historic

Ultimate Hanbok Fashion

Mon, 10/31/2011 - 11:28 — rmcnulty83

Korea's fall harvest holiday is Chuseok (추석), and it's come and gone twice now since Shane and I arrived on the peninsula. Based on the lunar calendar, Chuseok 2011 happened mid-September. Though we didn't celebrate (saving the feast for Thanksgiving, North American style), we did get to enjoy a fashion show. Our kindergarten students dressed up in their finest traditional hanbok (한복) and strutted their stuff through the auditorium. Most of these kids would later don their hanbok again later that weekend for traditional bowing ceremonies to their grandparents.

Gyeongju II: Hiking Namsan & Other Soul Satisfying Fare

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 11:52 — rmcnulty83

Our day trip begins at a traditional restaurant that had obligingly opened early to accommodate our group of six. As soon as we settle down onto the floor mats, side dishes (called banchan, 반찬) and mountain vegetable bibimbap (sanchae bibimbap, 산채 비빔밥) mix-ins start arriving on our table. This will be our fuel during the all-day hike ensuing right after breakfast. Today is devoted to conquering Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju.

Sister Visits Busan

Sun, 07/24/2011 - 12:40 — rmcnulty83

Note: This guest post was written by my sister, Crystal, who visited Busan with her husband, Nick, back in March 2011. We thank her for her contribution to Soju Cocktail and for visiting way over here.

Lantern Kaleidoscope for Buddha's Birthday

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 20:59 — rmcnulty83

Buddha's Birthday is not a holiday I normally celebrate. I've still never really celebrated it, although I did have the day off from work. I knew the day was coming weeks in advance, since ordinary city streets gradually became lined with long strings of colorful paper lanterns. It's a beautiful religion I know little about.

Going to Gyeongju

Sun, 07/17/2011 - 11:29 — rmcnulty83

Tumuli. Tumuli. Tumuli. It's fun to say.

Beomeosa: Temple of Fish from Heaven

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 16:12 — rmcnulty83

On most of the must-do tourist lists and in guidebooks, Beomeosa rates as one of the most important tourist sites in Busan. It was one of the first sites I learned about while researching the city that would be my future home, and I looked forward to seeing the well-known temple. When my sister and brother in law visited Busan back in March, we spent a weekend afternoon at the temple.

Buddhas by the Sea

Fri, 05/06/2011 - 14:52 — rmcnulty83

Sometimes I sit back and wonder when my life took the turn such that it's not out of the realm of everyday possibility to spend a few hours exploring a Buddhist temple next to the sea. How'd I get so damn lucky?

Crystal and Nick's visit in March prompted Shane and me to do some sightseeing around town that after seven months in Busan, we still hadn't gotten around to.

Weekend in Hwagae, Part II

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 10:32 — rmcnulty83

... Cool mountain air awakes us the next morning. That, and the hanok owner's agitated voice asking us through the papered doors to turn off a forgotten light.

Seoul: Olympic Park

Wed, 02/02/2011 - 10:34 — rmcnulty83

In 1988, sprinter Ben Johnson lost his gold when he tested positive for a performance enhancing drug, Flo-Jo set an Olympic record, and Greg Louganis got the gold despite a nasty hit on the head from the diving board. It happened in Seoul.

Hiking Geumgang Park to the South Gate

Sat, 12/18/2010 - 12:57 — rmcnulty83

Two steps off the cable car that brought us halfway up the mountain in Geumgang park in Busan, we realize this sprawling city is even more sprawling than previously suspected. Looking down, we see tiny buildings and bridges and metro tracks. Looking around ourselves, it's hard to remember we're in the middle of the city at all.

Destination: Pyung Kang Biblical Archaeology Museum (AKA the Abraham Park and Kenneth Vine Collection)

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:26 — chrisinsouthkorea

Askos pot - the oldest piece in the museum, from 4000-3000B.C. All pictures and descriptions from the museum's website


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