Gyongbokgung

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Sunday February 19, 2006

Today we went to the Gyeongbok Palace, which means “The Palace of Shinning Happiness.” This palace is from the Josen Dynasty and was the largest of all the palaces in Korea. It was burnt down in 1592 during the warfare of the Japanese. They began to rebuild it in 1993, but this restoration will not be complete until 2010.
We managed to get a tour in English, which took a good hour. The palace was covered with visitors and it was very touristy, though almost everyone there was Korean. Our group was about 40, yet amidst the huge walls and mass chaos of people, we did not feel so large.
Next to the palace was the National Folk Museum. It contained a lot of history and showed how the farming techniques were carried out. There were displays of dress, jewelry, shoes, tools, food and technology such as sundials.
After that we went to Insa-dong, which is a traditional place where there are a tons of shops that contain Korean chopsticks, cups, pottery, dolls, phone accessories, and decorations. There were also a large number of roadside food stands and a few fruit stands. Also there is a large open area where people sing and there are a number of art galleries as well.
This place is probably the equivalent to the feeling of China Town in NY, except that they items are authentic and attend to the needs of the locals and not focusing on the tourist market. I do have to say that it was nice to not be surrounded by tourists and only be surrounded by the native Koreans who were there because it was a casual activity for them to partake in.

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Photos

Palace Gaurd
There are men who wear the traditional dress and stand as still as stone outside of the palace. They add life and a feeling of reality to the place

King's Quarters
This is where the king's chamber would would be.

Side Street
There were many little walk ways and side streets throughout the palace.

Paying Tribute
This man really seemed to capture the nature of the Elder and reaspected. He was simply a visitor such as myself, but he was the only king I saw.

Tower
This is actually the top of the National Folk Museum of Korea which is right next to the palace.

Pavillian
Crossing a bridge represents purafication. The water washed away all that is unclean.

Mountain
The most treasured places are ones where the suroundings include both water and the peacefulness of nature.

Reflection
Standing on the stone terrace, I tried to imagine what the Palace must have been like 500 years ago.

Cooking Rice
It is common to find street venders cooking and preparing food. This picture was taken while walking aound in Insa-dong.

Comments

[mom]

WOW
Bekah you are so brave! I love to read your entries, and only comfirms to me your giftings in journalism. I can tell that you really want to understand the people and experience the culture, not just observe. You go Girl - Love Mom

[Uncle John]

Like your blog
Sounds like your having fun. :)

[sarah]

hooker
RBKH these pics are breathtaking. it looks like the exotic adventure you were looking for... well, maryville is pretty exotic these days too...i mean, christin said she saw a cockroach traveling accross the table, followed by two littler ones..she asked them where they were going and they said something about a religious pilgrimage to the ganga river... yeah, hows that for new events in maryville?hm? so without further adieu... I MISS YOU!! SRH

[D@D]

I think I love this place ; nice blog <[;)