Seven Weeks

[bertine]

I just realized that I am going to Korea in seven weeks!!

• I guess we are staying with Sun and her family. I am not sure how I feel about this because I don't like bothering people but Serinia tells me they won't take no for an answer. Plus Serinia is going a week before me so she will tell me if it is weird or not.


• We are bringing a bunch of stuff from here for hostess gifts or whatever you call them. So far we have nutgoodie bars and wild rice on the list. Any other suggestions?


• We are giving Sun and Jonghyeon spices from Penzey's for a gift but since they are coming back to Minneapolis at the end of June we aren't bringing them all over there. We are thinking about bringing just a few over to give and then giving them the rest when they get back here.


• I found a dress. I just need to take it in at the waist and get a shrug or something.


• I checked a book out about Korea at the library last night. I have no idea what I want to see other than the DMZ and where Serinia was stationed. I am not too worried about it because Serinia lived there and I guess Sun has a list of places she wants to show us.

Comments

[bertine.livejournal.com]

I know! I was hoping you would offer.

So, were should I visit? We will be in Seoul and I'll be there for two weeks but I am guessing the wedding will take up half a week. Otherwise I have just started to read up on Korea.

[orangebeaver.livejournal.com]

Well! I would say see all the palaces in Seoul, but especially Kyongbok Palace. The National Museum is good, too. Maybe go hiking in Pukhan-san National Park, which is basically just on the outskirts of Seoul. I suggest going on a weekday, to avoid the crowds. There are some really great temples there, (a famous one, too, but I can't remember the name). You'll miss Buddha's birthday I think, but maybe not. I'm not sure when it is this year.

The DMZ and the infiltration tunnels is a must. There are lots of tours.

You could take a train down south to Kyongju. They call that an outdoor museum. Lots of tombs and great hiking things. There's a hike up a mountain that leads to a cave called the Sokkuram Grotto, which has giant Buddha in it. I'd also go to Haein Temple, near Daegu. Breathtaking scenery. You can go to Daegu on the fast train in a short time from New Seoul Station. Or, you could go to Sorak-san National Park in Kangwon province, which has really nice mountain scenery.

In Seoul, Insa-dong is really nice and Chogye Temple is in that area. There are nice shops selling lots of souvenirs and antiques and tea shops to try things. It's very close to Kwanghwamun. Unfortunately, Namdaemun, the old gate, burned down in February. It's all surrounded by high walls, but Namdaeumun Market is o.k., and has lots of clothes and stuff for sale.