Haebangchon, Close to the Sky

It's pronounced HAY bong chone. My new neighborhood.

Here are a few pictures. I like to take a walk along this ridge road and look out toward the neighborhood. Like most of Seoul, and Korea, it's on a hill. Hence, the name of the restaurant, Pres du Ciel (close to the sky).

A little while ago it was the season for picking and drying red peppers, to go in all that kimchi. Space being tight most everywhere, people spread the peppers on their roof or whatever other available surface they can find.

This is a "foreigners' neighborhood." When I first came to Korea I vowed I wouldn't put myself in an expat ghetto. But there's a lot to be said for being able to buy Western food nearby and understand and be understood by local shopkeepers.

Plus, I get stared at less often here.