Good thing I'm a "people person"

In my residential neighborhood outside of Seoul proper, it's sometimes easy to forget that over ten million people call South Korea's capital home. A short subway ride into the heart of the metropolis offers a quick reality check. Here are some photos that demonstrate just how packed this place is. Weekend jaunts for shopping or sight-seeing can be exhausting, battling dense crowds pushing and shoving as everyone vies for that last seat on the subway train.

A shot of a traditional market area, Namdaemun, on a weekend. It's difficult to stop and ponder merchandise at any of the stands because the crowd pushes you through.

This shot was taken as I was transferring from one subway line to another on a Friday afternoon. It was approaching rush hour, so things only got worse after this.

Another shot in the subway. Because I'm so short, I usually have no idea how far away my destination is. I have to focus on the floor to make sure I'm prepared to maneuver any steps that come up.