MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- ITAEWON, Korea - The Itaewon district developed around the U.S. Eighth Army Base, in the heart of Seoul, Korea, and has been well-known among tourists since the 1970s.
The more-than 1,500 small shops in the district offer custom-made suits, silk dresses, jogging suits, sportswear, sweaters, fur jackets, leather apparel and ski wear at a fraction of their overseas prices.
Shoes are also a popular buy, as Itaewon carries a huge range of sports shoes, jogging shoes, and the latest in leather dress shoes made with both imported and local leathers.
But there is more to Itaewon than clothing and shoes. This is a great area to shop for sports equipments, Korean souvenirs, handicrafts, and small gifts.
Itaewon also has the best collection of eel skin products in Seoul, and smoky topaz, amethyst and jade jewelry. Fur shops sell their furs duty-free to foreigners. Great savings can be made and English is spoken at almost all shops.
Won, dollars and yen are happily accepted all over. In addition to daytime shopping, Itaewon offers nighttime entertainments with a large variety of clubs and restaurants.
"It's like a giant flea market. Anything you need can be found there," said Jennifer Forbes, Station resident. "And it's also very cheap. You can buy a great pair of pants for less than $10, and if you think the price is too much for a particular item, you can negotiate with the seller to get a better price."
However, as great as it might sound, there is a risk and everyone must be aware of it. Some of the items for sale are not actually what they seem.
"Even though it is very cheap to shop there," said Cpl. Jacob Dant, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 metalsmith, "people must remember that some of the things sold are just cheap knock-offs and usually don't last. Plus, you must also watch how much you eventually spend. It is easy to think that you're not spending a lot of money, but all the $6 items will add up quickly."
For more information on weekend getaways to Itaewon and Seoul call Information Tours and Travel at 253-4377.