Blogs from South Korea, Asia - page 364

Over the past weekend, Meredith and I decided to take a spontaneous backpacking tip to Seoraksan National Park, which is said to be Korea’s most prominent geographical region. Over dinner the Tuesday before, we both realized that neither of us had any more exams that week and thought it a great opportunity to take advantage of the long weekend. The weather was finally warming up, and we found ourselves tired and overwhelmed by the consistency of Seoul-life. I borrowed a backpack and packed some heavy cloths anticipation the cold nights on the “Snow Peak Mountain” range (which is the English translation of Seoraksan), and after Meredith’s class on Thursday, we picked up several days worth of food provisions at the Grand Mart and were on our way. We took the subway to the bus terminal and ... read more

The first sign of spring in Korea comes with the overwhelming number of blossoms that line pathways, tower over streets, create walls, and brighten the grey streets of Seoul and stone buildings of the Yonsei campus. At this point, the weather is still cold, despite the fact that the lingering feelings of spring allude to warmth and make you wish you could put on a mesh shirt and a flowy skirt. These beautiful blossoms last a total of about 2-3 weeks. This means that at any given place where over 100 buds can be seen, you are likely to see a handful of Koreans with their cell phone’s taking pictures amidst the flowers. In Tennessee, people find a sense of honor in hunting out and being photographed with the most drunk and oddly composed individual ... read more

This is Cynthia! We landed in Incheon, South Korea mad early this morning, around 7am. okay well technically that's not so early, but if you're still on Vietnamese time, it's around 5am in the morning for me. We have a 10 hour layover so instead of just lounging in this humongous airport, Jason and I decided to take the express limousine bus to Seoul, Korea. This was one of the nices buses we have ever been in, lounge type seats, foot rest, and heater at your side. Oh yeh, u must be wondering why I thought having a heater was a good thing. It's FREEZING in South Korea!! I thought the South is always supposed to be hot and sunny?? What happened. Jason and I have been walking around in tank tops and linen pants all ... read more

The Lotus Lantern Festival is a highly anticipated even every year in Seoul. A buddhist festical, and to commemorate Buddhas birthday, a festival is held surrounding the image of the Lotus Flower. Lotus lanterns are made and lit, an elaborate and illuminated parade prominades down the street of Jogno, near Insadong (a traditional market area of Seoul,lloaded with handicrafts and tea houses, popular with tourists). During the day on the Sunday (this year, April 30th) many buddhist activities are available, including making your own Lotus Lantern, and partaking in the local buddhist cuisine. The parade procedes to Jogyesa temple, a large Buddhist temple in the center of Seoul. Before all the hoopla begins (the festivities that foreigners are apt to take in), there is a lighting ceremony in front of City Hall. This ceremony takes place ... read more

It’s a sad and lonely Sunday evening in Seoul and I’m sitting in my empty apartment with Kristy’s laptop. Kristy is on a bus on her way to Guitar (?) to see her friend Christine. I pretended to know where that is but….. I don’t mean to seek sympathy with this intro…as much as I thought it would be novel to mimic Kristy’s last entry. I too, feel cozy, perched up on my third floor apartment, overlooking the street of loud high heeled shoes and old men spitting, while sipping my water. MMmmmm This should make for a strange two weeks, the first time we’ll have been apart. I must say…..it’s a lonely feeling. Made me pretty thankful that this trip was not done solo. I feel more respect for those who venture out to take ... read more