I've made it to the Incheon airport with very little time to spare this morning. I am flying to Shanghai with a stop over in Osaka. I am taking a personal trip visiting friends and colleagues in Shanghai and will return to the Bay Area next Wednesday through connections in Seoul and LA.

Seoul has impressed me in many ways. Prior to the trip, I was told that as a city, Seoul is not very glamorous; it is more functional and practical than extravagant. Well, after spending five days in Seoul, I somewhat agree with that previous statement. Seoul might not have the mile-high skyscrapers like NYC or Shanghai, and might not have nearly as many flashing neon lights as Tokyo, but Seoul has a lot of its own charms. As a foreigner, here are few things that caught my eyes:

• Korean cars are nice!! Sure, KIA and Hyundai cars have entered the American market for years, but the Korean cars have been tainted with a discount-car image, usually aesthetically challenged and/or sub par performance. I have never considered owning one or even know any of my friends who has one... The cars on the streets of Seoul are mostly Korea made, Hyundai, Daewoo, KIA and even Samsung (with very very few Japanese cars, and plenty of German automobiles), and let me tell you, they kept the best looking models to themselves. It was pretty obvious that the Koreans have replicated other brands such as Honda, Mercedes-Benz; some models were indistinguishable when parked side-by-side with a foreign made popular model such as the Benz S600. They really should export some to the US, such as the Equus model by Hyundai, it is one fine car!
  
• Red lights served no purpose after sunset. Everyone was running the red lights. A taxi driver we once had even swirled and passed a police car, sped up and run a red light, and the police didn’t even care!!
  
• Drink and driving is a big NO NO in Seoul, zero tolerance enforced. We have seen many traffic barricades where the cops force breath alcohol tests to all the cars on the road. I guess the Seoul police enforce regulations after all. :-)
  
• Socializing in Seoul is expensive! A regular bottle of beer would normally cost 10,000 wok (or equivalent of $10 USD), and a dish is commonly upward $20+! Granted, the service is excellent, so you feel somewhat justified for breaking the bank.
  
• Impeccable service! At Shilla hotel (one of the top hotels in Seoul, if not the best), great service is expected since we paid beaucoup dollars for the room. However, even street vendors were very helpful and polite. It appears to me that no matter what the occupation was, the person at the job took great pride in it, great attitude!!