All things touristy - in the freezing cold

So, you all probably remember the fiasco trying to meet up with my friend Eric from college the last time we tried to go see some big touristy attraction.  Neither of us had cell phones and we planned to meet somewhere but didn't end up finding eachother for over an hour and yeah...slight disaster.  Luckily, this time we both had cell phones (smart phones to be exact...pretty handy in this country) and were ready to see some sweet Korean stuff.  So we decided to head out to a part of Seoul called Insadong which nearby was Gyeongbok-Gung or Gyeongbok Palace.  After touring the palace, we also got the chance to check out the National Folklore Museum and National Palance Museum of Korea.  Not that interesting as we couldn't really decipher what anything was written in Korean, but still kind of cool to check out (and they were free!).   After, we went back into Insadong to find a traditional Korean Tea House.  We didn't really know where to go so we just started exploring everywhere and stumbled upon some back alleyway that opened up into this really cool garden outdoor seating area.  There we spotted a tea house and were pretty excited as it was absolutley freezing this day. 

History Lesson - Note this information is pretty much straight from my South Korea guidebook.  So take it for what you will, but I'm not that nerdy and awesome.

Gyeongbok Palace (Palace of Shining Happiness) - The largest and most complete of the Joseon Dynasty palaces.  Construction began on this palace in 1394, just two years after founding the Joseon Dynasty.  In its original form, it is said to have had about 500 buildings.  For the next 200 years the palace was the seat of government and the royal residence of Joseon Dynasty kings.  During the Hideyoshi Invasions the palace was burned, but not by the invading Japanese army, but by disgruntled palace slaves intent upon destroying the records of their servitude.  The palace was left abandoned until 1865 until its reconstruction was ordered after King Gojong ascended the throne at age 12.  Since then the palace as undergone reconstruction, destruction, etc.  At this point in time (2011) they are still reconstructing/refurbishing some of the major buildings. 

This was the entrance area to the palace.  The part in the picture is the main gate that leads into the city.  Directly behind is the gate that leads into the palace.



Here is the gate leading into the palace.



Another picture of the gate.  It was actually fairly crowded this day once we got inside.  That's Eric on the bottom right corner.  He doesn't really like pictures of himself...hahaha...gotcha.

This is right inside the first area of the palace.  I assume water once ran in this little moat thingy. (Yes I use very technical words)

Along the palace walls. 

That's me throwing up my gang signs...I mean peace signs :) Very Korean. 

It was really cool to see all the new modern buildings of downtown Seoul with the old palace walls right below them.  It's interesting how there are these extremely old historical places right in the middle of Seoul. 

Artwork inside one of the temples.

This was an awesome temple or pagoda that was right outside the palace and in front of the National Folklore Museum. However, they wouldn't let people go up into it. 

'Kimchi' - That's what you say instead of 'Cheese' in Korea.

There was this beautiful lake area in the back part of the palace. 



So pretty.....



Some of the trees still had their leaves. 

In the very back of Gyeongbok-gung is Cheongwadae or 'Blue Tile Mansion'.  Commonly referred to as the 'Blue House', this stone structure, designed partially in traditional Korean style, holds the office of the president of Korea.  Apparently blue roofs were once reserved for the use of kings and denotes authority.  I guess you can tour the Blue House, but you have to reserve in advance and yada yada.  Still cool to see though. 

When we were leaving, they were doing a 'Changing of the Guards' ceremony right in the main entrance.  I believe that's what it's called.  I'm so intrigued by how these people got this job.  Is it more like Disneyland employees or are they government employees?  I'm not sure.  Either way they didn't seem very happy.

This is walking down the street in Insadong.  This area is pretty cool and it's where you can find lots of good gifts and souvinirs. 

Tea is a big deal here. There's a whole school devoted to it.

Had to throw in this picture, because not only in Insadong but all over Korea I constantly walk by restaurants that have these giant water baths outside housing their guests' next meal.  Yum Yum Yum.

This was the table inside the Korean Tea House we found.  It had all sorts of random drawings, writings, etc, from people that had been there.  The whole vibe of the place was really warm and inviting and bohemian.

This was the outside seating area.  I'm not entirely sure how those people were sitting out there because it looks beautiful but it was ridiculous cold.

Our menu. Luckily there was English in it!! Hooray for English for the ignorant Americans who don't know Korean!!  The best part was that each tea had a description of its health benefits for you.  Example: Such and such tea - Will help detox your liver, rejuvinate your skin, and purify your blood. 

We chose Jujube Tea.  It looked more like a soup or hot chocolate and it tasted very nutty and savory.  Very interesting and not at all what we expected.  There was also bits of the fruit and pine nuts in the tea and some other food bits that we weren't entirely sure of. 

Me drinking tea.  Very artistic photo.

After some much needed warm tea we decided to head back into Seoul and figure out our way home.  We sort of got lost and ended up finding this stream that runs right in the middle of downtown Seoul.  It's pretty cool because on both sides of you are tall buildings and bustling cars flying by, but you can escape below into this garden stream area thats almost peaceful and tranquil.  The stream is called Cheonggyecheon Stream and it stretches for about 5.84km.  We decided to go down and walk along the stream for a bit seeing as we had no time schedule and were lost anyway, might as well enjoy what we found.  To our amusement, there was a random 'art' festival going on litereally IN the stream.  All along the path physically in the water were extremely random art displays. 

No joke.  Tables of art displays in the rushing water.  Wouldn't want to be that guy that has to set this up.

Not sure what this is.

View of the buildings above the stream.

Another art display, not sure what it is.

This one looked kind of cool.  Almost Chinese or something.

More art.

This was supposed to be lanterns hanging in the trees to symbolize the lantern festivals that go on all the time.  I've yet to see one, but hopefully will do so before my time is up.

Then they got into art displays for other countries.  Guess what this is??  Amuurica!!

A terribly done Leaning Tower of Piza...must hate the Italians.

Other Asian countries.



This picture is a bit hard to read but it talks about Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo.  Pretty much glorifies Nemo into the best fish of all time.



And there he is ladies and gentlemen...Nemo..the fish that needed one of the largest art displays!! Yay!

Peroro. I've mentioned him before. The Korean cartoon character that everyone is obsessed with.  This picture is great though because of the old lady with her permed hair.  Very typical Korean woman...or ajumma as they are called. 

Then there was of course Batman!!

And to finish it all off...Superman.  Very Korean if I do say so myself.

All in all a very cold, but successful touristy day.  We ended the day coming back to my hometown of Bundang and going to Open Mic night at Traveler's Bar, the local expat sports bar.  It was pretty cool for Eric I think because where he lives there isn't a whole lot of foreigners, so I think it was nice for him to meet other foreigners and be in that environment.