We never got to Cheonggye Creek 우리는 크릭 청계 할 수 없었어

subway path to the museum,
with music and lights

Fridays are for field trips at the museum! We found our way to the national museum of Korea, as did hundreds of school age children. Evidently I stand out clearly, the kids filing by us would randomly shout out "Hello!" and see if I would react. I usually just laughed at them and said "hello" back, which they got a kick out of.

The museum is beautiful, even the outside, and the steps, and the front door, and the front desk. We can even see Namsan tower from here!

Jane was overwhelmed by the large wide open spaces. Well, that's what museums are usually like. She has been cramped in Seoul for too long.

so much space

There was so much to see we really didn't get through everything.

its a pillow

"hmm, this would look nice in my kitchen"

Very old artifacts here, with some really distinct ceramics, calligraphy and art, garments and even an ornate gold crown from a queen (that somehow I didn't actually take the picture of). Lots of Buddha, too.
My favorite was the painted screens, with mountain scenes and blossoms. They were so gently and calm. And don't you know there is one with a kitty!

One room had a mix of old art and modern technology art - the five panels are computerized images of original painted screens. As we sat and watched the birds would fly around, the water poured over the rocks, the people walked around, even the seasons changed! It was that extra dimension that the painter couldn't include, I thought it really made it special.

it is winter time, everything covered in snow
& the red glow from the fires and houses

a fancy dancer

even a Bible c. 1950,
in a language I definitely can't read

It was my last day to play a learning game with Jane's students, they are so funny. When Jane asks them to explain the meaning of a word, like "laying eggs" they often resort to animated gestures and charades.

"Honey, honey"

For the evening Jane took me to another traditional street that has lots of places to explore. We were distracted by these guys making candy filled with nuts. They draw you in with a little humor, and then in broken English count how many strings they make - they pull the honey through the corn starch and it gets stringy, at 60,000 strings it is ready to wrap around the nuts to make the treat.






It was actually so late, and we were so hungry, but I wanted dulsot bibimpap. We stepped into one restaurant that advertised this on their menu posted outside, but soon saw that was only served at lunch, and dinner was going to be overpriced, and of the sea. As embarrassing as it is to walk back out after being seated, we did. Just a step across the alley (where there were cats loitering) we tried again, and this time we stepped into the most charming, cozy place, and dinner was so great! Hi-dee hi-dee hoo!


We had traditional rice wine that we drank out of bowls, tasty side dishes, my bibimpap, and tuna and beef. It's my new favorite restaurant.

We left a little piece of ourselves there, just like Korea has a special little place in my heart.

[awe]

on the window by our table