A Seoul trip with my 80 yo mum

Nothing is too late, and nothing is impossible. My 80-year-old mum joined us on our trip to Seoul, marking her second time traveling overseas with us. I am so proud of her for being healthy enough to experience life outside the box, even though she has mobility issues and cannot walk long distances. We arranged for a wheelchair rental and assistance for our flights because I really don’t want her to give up traveling due to these issues. I know it’s absolutely possible with the right support! There are many elderly people with leg problems like my mum, but nothing should stop them from exploring the world. There are countless services available to help make it happen. 

The picture below shows my mum sitting on a trolley while my partner pushed her towards the gate at the airport. There were times when we didn’t need the wheelchair, and we made it a fun experience! I deeply appreciate my partner, who always supports her.

  

A manual wheelchair rental provided by the Seoul Tourism Organizatins is available free of charge with a refundable deposit. You can choose between pick-up/return or door-to-door rental options; however, this service is only available within Seoul city. If you arrive at Incheon Airport or wish to visit areas outside Seoul, you will need to look for other rental options. In our case, we rented a wheelchair from Incheon Airport that we were allowed to use in the facility. We took it to the train station, returned it to the service counter, and then hopped on the train to Seoul Station. Finally, we took a taxi to our hotel. I hope this information is helpful for anyone in similar circumstances

1. Namsan Baekbeon Square.

I have never pushed a wheelchair so hard! There was a steep road leading to the top of the square, but we didn’t give up and pushed together, taking turns. My partner pushed the chair while I supported his lower back at the same time; it felt like we were a little Japanese rice dumpling team! The colorful ginkgo trees took our breath away, and the road was stunning, covered with leaves. Our efforts was paid off!

2. Bukchon Hanok Village

The historical houses, alleys, and slopes remind me of Onomichi, a coastal city near my hometown. When we entered through the regular entrance, the slope was too steep to push a wheelchair, so we decided to use a back road. It was still difficult but easier because it was less crowded with tourists. In the photo above, the roles were reversed; my mum was pushing her wheelchair, and my partner was sitting in it. He always made us laugh!

3. Gyeongbokgung Palace

The palace grounds were spacious, making it enjoyable to explore. Luckily, we were there in time to see the changing of the guard at 2 PM before leaving. The ceremony was impressive, with people in colorful costumes marching to the beat of drums.

4. Myeongdong Cathedral

We visited the church in Myeongdong after some shopping. Inside the building was quiet and calm, with a few people praying and visitors like us. The beautiful stained glass windows and the pipe organ were the highlights for me. Access by wheelchair was a bit complex... There was a lift in the shopping center next door leading to the church but the push bottun we needed to choose wasn't clear to us so we were struggling...

5. Food of the week

Finding vegetarian options was challenging, but we managed to enjoy fish cakes, kimchi, Tteokbokki, bibimbap, and Korean udon! They warmed us up because it was quite cold. The picture below is from a restaurant that offers vegetarian dishes. The meals came with several side dishes, making them plentiful and delicious. The friendly lady in the photo was welcoming passersby to the alley. She even pulled me by the arm to enter, but it was the right place to eat!

With the lady at Namdaemum Kalguksu Alley. Thank you!

6. Massive snow and Massive delay

On the last day of our stay, it started to snow. We were like kids, excitedly taking photos, but we grew worried about our flight as the snow got heavier. Our boarding was delayed by about an hour, and we ended up sitting in the aircraft for 4 hours before takeoff! Can you believe it? We were provided with a cup of water and a chocolate bar, but it wasn’t enough for my big appetite!