경주 [GyeongJu]

From July 20, 2012 Friday 

Today was the ISO's field trip to 경주 [GyeongJu]! This used to be the Silla Dynasty's, which was one of the three major dynasties of Korea, capitol. 

We were supposed to meet at 9 30am, but I went a bit late. Ling and Hyewon left a bit earlier to grab some breakfast, but since I was never a morning bird, I of course did not go with them. Instead, I was rushing to get ready, and by the time I got to the building where the ISO is, everyone was getting on the bus. Whew~~ But I suppose there's someone worse than me... ahem. Michael. haha! Called him, and he was just leaving RC! (When I had called, I was comfortably seated in the bus.) He basically ran there, and we almost left! 

Anyway, then we were off to 불국사 [Bulguksa Temple], what S Korean government calls Historic and Scenic Site #1. We were supposed to go 석구람 [Seokguram], which is a cave sort of from what I heard with a Buddha statue, but it was amazingly hot that day and, in order to get there, we would have to hike for a long time. No one wanted to be in the sun longer than they had to be. After Bulguksa, we went to visit a Traditional Crafts Village. I bought a shot glass / cup made by the master pottery maker. We were all tired by this time. So we went to lunch at an awesome place with puppies in the back and ate a bunch of traditional Korean food with many side dishes. After, we went to make fans or mirrors. I chose a mirror because the fan took longer and I wasn't in the mood to be artsy. Then went to GyeongJu National Park - it has so many lotus blossoms there! And also visited Anapji, an artificial lake with pretty fishes. Headed back and we were at Postech by 5. 

Met up English group at 6. We discussed final presentations briefly that are due the following Thursday. Key and Bee decided on their topics. Key was going to do his on our trip to Busan, and Bee was going to do it on the foods that we ate. I then proceeded to send them a hoard of pictures that I had taken while in the program. Then we watched the season finale of White Collar (season1). Intense!!! Kate dies? Then we played Apples to Apples downstairs with some people from Ling's group.

After = Burning Friday! 

It was so funny. Sangwoo and Seokgyu believed that I was dating Seop. Wut! It was from a facebook joke Ling and I played while chilling a few days ago on the first floor of RC. Seop and his laptop happened to be there because he was waiting to do his laundry...Korean Drama ensues.  Anyway, Sangwoo suggested we all go out to drink to talk about it on our English program's wall on fb. So Katie, Ling, Michael, Yeonghoon, Sangwoo, Chris, Seokgyu. Katie's lab friend, and I went to Log Cabin, POSTECH's local pub. Played a bunch of games. 

Went to 2차 @ Tudari with Ling, Chris, Sangwoo, Yeonghoon, Seokgyu and Michael. Shared many stories. 

Went to 3차 @ the restaurant next to Seol Jeong Bin with Chris, Sangwoo, and Michael. 

 Ling got bread for me for breakfast :)  eating on the bus. sweet potato filling

 on the way to GyeongJu ~ mountainous scenery unique to Korea. Clear skies because we're in the countryside

 entry of 불국사 [Bulkuksa] Temple

 pond

 with Ling and Hyewon

다보탑 [Dabotap] - Korean National Treasure No 20. It is featured on the Korean 10 won coin. 

Behind is 석가탑 [Seokgatap] - Korean National Treasure No 21.  

the main temple I believe. it is on the other side of the stairs that lead to nirvana 

 haha Ling

 storing ashes and "jewels" of a very famous monk. when cremated, a very devoted monk is said to leave behind many "crystals" - some contemporaries say that it may be from kidney stones

 a pile of stones (odd # of stones used to create it) to bring good luck and make your wishes come true

 knock one over, and you're ....screwed

these used to be outside toilets they used to use back in the day. Now the holes are filled with dirt

 the shop - (that Ling insists the monks made themselves...perhaps?)

pond again on our way out

 then off to a traditional Folk Craft Village

 going inside, where the master pottery maker is

 the workshop

 master crafter is making a pot! a family run business, and he makes the pottery by himself! even kicks the wheel instead of using electricity to turn it. he is the best in Korea, Estella says. Even the Korean government says so? Or maybe for Silla style pottery; I'm not entirely sure.

touch touch

 his other creations - a rice bowl with top!

 the furnace where he puts all the clay to make it hard

 tada!

he also made the pottery seen in the drama Queen Seokdok. 

 then lunch time! amazing 한식. So many delicious sides! apparently, this sort of food is very famous in GyeongJu. 

 불고기 [bulgogi] also with "100% Korean Beef"

Korean beef is more expensive than others.

 the water tissue that almost all restaurants give us to clean our hands

 떡! Korean rice cake. yum. Tasted as though it was in some sort of flower essence also. 

식혜 for "desert"

 then I go outside to try to find a bathroom, and see what I stumble upon instead! the mommy doggy has two puppies. 

 this one is more shy, but I got you on camera! mwahaha!

then to make a mirror / fan

 I chose mirror

 Ling and I ~~ finished product

 wow awesome

 there were costumes next to where we were doing the crafts. for 3000won, you can try it on.

Ling and Hyewon

 cool. what the inside of a tomb is supposed to be like

 complimentary coffee @ the crafts place 

 then going to check out some lotuses

 grabbed this beauty. there's a Korean side dish made of lotus root

haha Ling "sitting" on a lotus

 then going in to see 안압지 [Anapji], an artificial pond in GyeongJu National Park

 huge fish

 my adjectives :D from Apples to Apples

 hm. what Sangwoo brings back to the table after going to order haha it was good. Squid 

 making 암바싸. shot of soju, shot of maeju (beer), shot of cider. then hit it really hard, then one shot.

our other anju (side dishes when drinking)

 wine? tastes like medicine, but much better than soju

on the way to Hyoja Market from Log Cabin for 2차

Tudari for 2차 (2nd Round)

getting more cocktails / mixed drinks. I think the left is pink lemonade and right is mango? I forget

 3차. this soup was so good. never had it before.

we went in when it was still dark, but we come out and it's bright! people were coming into the restaurant for breakfast when we left haha 6??? we had actually wanted to see the sun rise... too late -.-