Billi takes on Korea!: Sunday = Insadong, Sinchon, City Hall

Sunday was full of adventuring! We got a late start because I actually was able to sleep until about 9am. I was feeling really awake and energetic when we set out for the day. First we went to this cool pottery store that's a few blocks away. I bought some gifts that were requested and then we brought them back to the apartment before we headed out for lunch. We had Bennigan's because it's super cheap for their "Power Lunch". The restaurant was way nicer than a Bennigan's in the States would be. We were served the "Special Drink" and neither of us knew what to expect. It was like Sierra Mist with a real lemon in it, VERY tasty! We brought the left overs home and then were really ready to start the day, at like 1pm.

the public spaces are all full of art - sculptures, fountains, etc

the intersection near Bennigan's

the happy korean bennigan's ketchup
We caught the Subway to Insadong, which I liked a lot more than Itaewon. The stores were pretty awesome and I was able to pick up a few souvenirs for people. There was a music festival going on and a parade was involved and a skit. It was really beautiful to watch. The music here is really soothing. I generally felt really relaxed there and we had a good time. Mel had me try this fried something, we have no idea what it's called. It's piping hot and can literally burn your mouth if you don't wait for it to cool down. Mel swears this stand is the best place to get them in all of Korea. I have nothing to compare it to, so sure. haha.

one of the first things i saw getting out of the cab in Insadong - note the tall pointy building in the back

The Galloper! this is the funniest name for a vehicle!

the fried things Mel love

We both think that they are super tasty but don't burn your mouth!

this skit is part of the musical festival going on in Insadong

and then the lady character came out and sang

maybe it was a love story?

the butterflies were awesome, I LOVED this giant market place

you can see there were flower sculptures going up the stairs. very pretty

at the bottom of the stairs was a funny little statue, so it was PHOTO TIME

There was a robot walking around. Everyone made peace signs and got their photo taken

the parade!

i can't read these signs

the important guy being carried at the end of the procession

and of course, what parade is complete without rural people being represented!

it ended with the lady drummers!

We walked a few blocks to the Unhyeongung Palace. It is small and not like the larger palaces but we enjoyed it anyway. It was a very quick tour because it was so small. I can now say that I've seen a palace, though.

one of the first rooms we walked into

one of the observing rooms showing off clothing

the area before we walked outside

Mel taking a break outside

We walked to City Hall area and it was beautiful. Seoul has done a lot of work to make the city more clean and beautiful for everyone who lives there. We ran into a protest early on but I couldn't make out what they were saying and I couldn't see where they were so I couldn't read signs either. Eventually the protest caught up with us as we neared the waterfall (closer to City Hall). THEY WERE PROTESTING AMERICAN BEEF! I will not go into long detail about this debate right now but basically the US sends Korea beef that is a lower grade that what we sell or use for our dog food. Koreans want better, more sanitary beef. Anyway, there was a truck with a lady in the back and she's screaming away on her loudspeaker while a person in a cow costume is doing the "protest fist". It was all very intense and there were hundreds of people involved in this, walking behind the truck. We stayed a safe distance away but a lot of people were looking at us strangely as we snap photos of Koreans protesting American beef. Then we walked down the stairs to the stream and soaked our feet and chit-chatted about the day.

this building has a hole in it, Mel said it was a must take photo

the stream when we first happened upon it

the view on the other side of the stream - protesters not in sight yet

the truck with the speaker and cow on it

the angry cow protest

the best pic of the people walking behind.. there were riot police (HUNDREDS) everywhere but I didn't photograph just in case it was a bad idea

from across the way, still chanting

and I looked down and saw the pretty stream again

and then there was the cow truck!

the best view of the waterfall!

as we were walking down the stairs

our feet in the FREEZING water

Mel was unsure how to get where we wanted to go but we managed to get us to Sinchon/Ewha women's university area just fine. Ewha is the world's largest women's university! We walked up into the University area and took a few pics and then went back down through Sinchon which was so crowded! We were lost. Mel asked a cab driver how to get to the station that we needed and then we headed home.

during the lost time, mel consults her map and i watch this bird

yes, South Korea has Cold Stone ice cream - in Ewha area

sculpture on the campus

a really awesome looking building

from the top of the hill we climbed, our view of the campus

The subway was SO crowded, too. I guess Sundays are the crazy busy days in Korea because everyone was out shopping and everyone was headed home just when we were. With a quick stop at the EMart for some wine and cereal, we came home. We drank our $9 bottle of wine and i passed out. I've really taken to white wine here, and I hate it at home. It makes me fall asleep, though. I went straight to sleep lastnight after I got dizzy. lol.