Korean Folk Village

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day - the trees were in blossom, the greenery fresh, and there was no doubt that spring has arrived. We have been waiting for weather like this, and had postponed a few items that are on our "hit list" for a day just like this. So, after we had breakfast, and packed up our stroller, a lunch and all the camera and tourist paraphernalia, we were enroute to our destination:

The Korean Folk Village.

The village is not far from our place, close to a ten minute drive. There was a huge parking lot, so parking was a breeze. (You might wonder why this is worth mentioning, but this is usually a concern for us when we drive to Seoul, or anywhere unfamiliar, since people seem to park anywhere and we still are a bit mystified about the rules....) It was relatively inexpensive to visit, $12.00 each, and considering its a whiole day of enterainment, thats not too bad.

Basically the village is set in a natural environment of 243 acres, and there are more than 260 houses from the different regions of Korea. There are markets, and workshops, where the culture of the Joseon dynasty are recreated. It was neat to watch straw shoes being weaved, and paper fans created. There were workshops on how silk, paper, and bean paste were produced, and how grains were milled. It was a fun and lively atmosphere to learn how Koreans lived and worked, long ago.

There were a few performances that we checked out: an acrobat walking the tightrope, Farmers music and dance, and hoseback riders doing lifts and stunts.

We needed a pick me up after trecking around the park. We had read in our Lonely planet to look out for the "magician" making dragon's beard candy - it's made from honey hand pulled in flour to widths of human hair. We managed to find the stall where it was being made, and met the "TV star" himself (pictured on the box). We watched them make the candy, and wrap the strands around a nut mixture.

We picked up a box for 5,000 W (5 bucks). It was pretty good, not something one might get addicted to like.....chocolate... but an interesting taste no less. Honey, flour and nuts.....hmmn, inventive, I'll give them that.

We also picked up some puffed rice crackers, and judging by the picture of the empty bag, you can see how much we liked them!

12:15pm

Lexi woke up at 6:45am this morning, and has developed a new habit of nodding off in her high chair. Here's hoping for a sleep in day tomorrow!

lexi april 2010 part 2

lexi april 2010 part 1

Spring is here!!

Lexi and I went for a walk today, and I left my jacket at home! It was sunny and warm, and the buds are opening on some of the trees.

Our mission today was to try to find a light umbrella stroller to take with us to Japan, something cheap, since we plan to leave it there. We didn't find what we were looking for, but we had a good walk, and enjoyed nature anyways.







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Book Market - Seoul

Across the street from the craft and textile markets, is a book market. To me this is a great demonstration of how the market stores display their products. Big piles. Everywhere. Every inch must be used.

Hmmmmnnnn.... I want that book..... the one on the very bottom of that
ten foot pile. My theory is that you have to prove that you have mastered the game of "jenga" before you can shop here.

Tapgol Park

This park is across the street from the hotel where we snag free parking spots at, on the days we visit Seoul. As we drove past on our last visit, I noticed a pagoda that I had seen pictured on tourist sites. As it was en route to the subway station, we spent some time there, looking at the statues, and other historical monuments on display.

This park is where the Declaration of Independence was read. The name -Tapgol - means Pagoda Park. Its a fitting name, since one of the oldest pagodas in Korea is here.
Ten story Pagoda from 1467, which is made of marble. It is on display behind a glass enclosure (below).