Vanesa & D in Phase: Explore

Vanesa and I had a blast when she came to hang out for a week here. Enough shopping, and it was time for seeing the sights. We headed up to Insadong which is a really neat artsy district. 3 Nov., we started in Tabgol Park and then headed to Jogyesa--a beautiful Buddhist Temple. Check out all the older men hanging out in Tabgol Park below. Tabgol means "Pagoda". This park is home to a 10 story stone pagoda which is Korea's National Treasure #2. On March 1, 1919, the Korean Declaration of Independence was first read aloud from the Octagonal Building below. A group of 4-5,000 students were present here on that day, and shouted "Long, live Korean Independence."

Octagonal Building in Tabgol Park from the Joseon Dynasty 1897.

Information below on the stone Pagoda.
Pagoda

Yeah! walking through the back alleys of--Insadong!!

Mandu anyone? Koong's is the best! Lim (93 years old) has been making KaeSeong traditional dumplings for 75 years. She was busy at work when we arrived--and they tasted delicious as always.

Vanesa, Ms. Lim Koong, and me

Jogyesa Temple--Workers were taking down all the lanterns. As we walked closer to the temple, we could hear the monk chanting.

People below sorting thousands of red chilies to be dried. I thought it was interesting this was being done right beside the temple.

A huge bronze bell is located in the belfry house behind the temple. It is used to summon underground creatures, and at 4am it is hit 28 times and 33 times at 6pm.

My favorite photo of a lady sorting through the red chilies.

V quickly snapped a photo of the inside.

According to Lonely Planet, "Jogyesa is the largest Buddhist Temple in Seoul. It was built in 1938. It is the headquarters of the Jogye sect, which is the largest in Korea. It emphasizes Zen-style meditation and the study of Buddhist scriptures as the best way to achieve enlightenment."

Gyeongbokgung: Palace of Shining Happiness (Main palace of the Joseon Dynasty)

According to the brochure, "...the palace was the center of urban planning of the royal capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang). Gyeongbokgung was constructed in 1395 by King Taejo. It was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and reconstructed in 1868 during King Gojong's reign by the order of the Prince Regent. The palace the Prince Regent created was a magnificent, densely arranged labyrinthine complex of some 33o buildings." It's a shame the Japanese destroyed so much of the city.

We arrived just in time for the changing of the guard. This was really neat to see.

V and D with one of the guards :)

I love this shot Vanesa took. Look at the cute kidos.

Brruummmmmmmm! Brummmmmmmmm!

Inside the Geunjeongjeon throne hall. This is the main palace building where kings were crowned and foreign affairs took place.

Another cool door!

Students wanting to take pictures with us!

1978-The year of the Horse of course of course!

A view of the palace gardens. Fall is in the air.

These are old tombstones that the Japanese had taken after invasion. They were recently given back to Korea.

Vanesa, Anna, and D at the basketball game on 11-6-08.

Brandon was so upset that he got fouled out of the game.

We found a smirf in the street! What are the chances?