Musical Instrument Mall

I was walking on a major street yesterday, Jongno Street, and I turned at a corner just to get away from the crowd. I found myself on unfamiliar streets, narrow sidewalks, pork restaurants every few feet. It was becoming twilight and I wanted to get home. It was slightly unsettling to see all those pigs’ feet and snouts sitting out in the baskets in front of the restaurants. I knew where I was generally and where the hotel was but I then came to a very busy street. There was no cross walk and no underground passage that would allow me to get to the other side of the street. I thought I would have to walk back to Jongno Street, going out of my way, just to get to the hotel.

There was this giant concrete structure above the busy street, but I didn’t know what it was. Was it some kind of enclosed elevated train? Not likely, but the structure had no windows and the steps leading up to it were well worn and it looked like the kind of place people might go if they were escaping the law. I saw a couple of people go up the steps and into the building. They seemed like regular people and I do feel quite safe here in Seoul. So I decided to walk up the concrete stairs and take a peek inside. (Something I would never do in the United States).

I got up there and walked through the door and I was so surprised. I saw pianos, lots of pianos, new pianos. What was going on here? It was a giant musical instrument mall. Violins and guitars and wind instruments, I thought of my daughter Rebecca and how much she would like to be here to see this. I thought about how much Anita liked to play the piano and her musically talented family. So I'm glad to be able to share these photos.

It was another interesting discovery for me. By the way, I made it back to the hotel in just a few more minutes after I left the mall. Seoul continues to surprise me.