , snow flakes landing down at their own slow pace , absolutely now other sound other than that of peace.

Like a kid in candy shop , I started clicking pics to capture the moment , with my dslr with my mobile camera , doing various settings n panorama n whatnot…When I realized that its simply impossible to capture this moment this peace in the images.

Sat there for some moments. And yeah it was just peace. Like just being one with the nature with the moment , like deep meditation. Those mesmerizing moments !!

Going ahead we saw a small area with lovely Korean style houses , having coffee shops n restaurants.

Freezing with cold , a cafe attracted us.

Placed my foot inside and it felt so amazing. A small fireplace with wood burning itself for us to provide a wonderful warmth , it was like a kid feeling warmth in his mother’s embrace. We were welcome by sweet “Hwanyeong” , that’s welcome in Korean.

The place was simple , decorated with small household toys  n items , a lovely small plant  , few Korean books around. The cosyness , the warmth simply made me fall in love with the place.
















A sweet old man came n greeted us.
He was the owner of the café. It was so wonderful to talk to him.

With his broken English and with gestures we were conversing.
When I told him I am from India and
its my first trip to korea and I have met lovely people here
 , he was so touched  , could see a sweet tinkle in his eyes.

He gently held my hand , same like my grandpa used to do.
A chord striking between two souls.

After a wonderful coffee and few pictures we left , but I am carrying this beautiful set of memories as a gift from Korea. A gift which is simply priceless , a gift which is gonna stay with me forever.