Insa-dong Market in central Seoul presents a juxtaposition of the old and new. One may purchase handmade mulberry paper and goat hair brushes to create scrolls or landscapes. Find next door a gallery with contemporary art reinterpreting historic Korean objects. Fair trade items guarantee living wages.
Polished brass fixtures enhance dark wood chests, reproductions of vintage Korean furniture. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner by selecting a bustling cafe in one of the narrow alleys. We did!
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, a unique experience in the heart of Seoul!
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is a unique delight for visitors to Korea's largest city. On this site are excavations revealing the foundation of Igansumun Water Gate and Chiseong of Seoul Fortress, the earliest defenses of the city and numerous buildings from the Joseon Dynasty, including a military training ground. Inside the Dongaemun History Museum are displays with relics arranged to tell the park's chronology.
Rising above the historic ruins is an ultra-modern event hall and design gallery and landscaped gardens, which replaced Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium. Artists produce original pieces for sale and local crafts delight visitors. While enjoying sweet Americano coffee blend, we watched young women try new fashions, artfully posing for photos.
MORE from VisitKorea.or.kr
Experiencing traditional healing at Solgaheon
My friendly guide Park Jay and I visited a traditional healing cafe operated by Jinsan Korean Herbal Pharmacy nearby busy Tongin Market. Our aim was to relax with medicinal herbal tea on a cool winter's day. I selected Ganggeun tea for muscular skeletal strength, knees or lower back problems. Hot tea was quietly served wth complementary healthy snacks of pumpkin seeds, dried jujube and light sweet grain cookies.
The pinewood scent and phytoncides of the building are attributed to promote healing, an antidote to the busy modern lifestyle. We quickly shed our coats inside the well-lit cafe made warm by forced heat beneath tile flooring, a modern take to the approach used by Joseon kings hundreds of years ago!
Some come to Solgaheon to rest in special red clay healing rooms or improve blood circulation in herbal foot baths. Others seek herbal treatments for disorders of digestion, circulation, muscular aches and low energy. It was time to leave all too soon!
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Jogyesa Temple, a center of Korean Buddhism
Jogyesa Temple sits in the heart of modern Seoul, but retains its 14th Century heart. Today, it bears the status of head temple of Korean Buddhism, known by its three golden seated Buddhas in a center hall visited by the faithful. Grey-robed monks strolled temple grounds on their way to perform duties.
This colorful hall is the site of rituals, celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. During our visit today, workers installed colorful paper lanterns in the ancient trees on the temple grounds. Buddha taught the path to enlightenment, free from daily suffering and miseries of mankind, may be achieved through the Eightfold Path -- believe right, desire right, think right, live right, do the right things, think the right thoughts, behave right and practice deep reflection.
Nature is important to Buddhism. Five tree species, including teak, bush beech, iron wood, acacia and jackfruit, are integral to temple construction. Six kinds of grasses, fruits and flowers are used as holy water for monks, thoughtfully planted in gardens surrounding central temples, and given as tributes with prayers. Guests may register for a temple stay, lasting one or several days. This participatory experience teaches Buddhist precepts guided by monks, MORE
This colorful hall is the site of rituals, celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. During our visit today, workers installed colorful paper lanterns in the ancient trees on the temple grounds. Buddha taught the path to enlightenment, free from daily suffering and miseries of mankind, may be achieved through the Eightfold Path -- believe right, desire right, think right, live right, do the right things, think the right thoughts, behave right and practice deep reflection.
Nature is important to Buddhism. Five tree species, including teak, bush beech, iron wood, acacia and jackfruit, are integral to temple construction. Six kinds of grasses, fruits and flowers are used as holy water for monks, thoughtfully planted in gardens surrounding central temples, and given as tributes with prayers. Guests may register for a temple stay, lasting one or several days. This participatory experience teaches Buddhist precepts guided by monks, MORE
Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Once the sacred home of kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Changdeokgung Palace is a favorite stop for tourists to South Korea. The grounds of this secondary palace were carefully designed for harmony with nature and include walled gardens and ceremonial pavilions, reception areas and private residences.
Visitors enter courtyards through a series of three gates to view the administrative court, royal residential court and official audience court. Lovely wooden buildings with tiled hipped roofs rest atop granite platforms.
Injeongjeon Hall is the throne hall used for formal state events including ministerial audiences and receiving foreign envoys. Sacred animals atop the roof and boldly painted features in colors (blue, red, yellow, white and black) representing five elements proclaim the use of these buildings.
Blue-glazed roof tiles of Seonjeongjeon denote the council hall, a color reserved for the palace. Nakseonjae Hall was the residence of a favorite concubine and features door panels and floor covered with mulberry paper and an in-floor heating system.
Learn more about Changdeokgung Palace Complex
YouTube tour (2:28)
Visitors enter courtyards through a series of three gates to view the administrative court, royal residential court and official audience court. Lovely wooden buildings with tiled hipped roofs rest atop granite platforms.
Injeongjeon Hall is the throne hall used for formal state events including ministerial audiences and receiving foreign envoys. Sacred animals atop the roof and boldly painted features in colors (blue, red, yellow, white and black) representing five elements proclaim the use of these buildings.
Blue-glazed roof tiles of Seonjeongjeon denote the council hall, a color reserved for the palace. Nakseonjae Hall was the residence of a favorite concubine and features door panels and floor covered with mulberry paper and an in-floor heating system.
Learn more about Changdeokgung Palace Complex
YouTube tour (2:28)
Monday, February 26, 2018
Arrival in Seoul for an Adventure
Safe arrival after a journey of 7,000 miles lasting more than 24 hours, an odyssey to be certain! Korean Airlines maintains high standards of customer service with careful attention to passenger safety.
After a lengthy wait to clear Customs, it was time to get down to serious business. Seoul is for foodies!
It's easy to make a colorful plate (or two) at Aria, an open restaurant with gracious staff tucked in lower level of the Westin Chosun - Seoul. Enjoyed many new tastes and some familiar as Banchan. Tomorrow will have new adventures!
After a lengthy wait to clear Customs, it was time to get down to serious business. Seoul is for foodies!
It's easy to make a colorful plate (or two) at Aria, an open restaurant with gracious staff tucked in lower level of the Westin Chosun - Seoul. Enjoyed many new tastes and some familiar as Banchan. Tomorrow will have new adventures!
Sunday, February 25, 2018
2018 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremonies
From NYTimes.com
Live coverage, podcasts, video highlights, Watch the Olympic Channel now
We look forward to the opening ceremony for 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on March 09! Link to NBC Sports for live coverage
"PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea concluded with a rousing, rocking closing ceremony. Here’s a look at what happened:
The 2018 Olympics End With a Dance Party
The last 15 minutes of the ceremony were listed as an electronic dance music party. The DJs cranking loud music included Raiden (not the Mortal Kombat character), and Martin Garrix, the Dutch superstar of the scene. The athletes streamed out of the stands onto the floor and many of them danced. The American skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn led a conga line. A fun and unregimented way to end things. That wraps up the closing ceremony, and the 2018 Winter Olympics. Annyeong from Pyeongchang!
...And … speeches. Eight minutes of speeches. Lee Hee-beom, president of the organizing committee, and Thomas Bach, Olympic champion in fencing (mentioned for the third time).
Bach spoke directly to North and South Korea. 'You have shown how sport brings people together in our very fragile world, you have shown how sport builds bridges.'”
Read MORELive coverage, podcasts, video highlights, Watch the Olympic Channel now
We look forward to the opening ceremony for 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on March 09! Link to NBC Sports for live coverage
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