The first time

Today was the first day that we've done actual sight seeing...which I'm grateful for. I'd much rather just hangout with people doing what they actually do rather than going to places that have a very distant relationship to the people around me.

This palace and the grounds were really vast and at the same time very, very simple and straight forward. The detail and artwork done on each and every peience is just gorgeous. A lot of the paint was made by hand from flowers, grasses, and plants. Every time they restore the palace they try to use the same type of process and make the same kind of paint.

And...just thought I'd show you some of what I ate today...so you know I am actually getting real food. :)

























And can you believe how late these people work!?! It was after 10pm when we passed these places.



This is a street vendor. When it gets cold they put up plastic. The vendors have chairs inside so that people can come in a sit down and have a bite to eat.

Carrying in Korea

Koreans are extremely hard workers. They work 12-14 hour days and a lot of the work is backbreaking. Oftentimes they get done working at midnight and are up by four or five in the morning to start all over again. So many of these people carry loads on their backs or on their heads for long distances...and they are fast. There were a number of times today that I would stake a place out and wait to see someone coming with a bundle on their head or back. I wanted to get a picture of someone's face. I finally realized that the more true to life picture is probably the one of their backs. They go so quickly that it's almost impossible to see them coming at you because they usually come from around an unexpected corner and pass you before you even know they were next to you. I really love these people and their sincerity. It's been so incredible to see how so many different people live.







We also went to a flower market today. I was amazed by the way it was set up and by the vast amount of color and flowers. It was really gorgeous while at the same time in such a simple and straightforward presentation. Definitely different from the flower shops in the United States.















Above the market







This is all garlic...whole garlic and crushed garlic. I think Koreans put it in just about everything.









The gate to the market.




Rule #1 in Korea. The motorcyles have the right of way...on the sidewalk. They actually drive on the sidewalk and you better get out of their way.





These ladies set up their goods on the sidewalks all around the city. I think they are my favorite. They are the more traditional street vendor; the younger, more modern street vendors have carts. You find both types of vendors side by side in every district.













Men and women are very separate here. The women form strong bonds of friendship, as do the men. Because they all work such long hours or go to school such long hours and are separated for the majority of the day they spend their lunches and walking through the city together. The women and girls all walk around arm in arm talking to each other. I love it and think it is very sweet and endearing. There are so many reasons that this isn't accepted in the United States. I would love it if it were, though. Women, young and old seem to really value one another's friendship. There is a stron feeling of cooperation and helping among them rather than that of competition.





And these are just some things that I saw.


















I ate these for dinner.