Saturday, March 03, 2007

Jeounju Day Trip


I was starting to feel like I was in prison. Maybe it's a function of living in Europe for the last 3 years....just taking off on the weekends in search of cool sights. Anyway, the back and forth to work and the pain of the Instructor Upgrade was making me go crazy. I had to do something more than hang out with the guys in the dorms this weekend. I decided to go to a city nearby that's called Jeounju. Recruiting some guys to go wasn't a problem...so we loaded in the Xterra and hit the road. It's only about 35 minutes from Kunsan on the "interstate."

Korea has such an interesting and vibrant culture. Jeounju is a good example of this. As you reach the outskirts of the city you see the massive apartment complexes that go for miles. We passed through all this and hit the inner "old city." They have done a great job promoting their historical legacy with famous dynasties, etc. Some of the old walls are preserved and they have an very large "heritage" complex of Korean culture. They have a Korean "cultural experience" tour that allows you to see what a typical house and compound of a Korean family would look like in the ancient days. I really don't have time to go into it all now...because I'm running late to do some work stuff...but maybe these pictures can do some justice....


Korean Wedding at the Catholic Church in the center of Town


Wedding Attendees (I love those outfits called "Hanboks" that the girls wear...)


Pomegranate Tea at a traditional tea house




Entrance to the Royal Grounds



Men playing what looks like Chinese Chess



Drumming Troupe preparing for the next day's Lunar Festival