Blogs from South Korea, Asia - page 369

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 ... read more

Thursday Afternoon: I have just had the most traumatic last few hours. Two to be exact, and they were spent in the Woorie Bank. I first had to exchange the rest of my USA currency. Then I went to go open my account. I gave the teller my money order and she stood up and hurriedly escorted me back to the currency exchange speaking to me in Korean the whole way. This was after she had asked me if I spoke Korean and I told her that I did not. So I waited in line again at the currency exchange (after waiting in line at the bank). When it was finally my turn, the lady told me that the money order (which contained all of my money other than what I carried over on the plane) ... read more

Well, its February in Seoul...and its a lot like January, haha. We had a good snow on Tuesday, and i promptly fell on my butt walking to school. It was pretty embarassing until the guy behind me fell down too. Saturday I got up at 4:30 am to get myself to Seoul and run along the Han River with my running group. We ran 11 miles and then went to the U.S, base and ran a 5k! So a total of 15 miles. Needless to say, I am a little sore today, but I feel more ready for the Seoul International marathon in March. Then after the run I was off to Damdaemun for a little shopping trip. I was overwhelmed by the staggering number of Gucci purses for only 20 bucks, so of course I ... read more

I leave on my trip in a little more than three weeks, and while I'm whittling away at my to-do list, I still have many things to do. The past six months have flown by and I have not been as active in my planning as I should have been. For example, I am still looking for a way to get the bulk of my possessions from Korea to the U.S. in an inexpensive manner. I think I'll have it figured out by today because Jackie, my girlfriend, is calling movers today and if their quotes are good, I'll use one of them. Otherwise, I will end up leaving quite a few possessions in my apartment for the next occupant to use, throw out a bunch of old clothes (which I should do anyway) and shipping ... read more

What is it about Itaewon that draws one so consistently back? I know what people that have been here are thinking...you are lazy tourists that want to avoid the authentic experience and hide away in your own pre-established routine and plethora of expectations and don't want to be challenged or embarassed (HA! to those who think Itaewon can't embarass you). I think it is the hockey. Jen and I had an errand running day....back in Bundang. We were wandering the suburbian streets last night at 2 o clock in the morning because we were too tired to argue with the Korean cab driver about expenses and street names. Where's the logic there I wonder? So we have time to kill. So what if we chose to stick to the familiar. It is a very strange place ... read more