Back in the States

Sorry for not being able to post while I was away but I promise to update this blog with some pictures and what memories I can piece together about the remaining days. Even though it doesn't seem as exciting, hopefully you will all enjoy it. :D I hopefully will have all the days posted by the end of the week. :D

Till then,

~Val

Seoul, Korea Day 5

Greetings all,

Thursday, July 29, 2010. Day 5 in Seoul Korea.

Like every morning I start out my day catching a dose of Korean television before breakfast.

This morning I witnessed another kids show featuring a beloved character that I can not understand. Pyu-pyu is its name I think. He is orange and his trademark is to pass gas. I have no idea why this is funny but he farts and magic things happen, leave it to Asia. :P

I decided to walk to the Subway a different way and passed Korea’s most popular fast food chain, Lotteria. I swear Lotte must own everything here. It’s a super corporation that has its name on everything from amusement parks to toilet paper.

My delicious peach drink. I love how most vending machines have more iced teas and milk lattes (which are teas or juices mixed with milk). My choice beverages are either milk teas, melon lattes or peach juices. :D

Hilarious bathroom sign.

Since I was on my own today I decided to go to the National Korean Museum. On my way to the museum there was quite a lot of construction. You see that man pictured above? He isn’t real, but a scarecrow like guy dressed in construction clothing. There were a bunch of them all over, I guess warning people of construction areas and workers so people could be careful.

Gorgeous pagoda garden in front of the museum.

National Korean Museum. The museum featured a lot of historical artifacts, mostly from Korea and some from other countries. The best part was it was free.

Since there was no flash allowed and my camera doesn’t do well indoors a lot of these pictures are blurry. I apologize in advance.

Pictured above is the Backje Incense Burner, a pre-historic national treasure.

A gold crown and belt from the Three-Kindoms period of Korea.

Interior of the museum.

Pigments found in traditional paintings. Surprising to me was that a lot of colors are not just from plants but also minerals and stones.

Traditional mountain painting. There were a ton of samples of calligraphy and nature paintings.

Painitng of birds. Similar to colors, all animals have specific meanings when placed in paintings. All items in paintings are symbolic and represent themes and messages.

Sketch of Bamboo

Sacred seals

Tigerlillies, there was an abundance of these flowers everywhere

After viewing the museum there was a very peaceful garden outside that I took a stroll in, it was like an oasis in the city.

After the museum I decided to re-visit Meoyn-dong to walk around. I have come to the conclusion that in the U.S when someone considers shopping a sport, they have never been to Korea. The markets are truly a unique experience. This one area is huge, filled with shops of all sorts.

Markets aren’t always divided by stores but sometimes by booths like at a flea market.

Street food vendor.

I stopped by a Natuur store to get some waffles and ice cream. Delicious.

Restaurant front

A man dressed as a Watermelon superhero, there were also guys painted entirely white that I couldn’t get a picture of.

In front of a lot of stores were young girls dressed up to sell items and hand our free samples. A lot of people handed out fans and packets of tissues.

Even though it all seems so prosperous there is evidence that recessions hit everyone hard. One of the shopping malls only had 5 floors open out of 12, a few of the floors weren’t even full. Pictured is a deserted shopping area.

Traditional Korean wear for children.

Pretty dancing fountain. I don’t have a picture but in Seoul there is also a bridge that has water that pours from it and “dances.”

At nighttime I stopped by the Coex Mall and shopping plaza. A newer mall it was filled with stores and entertainment including a huge movie theatre and many restaurants.

Outside shot of a light display outside the mall, the lights changed color based on the music.

The mall was filled with interesting lights.

I love night lights, I wish I had a tripod with me. :P The picture above is of a huge building with lights that changed color and moved all around

Today I had a more historical tour of the city and the culture of the Korean people placed in direct contrast to the modern sprawl of the city. It was a rich view of the long history of the land and a quintessential view of the modernity of Korea. Since being here I have a better appreciation of the country and its history that is often skipped in the Social Studies curriculum in the US.

Till next time,

~Val

Sporadic Internet

Greetings all,

I am sorry for not posting as much but getting the internet lately has been quite difficult. Even when I do have it, it has been very slow. When I get a chance I will catch up with the posting and show you all the exciting things I have seen and done.

:D Just and update to all those that are following me, I am leaving Korea this afternoon. I am quite sad to leave this wonderful modern city where the people are so incredibly nice and the culture is very rich. Next stop on my journey will be Japan. First Tokyo and then a brief stop in Kyoto. I am not sure if I will have internet in Japan but I will try to get a hold of some. ;)

Until then <3,

~Val

Seoul, Korea Day 4

Greetings all,

Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Day 4 in Seoul Korea.

Another day in the modern city. Starting out every day I get a quick dose of Korean TV, including lots of interesting commercials, Korean Dramas (very addicting) and unusual Children's TV.

Pororo, the cute animated penguin and friends.

Brand new, clean trains and stations. Its good they are so nice since the ride to Insa-dong was an hour each way. :P

First stop of the day was Insa-dong, a more traditional shopping and tourist area. The streets are full of vendors selling everything Korean themed from dolls wearing the traditional Hanbok to keychains/cell phone charms featuring jade pigs.

On the second floor of one of the buildings was a "toy museum." To someone who is very familiar with flea markets the room kind of seemed like one big flea market. Lots of dirty, unorganized toys from many different generations passed off as old/vintage mixed with kitsch and retro items. Defiantly my kind of place. There were American and Japanese toys as well, many items I saw that were similar to ones in my collection. For those who know me, this is the kind of place I can see myself having one day. A huge room filled with toys, and I sit there and charge people a dollar to come in a look at them. :P


A Mimi doll (I think) the close cousin to the Japanese Licca/Jenny doll. Min claims she had this exact doll when she was little.

Another view of the street.

There were many different kinds of shops there. Many were little shops that spilled out to the street selling novelties but some were much more high class selling hand made jewelry and soap. Pictured above is a multi- floor shopping area with such higher end stores.

Feels like alice in an urban wonderland.

Even more alice like, very miniature food that just screams "eat me". :P

Colorful graffiti. This one is for you Joi.

Rooftops.

A delicious lunch, scallion pancakes, bean curd soup and omlette.

Street Vendors

I love these fuzzy things. I should have gotten one. :P

Afterwords we stopped by a small, beautiful Buddhist temple. It was so peaceful and green, I wanted to stay there forever.

Main Temple Hall

Private Meditation Quarters of the monks

Colorful Lotus Lanterns

Then we went to this cute and beautiful cafe on the hill. :D

Walled Pathway

View of the City from the Train

Delicious Noodle Dinner at a "fast food" resturant

I love the night lights of cities. Aren't they just beautiful? Above is a picture of Insa-dong market at night time.

Isn't it a comfort to know that no matter where you go in the world, you know that you are looking at the same moon in the sky?

That's all for now fellow travelers, till next time.

~Val