Ta-Da! Here it is - and only four months after my return! Well, to be fair, life has been a bit busy what with the move and all. And, once I finished all my postings, I couldn't get the formatting right. But I'm mostly happy with it and ready to show it to you all.
The postings go in reverse order as to when I wrote them. It really doesn't matter what order you read them in, though. If you want to see a picture better, just click on it and a larger version will pop up in a new window.
For those of you who don't know why I was in Korea, I got a grant for social studies teachers. I applied for and was accepted to this program through the Korea Foundation. They paid for EVERYTHING and I got to spend two weeks learning about Korean culture and history. The idea is that I will take this experience back and use it to better teach my students. It's a ripple-effect idea that I think is grand. There are lots of these programs out there and I intend to search them out and participate in as many as I can.
I hope you like these pictures - I had a fantastic time on my trip and will always have fond memories and thoughts about Korea.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The DMZ
We spent our last full day in Korea at the Demilitarized Zone. It was an amazing experience and was incredibly timely, too. The North Koreans tested their long range missles on 4 July and we got on the plane for our trip the next day. Needless to say, tensions were high - particularly along the DMZ. As tensions with the North are becoming even greater due to the nuclear tests, I am incredibly grateful I got the chance to see the DMZ when I did. The South Koreans firmly believe the two countries will be united in the future and are doing as much as they can to prepare for that day.
Our first stop on the DMZ is to an underground tunnel the South claims the North dug. The North claims the opposite, but it appears the North dug it. We rode a "ride" down a very narrow tunnel to reach the original one - many of us discovered slight claustrophobic tendencies! Once underground, we got to walk through the tunnel (25 stories down!), which was very cool. No pictures, though, so I can't share any with you.
Next, we got to peek out into the DMZ itself from an observation deck. We could take pictures, but we were very limited and none of us wanted to tick off the Korean army! An officer pointed to various structures and towns in North Korea that were visible from where we stood.
Later, we got to wander around on our own and I stumbled upon this shrine to family members "stuck" in the North. It's very moving and incredibly sad.
We spent our last full day in Korea at the Demilitarized Zone. It was an amazing experience and was incredibly timely, too. The North Koreans tested their long range missles on 4 July and we got on the plane for our trip the next day. Needless to say, tensions were high - particularly along the DMZ. As tensions with the North are becoming even greater due to the nuclear tests, I am incredibly grateful I got the chance to see the DMZ when I did. The South Koreans firmly believe the two countries will be united in the future and are doing as much as they can to prepare for that day.
Our first stop on the DMZ is to an underground tunnel the South claims the North dug. The North claims the opposite, but it appears the North dug it. We rode a "ride" down a very narrow tunnel to reach the original one - many of us discovered slight claustrophobic tendencies! Once underground, we got to walk through the tunnel (25 stories down!), which was very cool. No pictures, though, so I can't share any with you.
Next, we got to peek out into the DMZ itself from an observation deck. We could take pictures, but we were very limited and none of us wanted to tick off the Korean army! An officer pointed to various structures and towns in North Korea that were visible from where we stood.
Later, we got to wander around on our own and I stumbled upon this shrine to family members "stuck" in the North. It's very moving and incredibly sad.
Taffy Pulling
This was one of my most favorite activities! We went to this folk village and got to pull taffy. We split into pairs - Mary was my buddy - and they gave us a lump of the dark brown candy. They showed us how to pull it and, if you do it right, it gets ropey and tan. Mary and I were on the end and earned a lot of attention from the cute little Korean ladies who worked there. We were so proud of ourselves! Once we finished, we got to take it with us - yum, it was good! It's made with rice and barley and is much less sweet than our salt-water variety, but it was very tasty. Fortunately/unfortunately, there are no preservative chemicals in it, so it doesn't keep very well. It didn't even last long enough to bring some home to my candy-loving hubby.
This was one of my most favorite activities! We went to this folk village and got to pull taffy. We split into pairs - Mary was my buddy - and they gave us a lump of the dark brown candy. They showed us how to pull it and, if you do it right, it gets ropey and tan. Mary and I were on the end and earned a lot of attention from the cute little Korean ladies who worked there. We were so proud of ourselves! Once we finished, we got to take it with us - yum, it was good! It's made with rice and barley and is much less sweet than our salt-water variety, but it was very tasty. Fortunately/unfortunately, there are no preservative chemicals in it, so it doesn't keep very well. It didn't even last long enough to bring some home to my candy-loving hubby.
Ink Printing
We really enjoyed the hands-on field trip stuff we got to do. At one point, they took us to an artisan who specializes in making ink prints of roof tiles and various other things. He taught us to make prints of roof tiles and it was so fun! If you look at the architecture pictures below, you can see the tube-y parts of the roof. The ends of the tube have "end caps" that are often elaborately decorated. Step by step, we put thin paper on top of the tile and blotted ink over it. It's tricker than it sounds, but well worth it. And we even got to take home our finished products.
We really enjoyed the hands-on field trip stuff we got to do. At one point, they took us to an artisan who specializes in making ink prints of roof tiles and various other things. He taught us to make prints of roof tiles and it was so fun! If you look at the architecture pictures below, you can see the tube-y parts of the roof. The ends of the tube have "end caps" that are often elaborately decorated. Step by step, we put thin paper on top of the tile and blotted ink over it. It's tricker than it sounds, but well worth it. And we even got to take home our finished products.
Noraebang
Karaoke may be huge in Japan and the US, but the Korean have their own form. They call it Noraebang. It's basically a more private form of karaoke. You go with your friends to a "singing room" establishment where you get your own private room. That way, you can sing just to your friends instead of to the whole bar. Also, you can opt to have everyone sing (which is what we did) so no one feels put on the spot (good for when everyone's sober). You get multiple microphones and a couple of tambourines and then they shut the door and leave you to your singing. It's huge in Korea and our young guides assured us, no visit is complete without a night at the singing rooms. We had a blast!
Karaoke may be huge in Japan and the US, but the Korean have their own form. They call it Noraebang. It's basically a more private form of karaoke. You go with your friends to a "singing room" establishment where you get your own private room. That way, you can sing just to your friends instead of to the whole bar. Also, you can opt to have everyone sing (which is what we did) so no one feels put on the spot (good for when everyone's sober). You get multiple microphones and a couple of tambourines and then they shut the door and leave you to your singing. It's huge in Korea and our young guides assured us, no visit is complete without a night at the singing rooms. We had a blast!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Traditional Music
Korean traditional music is really really different from Western music. I have to admit, I had a hard time truly appreciating it. I recognize the difficulty of playing the instruments, but I can't listen to the stuff for real long. We went to two music performances, which were fascinating, if not always pleasing to the ear. I was, however, completely captivated by the instruments. We went to a cultural center where we got to play around with some of them. So much fun! I think our group of teachers made as much noise as any school group of children!
Korean traditional music is really really different from Western music. I have to admit, I had a hard time truly appreciating it. I recognize the difficulty of playing the instruments, but I can't listen to the stuff for real long. We went to two music performances, which were fascinating, if not always pleasing to the ear. I was, however, completely captivated by the instruments. We went to a cultural center where we got to play around with some of them. So much fun! I think our group of teachers made as much noise as any school group of children!
Gyeongbukgung Palace
This was the primary palace of the Choson dynasty (14th-20th centuries). It's located right in the heart of Seoul. I was amazed at the coexistence of the ancient and modern throughout the country, but it was particularly striking here. The architecture is amazing, as are the mountains behind it. We arrived in time to witness the changing of the guard ceremony, which was really cool. I've seen it at Buckingham Palace in London, but so did 9 zillion other people. I stood in the back and didn't really get to see details. We were so close to the Korean guards - we didn't miss anything. Then of course, the obligatory picture-taking with the guards. They love it as much as the English guards do.... Another cool bit was they let us put on guard clothing and take pictures. I don't care how old I am, I still enjoy playing dress up.
This was the primary palace of the Choson dynasty (14th-20th centuries). It's located right in the heart of Seoul. I was amazed at the coexistence of the ancient and modern throughout the country, but it was particularly striking here. The architecture is amazing, as are the mountains behind it. We arrived in time to witness the changing of the guard ceremony, which was really cool. I've seen it at Buckingham Palace in London, but so did 9 zillion other people. I stood in the back and didn't really get to see details. We were so close to the Korean guards - we didn't miss anything. Then of course, the obligatory picture-taking with the guards. They love it as much as the English guards do.... Another cool bit was they let us put on guard clothing and take pictures. I don't care how old I am, I still enjoy playing dress up.
Nanta!
This is an amazing experience! It's the longest-running Korean show and it's even playing in the US, under the name Cookin'. Imagine a cross between Blue Man Group, Stomp, and dinner at Benihana and you would have Nanta. Four chefs prepare dinner for a wedding, but spend more time playing than working. The rhythms they pound out are fun and exciting. They do prepare food and it's probably best not to sit in the front row (unless you enjoy getting cabbage in your hair). :) It's side-splitting hilarious and toe-tapping fun.
This is an amazing experience! It's the longest-running Korean show and it's even playing in the US, under the name Cookin'. Imagine a cross between Blue Man Group, Stomp, and dinner at Benihana and you would have Nanta. Four chefs prepare dinner for a wedding, but spend more time playing than working. The rhythms they pound out are fun and exciting. They do prepare food and it's probably best not to sit in the front row (unless you enjoy getting cabbage in your hair). :) It's side-splitting hilarious and toe-tapping fun.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Architecture
Since most of my travels have been in Europe, I enjoyed the change of scenery when it comes to buildings. Although Korea is full of modern buildings, there are plenty of traditional ones - some right in the heart of the city! I love the tiled roofs with their beautiful colors:
The view out of my 17th story hotel window was amazing - mountains and highrises. I could even see two jumbo-trons running commercials non-stop!
Since most of my travels have been in Europe, I enjoyed the change of scenery when it comes to buildings. Although Korea is full of modern buildings, there are plenty of traditional ones - some right in the heart of the city! I love the tiled roofs with their beautiful colors:
The view out of my 17th story hotel window was amazing - mountains and highrises. I could even see two jumbo-trons running commercials non-stop!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Food
Korean food was an adventure in and of itself. I went in ready to try everything (and I did), but I can't say I loved it all. It's very healthy and much of it is tasty. However, I found that a lot of it tasted alike. It's spicy, which I didn't mind, and heavy on fish and vegetables.
The food is usually served in tons of small dishes, which winds up nearly covering the whole table! The locals said we ate really well on our trip, that they only use that many dishes for special meals. Well, we ate special every meal. The meal we had in the picture on the left consisted of 16 different dishes. As soon as we'd finish with something, they bring out more - it just kept coming. I'd hate to have to clean up after that meal! We really liked the dish bulgogi, which is a beef you barbecue at the table. Yum! Although, it was very hot and often required a nice ice cream cone to cool off our mouths! :)
The eating experience was not without its interesting moments. I've had octopus before, but I'd never just gnawed on a tentacle. I ate eel, tiny, dried fish and even a silkworm!!!!!
Needless to say, I was so ready for a cheeseburger when I came home!
Korean food was an adventure in and of itself. I went in ready to try everything (and I did), but I can't say I loved it all. It's very healthy and much of it is tasty. However, I found that a lot of it tasted alike. It's spicy, which I didn't mind, and heavy on fish and vegetables.
The food is usually served in tons of small dishes, which winds up nearly covering the whole table! The locals said we ate really well on our trip, that they only use that many dishes for special meals. Well, we ate special every meal. The meal we had in the picture on the left consisted of 16 different dishes. As soon as we'd finish with something, they bring out more - it just kept coming. I'd hate to have to clean up after that meal! We really liked the dish bulgogi, which is a beef you barbecue at the table. Yum! Although, it was very hot and often required a nice ice cream cone to cool off our mouths! :)
The eating experience was not without its interesting moments. I've had octopus before, but I'd never just gnawed on a tentacle. I ate eel, tiny, dried fish and even a silkworm!!!!!
Needless to say, I was so ready for a cheeseburger when I came home!
Technology
The technological advancements there was a running theme throughout my trip. My first night I thought I was turning on the air conditioning right before bed, but I accidently turned on the heated floors, making it 90 degrees in my room when I woke up. I walked across my floors like you walk across a beach in July! Got that figured out, but in the process also turned off my hot water and had an icy shower. Yeah, by 9am the front desk staff thought I was an idiot...
Most places had western style toilets, but we did occasionally run into Eastern ones. The first time I used one was so exciting, but yeah - that wore off real quick. Check this out (and yes, you have to squat):
The technological advancements there was a running theme throughout my trip. My first night I thought I was turning on the air conditioning right before bed, but I accidently turned on the heated floors, making it 90 degrees in my room when I woke up. I walked across my floors like you walk across a beach in July! Got that figured out, but in the process also turned off my hot water and had an icy shower. Yeah, by 9am the front desk staff thought I was an idiot...
Most places had western style toilets, but we did occasionally run into Eastern ones. The first time I used one was so exciting, but yeah - that wore off real quick. Check this out (and yes, you have to squat):
Less gross and way more cool was their answer to the umbrella problem. Koreans are very fussy about people walking into buildings with dripping umbrellas (I don't blame them), but who wants to leave their umbrella at the door to be stolen? Well, two answers. Umbrella locks and bags. The bags are far more common. At department stores, they actually have people manning the bags to make sure you use them. Just stick your umbrella in, and pull. Kinda like getting a bag for your produce at the grocery store.
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