While travelling, there are a few things you become accustomed to; eating unusual food, miscommunication between languages and getting lost (a lot). This summer I found myself 5,519 miles from home, alone and in a country where the native language wasn’t English. I embraced the experience whole-heartedly; eating local food and living with a Korean family. More than a holiday this was my strike out for independence.
I was so busy soaking up the atmosphere of the streets of Seoul – I’d hardly thought about home, but a call brought it vividly back and I realised I’d forgotten my parents anniversary – a monumental crime for an only child.
My apology led me on a pilgrimage to the South Mountain ‘NamSan’ . At the top of the 262 metre peak sits the N Seoul Tower. The legend goes; if lovers make a wish at the Namsan Shrine it comes true. Since then the Tower has become an icon where lovers lock a padlock to ensure everlasting love. Today, the base is covered in locks in different sizes and colours. After climbing a multitude of steps, I finally bought my padlock. E-mailing the photo home with the message “Better than a card!”.
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