Agar Aku Tidak Lupa: SOUTH KOREA - SEOUL

Assalamualaikum

🔵Next Clara bawa kami jalan kaki dari N Seoul Tower menuju ke Myeongdong.

🔵Suasana jalan raya di Myeongdong.

🔵Kami perasan ada jalur lampu menyala di lantai jalan di laluan melintas, berwarna hijau bila sudah boleh melintas dan berwarna merah semasa menunggu waktu melintas.

🔵Di Seoul, Korea Selatan, beberapa lintasan pejalan kaki menampilkan lampu LED yang tertanam di turapan.

🔹Lampu ini bertindak sebagai isyarat lalu lintas tambahan, yang direka khusus untuk pejalan kaki yang terganggu atau terlalai oleh telefon pintar mereka (sering dirujuk sebagai "smartphone zombies" atau "smombies").

🔹Lampu aras tanah itu kelihatan jelas kepada mereka yang melihat ke bawah pada telefon mereka, memaklumkan mereka apabila selamat untuk menyeberang jalan, tanpa memerlukan mereka mendongak.

🔹Tujuan: Lampu dalam tanah ini dibuat akibat peningkatan jumlah kemalangan pejalan kaki, terutamanya yang melibatkan pengguna telefon pintar, menurut Agensi Polis Metropolitan Seoul. Lampu isyarat dalam tanah ini mula diperkenalkan di Seoul pada 2019 sebagai projek percubaan.

🔹Cara ia berfungsi: Lampu itu biasanya terdiri daripada jalur LED yang tertanam dalam turapan. Ia bernyala merah apabila tidak selamat untuk melintas dan hijau apabila selamat.

🔹Lokasi: Lampu-lampu isyarat tambahan ini dipasang terutamanya di persimpangan jalan, selalunya di kawasan sibuk dan zon sekolah.

🔹Sistem pelengkap: Lampu aras tanah adalah sebahagian daripada inisiatif yang lebih luas yang turut termasuk sistem amaran mudah alih (mobile alert system) yang memberitahu pejalan kaki menghampiri lalu lintas melalui telefon mereka.

🔹Sambutan orang ramai: Walaupun ada yang menyatakan kebimbangan tentang potensi silau dari lampu itu, sistem ini secara amnya telah diterima dengan baik, terutamanya di kawasan yang membimbangkan keselamatan.

🔵Cara-cara lain untuk membenteras masalah "smartphone zombies":

🔹Sistem amaran: Sistem ini mungkin termasuk pancaran laser yang dipancarkan daripada tiang kuasa atau amaran yang dihantar ke telefon melalui aplikasi, yang direka untuk memberi amaran kepada "smartphone zombies" tentang bahaya yang akan berlaku.

🔹Kaki lima khusus: Sesetengah kawasan telah bereksperimen dengan laluan pejalan kaki yang khusus untuk pejalan kaki menggunakan telefon, memisahkan mereka daripada yang lain.

🔹Bandar-bandar lain di seluruh dunia juga telah menggunakan langkah-langkah untuk menangani smombies, seperti lampu turapan dan aplikasi yang membekukan skrin telefon selepas beberapa langkah semasa berjalan.

🔵Lampu LED yang tertanam dalam turapan secara amnya juga sering dirujuk sebagai " in-pavement lights ", "in-road warning lights", atau "sidewalk traffic lights".

🔹Lampu ini biasanya diselaraskan dengan isyarat lalu lintas konvensional dan direka bentuk untuk berkelip, bertukar warna atau lain-lain cara apabila selamat untuk pejalan kaki melintas, memberikan isyarat visual walaupun pejalan kaki melihat ke bawah pada telefon mereka.

🔹Ia boleh disesuaikan dari segi warna, corak, saiz dan bentuk agar sesuai dengan keperluan dan peraturan yang berbeza mengikut Lokasi lampu isyarat itu dipasang.

🔵Several cities around the world have implemented in-pavement or in-road warning lights. Cities with In-Pavement/In-Road Warning Lights:

🔹Bodegraven, Netherlands: This Dutch town was an early adopter, piloting ground-level traffic lights at a crossing near schools.

🔹Augsburg, Germany: Similar to Bodegraven, Augsburg also installed flashing lights embedded in the pavement.

🔹Sydney, Australia: In-pavement lights have been installed at pedestrian crossings.

🔹Dublin, Ireland: New "zombie lights" have been installed at pedestrian crossings to alert distracted walkers.

🔹Cape Town, South Africa: In-road warning lights are used at pedestrian crossings to improve driver awareness.

🔹Various locations in the US: In the spring of 2021, Barcelona City Hall covered 50 sq m of sidewalk with photovoltaic panels, which could potentially be used to power traffic lights or other systems.

🔵Other Approaches to Pedestrian Safety:

🔹Dedicated Mobile Phone Lanes: Bangkok, Thailand, has implemented a "mobile phone lane" at Kasetsart University to separate distracted pedestrians.

🔹Divided Sidewalks: Chongqing, China, has divided a busy sidewalk into two lanes, one for phone users and one for non-users.

🔵This is HBAF Almond Store in Myeongdong, Seoul.

🔹HBAF, which stands for "Healthy But Awesome Flavors," is a prominent Korean brand specializing in flavored almonds and other nut-based snacks.

🔹The stores are known for their wide variety of unique almond flavors, such as honey butter, wasabi, garlic bread, and tteokbokki, catering to diverse taste preferences.

🔵Marching with Clara heading to the street market of Myengdong.

🔵Myeongdong ialah daerah yang vibrant dan sibuk di Seoul, Korea Selatan, terkenal dengan tempat membeli-belah yang meluas, tempat makan yang pelbagai dan suasana yang bertenaga.

🔹Ia merupakan destinasi pelancongan yang popular kerana banyaknya kedai kecantikan dan penjagaan kulit.

🔹Kawasan ini merupakan hab aktiviti dengan gedung serbaneka, kedai berjenama, gerai makanan jalanan dan tarikan kebudayaan.

🔵A Myeongdong street food stall featuring a vibrant display of pre-cut fruits in individual clear cups, possibly containing different combinations of fruits like watermelon, melon, kiwi, and berries.

🔵This stall specializing in Tornado Potatoes, also known as spiral or twisted potatoes.

🔹This popular snack, believed to originate from South Korea, consists of a whole potato cut into a spiral shape, skewered, deep-fried until crispy, and then seasoned.

🔹They are typically seasoned with various flavors like onion, cheese, honey, or chili powder.

🔹The sign in the image indicates a price of ₩5000 (RM15) per piece, which is the South Korean Won.

🔵This stall sells Croissant Taiyaki.

🔹Croissant Taiyaki is a Japanese-inspired dessert that combines the traditional fish-shaped pastry, Taiyaki, with the flaky texture of a croissant.

🔹Instead of the usual pancake batter, it uses buttery croissant dough to create the outer shell, often filled with various sweet or savory fillings.

🔹While Taiyaki is a traditional Japanese treat, Croissant Taiyaki is a more modern twist, gaining popularity in Japan and other countries.

🔹Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, typically filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). Common fillings include red bean paste, chocolate, vanilla custard, and even matcha ice cream.

🔹The exterior is crispy and crunchy due to the baked croissant dough and sometimes a caramelized sugar coating, while the inside is soft and filled with the chosen filling.

🔵There are signboards "Give me the trash - I'll throw it away for you" displayed at the street stalls.

🔵Street vendors in Myeongdong often collect trash from customers to maintain cleanliness and comply with South Korea's waste management system, which prioritizes waste reduction and recycling.

🔹The "pay-as-you-throw" system and the scarcity of public trash cans encourage a culture of responsible waste disposal, and vendors may collect trash to ensure it's properly sorted and disposed of.

🔹While not mandated, this practice has become a common expectation and a part of the overall effort to keep public spaces clean in South Korea.

🔵This street food stall sells "Cheese Kimchi Roll Pork Belly" (치즈김치말이삼겹살), also known as Cheese Kimchi Bacon Roll or Cheese Kimchi Samgyeopsal.

🔹This dish is a popular Korean street food item.

🔹It consists of thinly sliced pork belly wrapped around kimchi, cheese, and sometimes other vegetables like perilla leaves or stir-fried onions.

🔹The rolls are typically grilled or pan-fried until the pork belly is cooked and the cheese is melted.

🔹It's a savory and flavorful combination of spicy kimchi, rich pork belly, and creamy cheese.

🔵This stall sells Pork belly Yaki Noodles (Yakisoba) / Fried soba/ramen with Korea beef bulgogi / Korea bulgogi Japchae.

🔹Yakisoba is a popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish. It typically consists of wheat-based noodles (chuuka soba) stir-fried with meat (often pork), vegetables like cabbage and onions, and a sweet and savory sauce, often similar to Worcestershire sauce.

🔵This Myeongdong street food stall specializes in BBQ lamb and beef sticks, prominently displaying "BBQ Lamb stick food" (양꼬치) and "BBQ Beef Stick food" (소고치) on its banner, along with their prices (₩9000 for lamb, ₩10000 for beef).

🔹The stall also features a "Certified Halal" (حلال) sign, indicating it caters to Halal dietary requirements.

🔹The stall is equipped with grilling equipment and displays raw meat skewers ready for cooking.

🔵The street food stall in Myeongdong is a mobile cart setup. This stall primarily featuring deep-fried items and Korean street food specialties:

🔹Offerings: The stall prominently advertises "새우튀김" (Saewoo Twigim), which translates to "Fried Shrimp" as seen on the sign, along with "Best 닭강정" (Dakgangjeong), a sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken.

🔹Pricing: The fried shrimp is priced at ₩5000.

🔹Equipment: The stall is equipped with deep-frying stations, likely for preparing the shrimp and chicken, and features bottles of sauces or condiments.

🔵The stall/kiosk in Myeongdong is a street vendor selling a variety of items, primarily focusing on services and products for tourists and locals.

🔹It appears to specialize in telecommunications, prominently featuring "SIM" and "eSIM" cards, likely catering to travelers needing local connectivity.

🔹Additionally, the presence of "스포츠토토" (Sports Toto) suggests it also sells lottery or sports betting tickets.

🔹"상품권" (gift certificates) are also visible, indicating another type of product offered.

🔵The image depicts a bustling street food stall in Myeongdong, Seoul, specializing in various dried and prepared seafood snacks, prominently featuring squid-based products.

🔹Offerings: The stall displays a wide array of items, including what appears to be dried and smoked squid (훈제오징어), as indicated by the Korean text on the signage, along with other packaged seafood snacks. The offerings are roasted chestnut, ginkgo nut, octopus skewers, butter squid, dried squid, smoked squid and grilled filefish.

🔹Branding: A banner on the cart proudly declares "MYEONG-DONG NO.1 SEA FOOD SINCE 1983," suggesting a long-standing presence and reputation in the area.

🔵This stall sells fresh fruit juices, fresh cut fruits and a variety of dried fruits such as dried strawberry, dried persimmon and dried figs.

🔵Ciri Utama Myeongdong:

🔹Membeli-belah: Myeongdong ialah syurga pembeli, menawarkan pelbagai jenis produk daripada fesyen dan aksesori kepada kosmetik dan penjagaan kulit. Gedung beli-belah utama seperti Lotte dan Shinsegae mempunyai cawangan di sini, bersebelahan dengan banyak butik dan penjual jalanan yang lebih kecil.

🔹Makanan: Daerah ini menawarkan pemandangan kulinari yang pelbagai, dengan pilihan daripada hidangan tradisional Korea seperti kalguksu dan dongaseu kepada masakan antarabangsa dan makanan jalanan yang popular. Pilihan popular termasuk ayam goreng Korea, tteokbokki dan pelbagai makanan ringan daripada troli makanan jalanan.

🔹Zon Mesra Pejalan Kaki: Jalan beli-belah utama di Myeongdong ialah zon mesra pejalan kaki, menjadikannya mudah untuk menerokai kawasan itu dengan berjalan kaki.

🔹Hiburan malam: Kawasan ini menjadi meriah pada waktu malam, dengan gerai makanan jalanan dan kedai dibuka lewat, menawarkan suasana yang meriah dan mengujakan.

🔹Pusat Maklumat Pelancong: Pusat Maklumat Pelancong Myeongdong menyediakan bantuan dan sumber untuk pelawat, termasuk maklumat tentang tarikan, persembahan dan penginapan.

🔹Budaya: Myeongdong juga menempatkan mercu tanda kebudayaan seperti Myeongdong Cathedral, gereja gaya Gothic yang bersejarah dan Myeongdong Theater, yang terkenal dengan persembahan seperti Nanta.

🔹Pengiktirafan UNESCO: Pada 2019, Myeongdong telah ditetapkan sebagai "Honorary UNESCO Street" kerana kepentingan budayanya dan suasananya yang meriah.

🔹Konteks Sejarah:

- Myeongdong pada mulanya merupakan kawasan perumahan semasa Dinasti Joseon yang dipanggil Myeongryebang.

- Ia berubah menjadi daerah komersial semasa zaman penjajahan Jepun, pada mulanya dinamakan Myeongchijeong.

- Kawasan itu secara rasmi dinamakan Myeongdong pada tahun 1946 selepas Korea mencapai kemerdekaan.

🔵Pada dasarnya, Myeongdong ialah daerah dinamik dan menarik yang menawarkan gabungan pengalaman membeli-belah, makan dan budaya, menjadikannya destinasi yang mesti dikunjungi di Seoul.

🔵Sejarah Myeongdong melibatkan satu transformasi daripada kawasan perumahan kepada hab komersial dan kebudayaan yang sibuk di Seoul.

🔹Pada mulanya Myeongdong adalah sebuah daerah kediaman bernama Myeongryebang semasa Dinasti Joseon. Ia berubah semasa penjajahan Jepun, menjadi lebih dikomersialkan dengan nama Myeongchijeong.

🔹Selepas kemerdekaan Korea pada tahun 1946, ia secara rasmi menjadi Myeongdong dan mengalami pertumbuhan yang ketara, terutamanya selepas Perang Korea, dengan pengembangan sektor kewangan dan pembinaan bangunan bertingkat tinggi dan gedung serbaneka.

🔵Berikut ialah paparan yang lebih terperinci:

🔹Dinasti Joseon: Myeongdong asalnya adalah kawasan perumahan yang dikenali sebagai Myeongryebang.

🔹Pendudukan Jepun: Kawasan itu menjadi lebih dikomersialkan, dan nama itu ditukar kepada Myeongchijeong.

🔹Pasca Kemerdekaan (1946): Selepas Korea mencapai kemerdekaan, kawasan itu secara rasmi dinamakan Myeongdong.

🔹Pasca Perang Korea: Ekonomi Myeongdong berkembang pesat, menarik institusi kewangan dan membawa kepada pembinaan bangunan tinggi dan gedung serbaneka.

🔹1970-an: Myeongdong mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai destinasi membeli-belah utama, menarik golongan yang mementingkan fesyen dan menjadi pusat trend.

🔹Era Moden: Myeongdong terus berkembang, menjadi destinasi pelancongan utama dan tempat di mana budaya Korea, termasuk K-pop dan K-drama, telah mempengaruhi perkembangannya.

🔵Kelihatan Myeongdong Cathedral. We're going there next.

🔵Myeongdong Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, is a significant landmark in Seoul, South Korea, and the heart of Catholicism in Korea. Completed in 1898, it is the first Gothic-style brick church in Korea and holds a special place in the country's religious and democratic history.

🔵Key Features and Significance:

🔹Historical Importance: Myeongdong Cathedral is the birthplace of the Catholic Church in Korea, with the first Catholic community gathering on this site in 1784.

🔹Gothic Architecture:

The cathedral is the first brick church in Korea built in the Gothic style, featuring a Latin cross plan, a 45-meter bell tower, and a high vaulted ceiling.

🔹Symbol of Resistance:

During the 1970s and 1980s, the cathedral became a focal point for the pro-democracy movement in South Korea, offering sanctuary to protesters.

🔹Relics of Martyrs:

The cathedral houses the relics of Korean martyrs who died during religious persecutions in the 1800s, including Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert and several priests.

🔹Spiritual Oasis:

The cathedral offers a peaceful refuge amidst the bustling Myeongdong district, providing a space for prayer, reflection, and cultural activities.

🔵Visiting Myeongdong Cathedral:

🔹Location: The cathedral is located in the Myeongdong neighborhood of central Seoul.

🔹Access: It can be reached by subway (Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, or Myeong-dong station) and then a short walk.

🔹Admission: Entry to the cathedral is free.

🔹Mass Services: English Mass is held on Sundays.

🔹Crypt: The crypt, where the relics of the martyrs are enshrined, can be visited.

🔹Cultural Complex: The basement of the cathedral houses a cultural complex with shops, cafes, and exhibition spaces.

🔵In essence, Myeongdong Cathedral is more than just a church; it is a place of historical significance, spiritual solace, and a symbol of Korean Catholic heritage.

🔵About Myeongdong Cathedral.

🔵Pelawat dibenarkan masuk melawat ke dalam gereja, tetapi fotografi tidak dibenarkan.

🔵Kebetulan pada ketika itu, ada persiapan sedang dibuat untuk memulakan upacara mass. Kami dapat melihat ramai wanita Katholik Korea yang datang ke gereja sambil memakai selendang untuk menutup kepala.

🔵Kami cuma melawat sekejap sahaja ke dalam gereja kerana tidak mahu mengganggu upacara mass yang hendak dimulakan. Tidak lama selepas kami keluar, pintu gereja ditutup kerana pelawat tidak lagi dibenarkan masuk.

🔵Pemandangan bangunan gereja dari sisi.

🔵Myeongdong Cathedral Priest's Residence.

🔵Statue of St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon - the first Korean priest Martyr.

🔵Myeongdong Crypt or Myeongdong Underground Cathedral.

🔹The Myeongdong Crypt, located beneath the main altar of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, houses the relics of Korean martyrs.

🔹These martyrs are individuals who died during religious persecutions in the 1800s, specifically the Gihae and Byeongin persecutions of 1839 and 1866.

🔵The building behind the trees is Convent of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

🔵Statue of Mary.

🔵A votive candle stand.

🔵Myeongdong Cathedral is known for its beautiful Gothic architecture, which includes prominent stained-glass windows depicting religious scenes and motifs

🔵Myeongdong Cathedral Ghost Hall.

🔵Next Clara took us for quick visit to a large underground shopping center called the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center that is located near the cathedral and connected to it by underground passages.

🔹This underground mall offers a variety of shops, including clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and souvenirs, often at more affordable prices than those found above ground.