Random Update (21.Oct.)

So I haven't posted in over 3 weeks.

As I said in the previous post about Nami Island, I had a fever. Praise GOD I got over it by the following weekend--which was an even longer weekend than the one before. I would have wanted to go out and explore another place, but I needed to rest. So I did and all was fine. I did end up going to Seoul that Sunday (12th), though.

Then, that same week I got over my fever, I got a cold. Boy, was I in bad shape on Tuesday. I felt it coming Monday afternoon, but it really hit me hard during the night. I barely made it through teaching on Tuesday. I'm so grateful that the English teacher told me to just take one class and he would take the other two. So I barely made it through that one. I slept in the teachers' office for a while, had lunch, and then I was allowed to go home early. Since then, I've been drinking about 12-14 cups of tea per day and going to bed earlier. I haven't been drinking as much orange juice or eating as many oranges as I could, but this had REALLY helped me A LOT! I'd say I'm about 95% well right now.

Yes, this was exactly a week ago that I got sick, but keep in mind that I get sicker and stay that way longer in Korea than I do in the States.

So praise GOD that I've gotten better, without having to see a doctor or getting drugged up Korean-style.

I really haven't done that much. Below are the few random pictures I've taken between then and now:

밥 버거  ("rice burger") at a new chain in Hoengseong.

Think of it as a rice dish that you can hold in your hand like a burger.

I liked it.

The one day I went to Seoul. This is from Gapyeong Station (갑영역), just across the street from DongSeoul Bus Terminal (동서울버스터미널).

On my way to the Express bus terminal (고속버스터미널), I discovered this express track to the express bus terminal. Quite fitting, right?

If you want to use it, this is Line 9.

Even getting to the terminal was faster than the other/normal way.

This is in Wonju, at the end of the main shopping area in Jungang Shi-jang (중아시장).

This was this past Saturday night (18.Oct.), after a friend and I saw a theatrical performance (in which my doctor-friend performed). Of course, it was in Korean, but the body-language was understandable.

So yeah, that's a basic sum-up of these past 3 weeks.

I'll probably be in Seoul this weekend again, seeing that it's my friend Tracy's last weekend in Korea. Just don't know when I'll leave though . . .

남이섬/ Nami Island (3.Oct.)

My friend, Tracy, left Korea about 5 months ago. She's back--visiting for a month.

Our friend, Jennifer, decided to surprise her by inviting me along on their plans for Friday, October 3 (Foundation Day--national holiday). I found out about this the evening before. Fortunately, I was waiting on them.

I made it to Gapyeong Station early and kept an eye out for Tracy. A flood of people were coming in from Seoul, so you can imagine my relief when Tracy found me. She shrieked, ran over to me, and gave me the biggest hug I've had in a LONG time. 

Jenny said she and her husband were going to take a while reaching us, so go on ahead and we'd catch up later. So we did.

Across from Gapyeong Station.

The tower to zip-line into Nami Island. It costs less than $40. Still don't know why we didn't go.

There were a TON of people, so that might be related to the reason why we didn't do the zip-line.

Herding the cattle into the ferry that takes us to Nami Island.

Nami Island.

Not happy about how crowded it was. People were pushing all of us.

Just so you'd have an idea of how crowded it was.

Oh, lucky zip-liners.

Welcome to Nami Island.

SOOOOO many people with their "selfie sticks"!

Piles of stones along the coast.

Lovely path.

Black squirrel.

Huts?

We just walked around, we didn't read much or come close to many things.

Bike-cart anyone?

Sky-bike boarding platform.

Sky bike.

World Cup trophies? As fencing?

Lovely area to just sit down on the grass.

Oh, stunning autumn foliage!

Would be better without the people.

Linda, Tracy, and I.

Gazebo on the rocks.

Awkward . . . 

These are not actual balloons, but lanterns that light up at night.

The park closes around 22:30 or so.

The group altogether!

Swan boats and row boats.

Tracy and Linda in their swan boat.

Sick, feverish me in the back of Jenny & JinSeong's swan boat.

Traditional stoves.

Hello!

Can you find your language here?

Leaving into the sunset.

Ugh, out of focus, but still ok.

Very nice place, but I'd rather go during the week. Never again on a weekend.

Gyeongju (28.Sept.)

I made a spontaneous decision to go to Gyeongju last week. I arrived Saturday night and left Sunday evening. Some highlights:

The setting sun from Hoengseong Bus Terminal.

Where my bus will be parked for me (and others) to board.

My confirmation printout beside the guesthouse's visitor's book.

The main lobby area of the guesthouse.

All the rooms were upstairs, as well as one half-way up the stairs.

For more information, go here.

Sign from the outside.

Guesthouse from the outside, on the alley.

Same alley, a Hanok (traditional Korean house) cafe.

Didn't go in. If I'm back again, I will.

I got a taxi from the Intercity Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Post Office (the biggest one, not the only one). I walked down the street to the right of the post office. Walk down that promenade until you see these signs to your right.

This is the alley's name,

Gyeongju Post Office is right across this huge KEB bank. Can't miss it.

Shilla (one of Korea's 3 kingdoms, which eventually united the entire peninsula) kings' tombs.

Maps and signs everywhere.

Major tourist town.

All school kids have field trips to this city, that's how big of a deal it is.

Egypt has pyramids; Korea has mounds.

Panoramic view of the park.

Clearer view of the tombs.

Hooray for info.

Cheomseongdae

I really wanted to see this.

Ok, saw it. Now time to move on.

Lots of things are nearby.

Tour mobile of some type going into a Hanok (Korean traditional house) village.

Everywhere,

At the end of this lane is a cafe I went to.

I like the inside very much.

I'm sure a termite would too.

Yay, bridge!

Too bad it's closed for renovations (it looked that way).

The same cafe from the other side.

Roar.

Very fruitful Persimmon tree.

I believe they're called "Rape seed flowers."

Nice landscape work.

There's a "lovers' maze" with Cheomseongdae in the background.

This had a video (15 min.?) about how Gyeongju would have looked like during its golden era, as capital of the Shilla Kingdom, and then of the United Kingdom.

Just beyond that gate. You can see a few roofs.

The main museum.

A model of Gyeongju during its said golden era.

Behind the main museum.

I find them impressive.

Next stop.

Bulguksa entrance.

More info.

Bulguksa, behind all the trees.

I really liked this tree, and how it's supported.

A somewhat clearer view of Bulguksa.

And actually somewhat handicapped-friendly!

It's just a complex of temples and more temples.

Little piles of stones.

I understand it's for reciting prayers?

The stairs are quite steep.

The main, larger courtyard.

Reconstruction/archaeological preserve.

Not too clear what's inside. It was closed to the public.

Same courtyard.

Fresh mountain/spring water.

Not far is a grotto where you can see a huge sitting Buddha (like in the picture on the left). I was told at the guesthouse that it's closed, undergoing renovation. So this picture will have to suffice.

Walking towards the bus terminal, I come across this tomb park.

Not many people would do this in cemeteries back in the States.

Something very interesting about this mound.

Below is the plaque in front of it:

Who knew?

The "tomb park".

Ugh, is this supposed to be "Sleepless in Seattle", but actually trying to obey the copyright laws?

If you've been in Korea, you will know that there is no such thing as copyright laws. You can find a New York Yankees cap absolutely anywhere and probably for about the equivalent of $2. It's "interesting" (I'll leave the definition up to you).

You can rent scooters.

Gyeongju City Tour--if this is for the city bus tour, forget it. You don't really need it--and it's about $20. Just walk around with a map and you'll be fine.

How I came and left.

Looks kind of run-down.

I had time to kill, so I walk across the bridge near the bus terminals and enjoyed this view.

Coming back to the terminal, I was attracted by this,

Let's get the entire panorama!

So that was my 1-day, 1-night trip in Gyeongju.