Long Weekend Fun

Well, here we go again! The long weekend was a nice break from the crazy schoolkids.

Here we are at the Garak Market, whose website claims that it is the largest agricultural market in the world, or some such nonsense. However, I am almost inclined to believe it, as this market fills block after block after block with the most delightful veggies, fruits, animals, and more. The fish area can be smelled from very far away and strikes fear into this humble blogger's heart. And did I mention that everything is SUPER CHEAP because it comes directly from the farms? For example, we got a grocery bag full of mung bean sprouts for about US$1. We bought cucumbers, green onions, sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, shingo pears, and more, all for ridiculously low prices. It was a welcome relief from the price-gouging of urban groceries.


We finally did some more culturally-based events on our next excursion into Seoul proper, with our first stop being to Gyeongbokgung, which used to be the royal palace back in the day. We got there just in time to watch the final changing of the guard for the day. And, in case you were wondering, they are more just unemployed people looking for a quick buck in an acting gig than actual guards.



Here I am in front of what was once the main reception hall to visitors to the king. It was also where he convened court to discuss things with his ministers and so on.


These kids stopped me and interviewed me for what I can only assume was some sort of school project. I babbled in English about the site for a while, then they asked Amy to translate, which was not the easiest task. But in the end everybody went home happy.


This picture shows the crazy dichotomy (trichotomy?) of images present at the site. The traditional style of Korean architecture is seen next a Western-style building constructed in the 1880's when Korea was beginning to modernize and ape its Western counterparts. Finally, you can see the ultra-modern tall buildings of Seoul in the background.


Amy and Tank by the fountain in front of one of the Western-y buildings. I believe they used to contain embassies and other international-ish borganizations.


Me in front of the building by the fountain. Today it is an art museum. We didn't go in that day. It was only about US$1 to get into the palace grounds, but the museum cost an extra $9 or so...


Finally, some random Tank pictures. He does more or less fit into my shoe, but he refused to cram into it even for a quick picture. Additionally, he is close to the camera, so is stretched extra-large.


He does, however, fit quite well into my cargo pockets.


That's all for this time! ^__^