From the February 2016 issue of The Rotarian

If you’re heading to Seoul for the 2016 RI Convention on 28 May-1 June, you’ll probably want to pick up some souvenirs for the folks back home.

You would do well to start at Namdaemun Market. This is an old-fashioned market in the city center with vendors who pound on tables to get your attention. You’ll find souvenirs galore, along with Psy masks, Obama socks, and dog sweaters.

If you’re willing to trade sleep for shopping, head to Dongdaemun Market, where stores stay open until 5 a.m. Dongdaemun is made up of several large shopping malls, as well as rows of street vendors who sell mostly clothes. If you like to wheel and deal, this is a good place to do it.

For a less frenetic shopping pace, try Garosugil, a neighborhood full of fashion boutiques carrying both home-grown labels and international brands. When your feet need a break, stop at one of Garosugil’s trendy restaurants.

The shopping district of Myeong-dong is best-known for Korean cosmetics, a beauty trend spreading worldwide. Don’t be afraid of unusual ingredients (snail slime or bee venom, anyone?).

Korea is known as a high-tech haven, and if you want to remember Seoul with a souvenir of the electronic type, stop by Yongsan Electronics Market. Yongsan is several buildings that sell computers and peripherals, software, cameras, cellphones, audio equipment, and appliances.

Register for the 2016 RI Convention in Seoul at www.riconvention.org.