The last few days we have been exploring some more rural areas of South Korea, specifically the towns of Suncheon, Naganeupsong, Gwangju, Damyang, Gyeongju, and Bulguksa. It's been fairly calm and also fairly rainy, so we've spent a little more time indoors than planned in the afternoons and evenings. Thankfully, most mornings and some afternoons, we've been able to travel around via train, bus, taxi, and foot and soak in the sights.
Suncheon: We had the best meal served to us by an 8 year old kid, whose eyes showed exactly how terrified of having to speak English to us every time he walked to our table. We also got to walk along the river, visit the botanical gardens, and hike up some small mountains where little pagodas and temples are.
Naganeupsong Folk Village: Like a Korean version of Jamestown, except with 95% less tourists and that people actually live and work and farm here. One of the quietest and most scenic places with huts that are super super old, with roofs held down partially by the gourds and pumpkins growing on top. They also let you try on Korean clothing, but Liban would only wear this fancy schmancy hat. Mostly, we were thrilled to succeed in navigating public transportation (45 minutes out of town) to get here with 0 English assistance.
Bamboo Gardens: So, so cool to hike and find some bamboo swings in within this small forest. Afterwards, we just walked around some nearby land and had bamboo ice cream. Please note that my paint shorts have now visited 11 countries. (I know you're proud, Mom)
Bulguksa: A series of temples made in 500 A.D., which unfortunately got burnt down in the 1500s by Japanese invaders (which apparently happened with most historical things). But after studying it, they rebuilt it as close to the original as possible. Photos were not allowed within the temples, only in the courtyards, but it was still a pretty serene place.
Suncheon: We had the best meal served to us by an 8 year old kid, whose eyes showed exactly how terrified of having to speak English to us every time he walked to our table. We also got to walk along the river, visit the botanical gardens, and hike up some small mountains where little pagodas and temples are.
Naganeupsong Folk Village: Like a Korean version of Jamestown, except with 95% less tourists and that people actually live and work and farm here. One of the quietest and most scenic places with huts that are super super old, with roofs held down partially by the gourds and pumpkins growing on top. They also let you try on Korean clothing, but Liban would only wear this fancy schmancy hat. Mostly, we were thrilled to succeed in navigating public transportation (45 minutes out of town) to get here with 0 English assistance.
Bulguksa: A series of temples made in 500 A.D., which unfortunately got burnt down in the 1500s by Japanese invaders (which apparently happened with most historical things). But after studying it, they rebuilt it as close to the original as possible. Photos were not allowed within the temples, only in the courtyards, but it was still a pretty serene place.
Gyeongju: This town may be my favorite place so far and is where we are sleeping on the floor tonight! It's peaceful and picturesque, filled with old beauty. We are staying in a traditional hanok, which is over 100 years old and was built for very very short people. The town has mounds everywhere that are tombs for royalty of the past, and nothing really exciting happens here, which is probably why I love it so much. Oh, and because the people are super friendly and chat with us. The top photo is the door looking into our room, and the bottom is looking out of our room. (I've only hit my head on the door frame twice so far.) It's just so pretty!!
In between rural areas, we went to Daegu yesterday to see Sooin & her family. I began teaching Sooin English when she lived in Columbia, and I've continued doing so online after she moved back to Korea. She's my reason for waking up at 6-7 a.m. on Sundays for the last 4 years, and it was so good to get to see her in person again! Her family treated us to a wonderful hotel room and dinner, which was a refreshing break from climbing around our drying laundry in a small hostel room!
The best part, however is yet to come! Tomorrow, we are traveling to Miryang where I'll get to see one of my best friends, Soa, for the first time in almost 5 years!!! We have a lot of catching up to do, so it's a good thing Liban packed his earbuds.
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