Insadong

A side street in Insadong

My friend and I set out this morning to find Bukchon Hanok village, where you can see traditional Korean architecture. After getting off at the correct subway stop, we decided to walk around Insadong first, which is a souvenir shopping area. Well...we never did make it to Bukchon! Maybe next time!

Street artists

The film shoot 

Along the way, we ran into a film crew. I'm not sure whether this was for a drama, commercial, or what not, but it was fascinating to watch the director talk to the actors, etc. After stopping in numerous shops, and after spending more money than I had meant to... (hehe..yeah...) we stumbled upon the Insadong-cultural center. Here you pay 3000 won (equivalent to 3 dollars) and get to play dress up in traditional Korean clothing! (Hanbok)

Below: The pictures

Traditional umbrella hat?

Beautiful!! ^^

S.A.C. Water Fountain and more!

NOTE: I wrote this last week, and completely forgot to publish it...so here it is! A week late....yeah....

Although today is only Tuesday, it was the last day of classes, as the rest of the week is vacation. Korea  celebrates thanksgiving on Thursday. Because of Chusok (as it is called) we get to have the rest of the week off! I'm feeling thankful indeed!
Here's a picture of my lecture notes on todays classes (19th century Brit. Novel and Studies in Post Colonial Lit), just to show that I'm not JUST having fun here in Seoul! ^_^





 Yesterday a friend and I went to the S.A.C. (Seoul Arts Center). The same place I had been hiking at a week before. Because we are students, we get to buy tickets at a pretty decent price. That night a Korean pianist was playing Chopin, and I was so excited to see her! Chopin is one of my favorite composers.

Sorry for the bad quality, I only had my iPod to take pictures!
Here's the outside of S.A.C.

The musical water fountain!

The two of us left early to take the subway, because it takes 45 min to get to the center. The subway was packed, as we accidentally hit rush hour. I can now say from experience, rush hour in Seoul is no fun. However we made it in one piece, with an hour to spare before the concert began. After getting our tickets, we sat in front of S.A.C. to listen to the water fountain. Every night the fountain plays music and the water dances in tune (or so it seems). It is simply beautiful. A lot of spectators were sitting around the fountain, simply enjoying the free spectacle. I am definitely planning on going back soon!
Here's a video of the fountain:

The concert itself was wonderful as well. Chopin has a way of mesmerizing your ears, and watching the talented pianist's hands fly over the keys had a way of mesmerizing the eyes. I definitely am a fan of piano (and not just 'cause I play it myself). All in all, it was a wonderfully successful night. God is definitely good, for letting me experience such a variety of things during my time here in Seoul.

My adventure on Sleeping Cow

Apparently growing up in Austria has rubbed up on me somewhat, for the thing I've been dying to do since coming to Seoul, is to hike! Today I went to Umyeonsan to do just that. Google says this mountain, whose name means "Sleeping Cow" is one of the easiest accessible mountains in Seoul. Let me share my journal entry I wrote shortly after my experience to better illustrate my adventure!

My cool drink (much needed) and journal to
tell my story!

"I'm here at the SAC (Seoul Arts Center) cooling down with a cold drink. I came here to go hiking on the mountain behind SAC. I had planned to go find a quiet spot, pull out my Bible and sketchbook and 'be still' (Ps. 46). Well, it seems like that was not to be!

After getting directions from google, I set out from Ewha, taking the subway for 45 min. Despite these reliable google directions I so counted on, I walked aimlessly between towering skyscrapers for over an hour, before finally finding the SAC and the entrance to the mountain. Determined to enjoy the day, despite the setback, I started out on my journey, eager to take good pictures, to draw and to find a space to read. I also wanted to find the temple that was supposedly located somewhere on the rather imposing hill before me.

The beginning of the mountain trail. This part was easy! Believe me, it got a LOT harder after this!

Half way up the mountain; 5 forks in the road later, I was resigned to enjoy the nature around me, even without finding the buddhist temple. I paused on one of the dirt steps hewn into the pathway. Rummaging in my heavy backpack (I always come prepared!) I grab my camera for a picture. Glancing up my eyes met those of a kindly looking grandfather coming towards me, with chipper steps. He is dressed in cargo pants, a blue shirt, and wore one of those old fisher man's hats. He looked lively and hardly out of breath, making me acutely aware of my sweat-drenched t-shirt.

Some of the steps. These were NOT steep. They get worse farther up!

I smiled at the man, expecting him to pass by. To my surprise, he pauses in his stride and asks where I am going in wonderful, broken English. I am so surprised, and so pleased to speak to this Korean elderly gentlemen.
"The temple", I replied.
"With me" he gestured and smiled, motioning me to follow him.

Relieved to have found someone who would be able to point me in the right direction, I put my tired self into motion once more. To my surprise, the man made no attempt to leave in the other direction. Instead he led the way, all 1000 meters, up steep steps at a pace even Austrians would have found daunting!

While I followed behind this kind gentleman, huffing and puffing, he began a conversation. I told him I am American, and currently studying at Ewha, and that I've only been in Korea for 2 weeks. He was amazed at this, and complimented me on my broken attempts at Korean. I felt quite pleased at his kind words.

I also learned that the man was retired, in his 70s (another reason I was feeling quite ashamed at my lagging pace, profound sweating, and loud huffing and puffing). He has two daughters and two sons. One daughter graduated from Ewha several years ago. He seemed extremely proud of his children and smiled, his eyes crinkling pleasantly, at their mention.

Together we hike up to the outlook on the very top of the 산 (mountain). It is breathtaking.

Next my self-appointed tour guide led me down the mountain side to the temple. After showing me around, and explaining the functions of the different houses, I pulled out my camera and looked at him questioningly. He nodded and I eagerly took pictures. Sadly the lighting was very bad. Perhaps it'll suffice for a painting! [if so, I'll post soon]

The colors on the temple were stunning!

As were the intricate details! Sadly, as you can see, the lighting is pretty bad...

Together we set off for SAC, where he left with a smile and a handshake. I thanked him profusely for his kindness with the only Korean I really know, "정말 감사합니다!!" (Thank you so much!!)

The SAC Opera house. After cooling off a little, I decided to
sketch the building. I'd love to come back here and actually
go to an opera!

Completely spent after racing up and down an entire mountain in only 1 hour, I slowly moved to the vending machines in front of the SAC Opera house. I bought a 700 Won juice and sat at these silver chairs in the open square.

I came here expecting to spend alone time. Instead, my path crossed with a man who showed kindness to a complete stranger. I am so thankful I was able to meet this man, whose name I do not know, and through him learn a little more about the people and culture of this beautiful country."

A collage of me being exhausted, the trail and my cool drink as a reward! 

So there we have it: My adventure on Sleeping Cow! Was it an adventure? Although I encountered no snakes, or spiders, did not fall down a ravine, or anything dangerous; I think so. I met a random stranger who showed kindness to me, and despite language barriers, was able to have a conversation with me. Through this man's random act of kindness, reaching out to a stranger, I felt welcomed to his country and very, very thankful for the opportunity to be here.
I think I had a wonderful adventure, and I can't wait for more to come!