Dongdaemun Design and Culture Park

Newly opened design park near one of the popular shopping destinations - a design museum, art gallery, shopping space, and architectural wonder.  Here is a view of the outdoor space that we walked into from the subway - it flows around the design buildings and into the surrounding space.  Really amazing building and space - designed by an Israeli woman architect - Zaha Hadid

Day Two - DMZ

We spent most of today on a bus tour of the DMZ (demilitarized zone) just north of Seoul. We were accompanied by a woman who defected from North Korea in 2010. 

The tour guests had multiple opportunities to ask questions of the N Korean defector who escaped via China with her sisters, mother and daughter.

Shrine for visitors in the south to pray to their ancestors in the north.

Prayer ribbons for peace tied to the perimeter fence.

View of the North and South on each side of river. Note the lack of trees in the north side. Firewood is their main source of heat.

Makgeoli - an alcoholic drink

We have been making the point that food is an important form of communication.  Here is an interesting tidbit from our food tour expert -Tasong about how the Korean drink Makgeoli is used as  a symbol of  the common man.  According to Tasong "Makgeolli has been used to make politicians seem more common, human, lazy and country-like. Makgeolli is believed by the public to be an easygoing, conservative, and folksy drink. That’s why authoritative politician utilize it for political propaganda. One of the presidents who knew how to use that strategy was president Park Jung Hee(Current President’s father). Even though he controlled his nation by power, he was shown to be drinking makgeolli with farmers during the farming season. It is similar like when commercials show the U.S.A president going to the beerhouse during an election campaign."

Day one in Seoul

We awoke to awesome weather! Couldn't have asked for a better day to take on South Korea's largest city. We began the day at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul's most prominent palace. Though nearly 90% was destroyed during the 19th century Japanese occupation, the government is working to rebuild and restore 70% of the original palace by the year 2030.

Students and tour guide in front of the pavilion.

The "best view" of the palace, which was intentionally built with mountains to the back and a stream in front.

After the palace we visited the War Memorial of Korea, a truly awe-inspiring and informative experience.

The day ended with a night food tour with O'ngo Food Communications. Three restaurant stops included Korean BBQ, spicy and sweet rice cakes, grilled mackerel and some basic instruction on Korean table etiquette and drinking customs. 

"T" our guide explaining the cast variety of rice cakes (pictured are the sweet versions)

Many Koreans enjoy a drink with their meal. Soju (distilled rice alcohol) is a popular choice.

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) with mussels, fish cake and squid.

Enjoying some grilled mackerel and makgeolli. Definitely an interesting atmosphere!

Tour is over and our bellies are full. A great end to a great first day!

Night food tour at On'go Food Communications

The food tour group run by the famous food blogger Daniel Gray - gave us a night food tour of Seoul - three restaurants - here's Kelsey and Cecilia enjoying the first stop - BBQ - very tasty.  This restaurant had a special sauce that was nicely spicy and lots of side dishes.  After grilling at the table, you wrap your meat with whatever sauces and sidedishes in a lettuce leaf and pop it into your mouth. Below, Erin is helping cook the spicy seafood ricecake dish in a big bowl. Our guide Taesong was really wonderful - good luck to him as he moves to Ethiopia for a year of service.

Lunch

After the Palace Tour, we split up to have lunch - several of us stopped at a noodle place - here's my lunch of chicken noodle soup with sidedishes, including kimchi - which is served at almost every meal.

Gyeongbokgung

Our tour guide - we all learned a great deal about the history of Korea at this Palace, especially about the Josen Dynasty.  Since it's a food course - a little detail about the king's food.  He had 2 royal court ladies who fed him and one royal court lady who was a taster.  Her job was to taste his food in case someone tried to poison him.  I'm sure she hoped that he was popular!