Jehovah Rapha and the N Seoul Tower
After spending about an hour in Han gang Park, Hannah and I headed off to N Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan.
We rode a yellow bus from the Chungmuro station that passed through several rows of coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and night markets that signified a lively nightlife.
We passed by an almost deserted highway before we went up a winding road that offered an enchanting evening view of the city.
Months before our trip, N Seoul tower always came up on our list of places to visit in Seoul. We assigned N Seoul tower on the last night of our trip and planned to dine at n. Grill, the rotating restaurant that promise a 360 - degrees panoramic view of Seoul.
It was a little over 7 PM when the bus halted on the foot of the N Seoul Tower. Its passengers – mostly students and foreigners, alighted excitedly and were greeted with the chilly mountain breeze. As I stepped out of the bus, I adjusted my coat and hugged myself to ease the biting cold.
We were starving.
Our long walk to Han gang park and my growling stomach made me forget that we munched on a large shrimp burger and fries some three hours earlier.
We agreed to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant by the foot of the Seoul Tower Plaza. Attending to our growing hunger became our priority that moment. To avoid disappointing ourselves, Hannah and I both agreed to dine at n. Grill on our second visit to Seoul.
After dinner, we began climbing the steep hill toward the N Seoul Plaza. It was not an easy climb. The lonely planet book did not say that visitors need to do a little hiking in order to reach the tower. However, upon seeing the amused faces of a group of older ladies who have just finished their tour, I reminded Hannah that if they can do it, we can surely do it better! ^-^
We paid 14,000 Won for the Observatory + Teddy Bear Museum Package then we obliged on a long queue of visitors eagerly anticipating the ascend to the famous N. Seoul tower.
The ‘shocking elevator’ ride
And we’re here…
“N Seoul Tower located on Mt. Namsan offers great panoramic views of the city, and has been a symbol of Seoul since it first opened to the public in 1980. The tower has not only been given a new look, but also a new name following a complete makeover. It is now a true cultural space with various performances, movies, exhibitions as well as upscale restaurants and snack bars. Topping the list of best sites according to tourists, N Seoul Tower draws a large number of visitors every day. KTO visited N Seoul Tower to see what is making this place such a great attraction since its re-opening on December 9, 2005,” information from its official website said.
“Looking through the glass”
The Tower boasts of a Digital Observatory with a Digital or high-powered telescope, an Analogue Observatory, a souvenir Shop, ‘Hancook’, a Korean restaurant, Café Swee Tree, Bakery, a Characters & Photos shop, a Convenience store, Food Court , Reed of Light Garden, Shower of Light, Glass and Terrace, Souvenir Shop, Ticket booth, and a Children’s Theater among others.
A mother lulls her little one to sleep in a corner at the observatory
A man gazes at the ‘shocking floor’ of the observatory. As visitors step on it, ‘the shocking floor’ simulates the collapse of the building complete with sounds and special effects.
Visitors can send postcards or ‘N love letters’ at the tower’s post office
Visitors can also choose from a wide variety of souvenirs being sold at the tower
It was three minutes after we arrived at the observatory and this is where my story actually begins.
In my entire week in Seoul, I had to drink a few pain relievers due to an impending dental procedure that had to be performed after I come back from the trip. I have never been a fan of consuming pain relievers especially if I can withstand the pain. However, a toothache is oftentimes talked of as something that is truly challenging if not overly taxing to a person. My dentist reminded me several times to consume pain relievers when needed and to follow my antibiotic schedule.
So there I was admiring the beautiful evening magic of Seoul when I felt a sharp pain on my gum - where my sick tooth stands. I immediately searched my bag for a painkiller. I found none. I searched again and there was none. I realized I brought a single pill for the day and I had already consumed it several hours ago.
I worried for 30 seconds but I did not panic. I immediately remembered that there was someone who could help me, someone who is capable of healing me.
“Lord, I’m far away from home and far from our guesthouse. I surrender this pain to you. You brought me in Seoul to enjoy so I ask you now to allow me to enjoy this experience. Heal me from this pain and let this be another testimony of your glory,” I prayed in a very low voice in a corner.
Hannah earlier excused herself to go to the restroom. I spent my time praying and believing for God’s healing. Please remember that praying is not magic. It takes time for our requests to be granted. But at that moment, I honestly believed that help is on its way and that God does want me to enjoy the moment.
I watched how a cute golden-haired three-year old boy amused many visitors as he ran around excitedly in the observatory. He screamed and laughed with much gusto flailing his arms as he ran here and there.
Hannah came back a little later and told me of the beautiful ‘sky restrooms.
We took pictures of each other inside the observatory and admired the night time view of the city. We talked about the countries that we have visited in the past and the countries that we wish to visit in the future. She told me about her trip to India and I told her about my trip to Heidelberg.
We spent some 10 or 15 minutes exchanging stories.
I forgot about the pain…
I forgot I was having a toothache because I no longer felt it…
It was not there anymore.
And this will be one of my testimonies.
I will always remember the beauty of Seoul as I watched it from the tower…
But I will never forget that Jehovah Rapha, the healer, heard me as I asked and believed faithfully inside a tower 236.7 meters above the ground.
