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For the past couple travel guides, I've hit some places that were fairly modern. Both were very contemporary, built and thriving within the past one hundred (give or take) years. With that in mind, I've decided to take a few steps back in time for this one, going for a far more traditional location. The place I've chosen is Jongmyo Shrine. ( Not only because it's an interesting place, but because just this week it was playing a key role in Korean cultural history. )
Nicole's Guide to Korea: Alleycon
Apr. 19th, 2017 12:52 amBack in September, I did something I've been wanting to do since forever- I went to my first Con! Alleycon is the name, and it's down in Gwangju (a handful of hours south of Seoul). It's a tiny thing, but a friend and I went down for the weekend and had a blast!
There weren't many people, but people who were there were pretty cool. It was a really laid back atmosphere, which was really nice for my first con (less stress). There were some great, really informative writing panels (one of coming up with stories in general, and the other on self publishing. The last one I found especially good, since you never know if I'll go that route someday. It now seems far less of a terrible idea if traditional publishing doesn't work out). A third panel I went to was on Game Theory, which was a lot more complicated than the first two (and kind of random), but I actually managed to understand a good part of it (thank you TV!). It's basically how people will react in situations, based on logic. It was interesting, and totally a thing you can use later on when coming up with how characters in are going to act in whatever you're writing.
Outside of the writing, there were a few costume/acting panels. One was make up (fun fact- I didn't realize how much effort goes into seriously applying makeup. It's downright bewildering to someone who rarely uses it. I salute you, ladies and gentlemen who take the time). The second was supposed to be about getting into character for cosplaying, but it turned out to one about acting in general. That didn't actually apply to me, but it was fun. It was full of those 'practice walking this way' kind of exercises. It was so silly, but it was good to feel silly. I hadn't done that in awhile. The same woman did both workshops, and she was so good. She was really nice and approachable (actually, everyone working at the Con was. They were all so welcoming and great), and man did she kill her cosplay (Snow White day one, and then a Vulcan on day two). Another workshop, which kind of goes with the acting, was how to choreograph a fight scene. Also a blast- I now know how to make it look like I'm beating someone up. I looked really good too! I'm good at fake fighting, especially slapping. Since then I've shocked some of my students with it.
Of course, there was cosplay! My first cosplay! It was pretty low key, with not as much effort put into it. Tracking down some of the pieces was hard, but an overall simple but effective costume. I was Capable from the new Mad Max. I rocked it, and my friend went with Nux, so it was a pseudo couples costume (it was funny, because a photographer said something about a category for couples and then started to backtrack awkwardly, and I just turned to my friend and said 'see! I told you!). We didn't win of course, but posing in costume was 100% worth it.
All that said, it was kind of disorganized at times (a timetable/map was only available on the internet or a Smartphone app, which left my Smartphone-less self out in the cold). There were also random room changes. discussions being booked that was basically just a table (I'm so sad no one showed up for the Tolkien discussion. I was SO excited for that) that weren't clearly marked. You know what though? It was the perfect way to dip my toes into the world that is Cons.
If possible, I am totally going again next year.
There weren't many people, but people who were there were pretty cool. It was a really laid back atmosphere, which was really nice for my first con (less stress). There were some great, really informative writing panels (one of coming up with stories in general, and the other on self publishing. The last one I found especially good, since you never know if I'll go that route someday. It now seems far less of a terrible idea if traditional publishing doesn't work out). A third panel I went to was on Game Theory, which was a lot more complicated than the first two (and kind of random), but I actually managed to understand a good part of it (thank you TV!). It's basically how people will react in situations, based on logic. It was interesting, and totally a thing you can use later on when coming up with how characters in are going to act in whatever you're writing.
Outside of the writing, there were a few costume/acting panels. One was make up (fun fact- I didn't realize how much effort goes into seriously applying makeup. It's downright bewildering to someone who rarely uses it. I salute you, ladies and gentlemen who take the time). The second was supposed to be about getting into character for cosplaying, but it turned out to one about acting in general. That didn't actually apply to me, but it was fun. It was full of those 'practice walking this way' kind of exercises. It was so silly, but it was good to feel silly. I hadn't done that in awhile. The same woman did both workshops, and she was so good. She was really nice and approachable (actually, everyone working at the Con was. They were all so welcoming and great), and man did she kill her cosplay (Snow White day one, and then a Vulcan on day two). Another workshop, which kind of goes with the acting, was how to choreograph a fight scene. Also a blast- I now know how to make it look like I'm beating someone up. I looked really good too! I'm good at fake fighting, especially slapping. Since then I've shocked some of my students with it.
Of course, there was cosplay! My first cosplay! It was pretty low key, with not as much effort put into it. Tracking down some of the pieces was hard, but an overall simple but effective costume. I was Capable from the new Mad Max. I rocked it, and my friend went with Nux, so it was a pseudo couples costume (it was funny, because a photographer said something about a category for couples and then started to backtrack awkwardly, and I just turned to my friend and said 'see! I told you!). We didn't win of course, but posing in costume was 100% worth it.
All that said, it was kind of disorganized at times (a timetable/map was only available on the internet or a Smartphone app, which left my Smartphone-less self out in the cold). There were also random room changes. discussions being booked that was basically just a table (I'm so sad no one showed up for the Tolkien discussion. I was SO excited for that) that weren't clearly marked. You know what though? It was the perfect way to dip my toes into the world that is Cons.
If possible, I am totally going again next year.
Out of all the traditional aesthetics and symbols in Korea, my hands down favourite it the traditional masks (called Hahoe) for folk dance performances. I love them both as a symbol, dancing prop, and decoration. They are wonderful and very elegant looking -deeply and precisely carved dark brown wood, with a hint of colour depending on the design. There are nine different characters in the traditional dance. Even after having fallen in love with the masks and bought a few to hang on my wall, I hadn't actually seen the mask dance itself. ( That's why, when I found out about the existence of the Andong Mask Dance Festival, I just had to go. )
I will fully admit that I spent most of last month's travel guide gushing about how much I absolutely loved the Korean Mask Dance. The amount of detail I decided to include and describe really speaks for itself. While I was so busy going on and on about the dance, I barely even mentioned the area where this dance took place, which is famous all on it's own. I mentioned Hahoe Village a few times, but it was more of a passing thing. This month, I'm correcting that oversight by dedicating my travel guide to the village itself (and technically some small parts that aren't actually in the village proper but still count). ( So let's get this party started. )
I've been to quite a few temples since I've come to Korea. There are similarities between them all, most notably in how beautiful they are. Another thing many temples have in common is that they offer Templestay programs. Templestays are an overnight look into Buddhist life. The activities depend on the sect of the temple, but they're all an excellent look at the strands of Korean Buddhism. They can be longer with a bit more free style structure or done in a two day program. ( That was the program that my friend and I attended one beautiful weekend at Seonunsa Temple. )
I love traditional Korean architecture. It is, hands down, one of my favourite things in Korea. I don't just mean the big, fancy designs, like you see on temples and palaces. I love the simple, common buildings as well, with their black and white tiles that look piled onto one another and that curve up into a wide arch, and their wooden chestnut brown base. They're almost elegant in their simplicity, and I love looking at them. ( That's why, of course, I was all over Bukchon Hanok Village. )
When it comes to art galleries, I'll admit that I'm more of a museum girl. Don't get me wrong- I quite like going to art galleries, especially when they have interesting shows going on. It's just that I never seem to think of them off the bat when I'm looking for something to do. Like any big city, there are many, many art galleries in Seoul. Some are big, some are small, and they showcase a variety of different arts. There are three in particular that I have a tendency to frequent, and they are three of the biggest ones: Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul Arts Center and Dongdaemun Design Plaza. ( Those are the three that I'm going to regale you with, starting with Seoul Museum of Art. )
There are a ton of ways to cross the Han River, which cuts Seoul in two. Most of those ways are bridges (for both cars and the subway lines), and crossing them is a lovely view. While not visible in every place crossing the Han (it's a long river), in a number of places, if you look out, you'll see an island out near the middle, with a very large building on it. The building looks a little curved, and shines gold under the sun. It's big, it's splashy, and it's called Building 63. The name comes from the sixty-three floors, which makes one of the tallest buildings in Korea (number three, though that might not last that much longer, with a new tower being built near Lotte World). It does have the honour of being the tallest gold clad building in the world (remember when I said flashy?). ( It's not just a tall building, of course, because why would I be writing about it if there wasn't something to do there? Rest assured, there is something to do. )
One thing I love about Korea is that you can be in a big city (Seoul, in this case). and then BAM! You've stumbled across history. Not just history as in a museum, but real life, breathing (in a manner of speaking), been there for centuries history. It's something that happens so wonderfully often, and a former history major can find bliss. Bliss, in this instance, came in the form of the Seolleung and Jeongneung royal tombs. Old school tombs in Korea aren't stone mausoleums or elaborate buildings. At their core, they're mounds.
You'll find the remains of Korean royalty buried beneath grassy mounds. While these tombs vary based on the time period, the mound part generally stays the same. For the tombs here, they are smaller mounds on top of a tall, flat at the top hill, all of those things covered in grass (incredibly green grass, when I was there). The burial mounds are fairly small, surrounded by a stone fence and guarded by large stone statues all around it. ( These are the tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. )
You'll find the remains of Korean royalty buried beneath grassy mounds. While these tombs vary based on the time period, the mound part generally stays the same. For the tombs here, they are smaller mounds on top of a tall, flat at the top hill, all of those things covered in grass (incredibly green grass, when I was there). The burial mounds are fairly small, surrounded by a stone fence and guarded by large stone statues all around it. ( These are the tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. )
When it comes to straight up theme parks, Korea isn't exactly bursting with options. While there are a handful of fairly big ones, none quite reach what we in North America would consider a top of the line, Canada's Wonderland-like, place. That said, the country does have quite a few excellent ones, three large ones in particular. The one I'm going to talk about today (and the one I went to first) is Lotte World. ( Now, when I say that the amusement parks here don't feel very big, I don't necessarily area wise. )
Nicole's Travel Guide to Korea: Mudfest
Apr. 15th, 2017 03:56 amEvery year, something crazy goes down in Boryeong, South Korea. That something is dirty...so very, very dirty. Before you go and take that in the wrong way, I mean dirty in the literal sense. It's all about the mud down in Boryeong. For a week every mid- July, it's all about Mudfest. Mudfest is exactly what it sounds like. It's a festival completely and utterly devoted to the mud that comes from the mud flats all around the area. It's not ordinary mud, of course, because where is the fun in that? The mud is said to be rich in minerals and great for the skin (I can attest to that, having had the mud smeared all over me, and felt how soft my skin was afterwards. Also, it works as excellent sunscreen). It's been made into a wide range of cosmetics and beauty products. In fact, Mudfest was originally dreamed up as a publicity stunt for those cosmetics. It didn't take long for it to morph into the beach party to end all beach parties. I've been to two Mudfests, both the 16th and 17th annuals. I had a blast both years (though I managed to hurt myself the first year, which put a damper on things), and for a few reasons. ( There's a lot more to Boryeong than just the mud. )
Like many people out there, I have a list. It's a list of things to do before I die (a whooping ninety-nine, with sixteen crossed off). Like many people out there, bungee jumping is on there. Another item on there is white water rafting. ( So when the opportunity to do both came up, I took it. )
I've mentioned it before, but in case the little factoid didn't stick in your mind, Seoul has five different major palaces. The first one of them I ever got to see was Changdeokgung Palace, which I devoted two travel guides to a few months back. The second of Seoul's palaces that I was able to spend a day at was Deoksungung Palace. You'd think that, once you've seen one Korean palace, you've seen them all. You would, of course, be so very wrong. Each of the five palaces has one special thing that sets them apart, one thing that makes them different, and Deoksungung Palaces is no exception. ( In fact, the thing it has that's unique is something I haven't seen anywhere else in Korea. )
If there's one Korea is good for (and believe me, it's good for many things), it's the shopping. Shopping in Korea is spectacular, though it can sometimes be difficult to find clothes and shoes that fit. The fashion in Korea is interesting, and the shopping experience reflects that (a warning- on many stores, the sales clerks will follow you around, so close they're basically touching you. It's not out of suspicion, but to be there the minute you need (or they think you need) help. It can be flustering, and more than a little uncomfortable). There are shopping areas everywhere, and I've briefly mentioned a few in Seoul in previous travel guides. ( For now, I'm going to narrow it down, and tell you all about my three favourite areas for shopping: Itaewon, Myeongdong and Insadong. )
It seems to me that towers are a big part of the tourism industry. I draw that conclusion because there are quite a few big cities in the world that boast one. Off the top of my head, I can think of Toronto's CN Tower and the Calgary Tower, and those are only in Canada. Given this trend, it's no surprise that Seoul, Korea's capital city, has a tower of its own. The name of said tower, simply enough, is N Seoul Tower. ( N Seoul Tower has been called one of the best towers in Asia, and after being there, I can understand why. )
Last article, I told you all about the wonderful Changdeokgung Palace. I wrote all about the palace proper, and I didn't have the space to tell you all about the second part of Changdeokgung, which I consider the most amazing part. The second part of the palace is The Secret Garden, and with this review, I am going to tell you all about it. The Secret Garden isn't what I'd consider an accurate name (not only because it's not actually a secret). It's not really a garden, but instead a very big park. ( It was a park used as a retreat for the royal family, with very select outside people also being granted permission to enter on occasion. )
In it, there are the five major palaces. The first of those palaces that I got to visit was Changdeokgung Palace. It's a huge living complex that was built to house the kinds of the Joseon Dynasty, and it's pretty spectacular. Changdeokgung is actually divided into two sections: the palace proper, and the Secret Garden. One article isn't enough to do them justice, so I'll be cutting them into their own separate reviews. ( This article I'll write about the palace itself, and next the Secret Garden. )
Here we come to the last day of the Buddha's birthday long weekend trip to Namhae. Day three, as it turned out, managed to be the best and the worst day of them all. Day three, once again, started off behind schedule, which led to some of the worst frustrations of the day. We left the hotel a good half an hour than we were supposed to, which is never a good way to start the day. ( Despite all that, we finally got on our way. )
Granted, I was still tired (despite sleeping completely through the night), but I was looking forward to the day. I had signed up to go on a three hour kayaking trip. We were supposed to go up the coast and stop at a secluded beach, get out and have a traditional lunch (which I probably wouldn't have liked, knowing me, but that was okay), and I was really looking forward to it. ( It was actually the activity I was looking forward to the most. Like many other parts of the trip, it didn't go the way it was supposed to. )
I'm not going to lie- Namhae was a really disappointing trip. It had so much promise - a trip to an island down south over the Buddha's birthday long weekend, with seeing the sunrise on a mountain temple, some awesome beaches and a kick ass kayaking trip-, but because of (quite frankly) terrible planning and organization on the part of the tour group, it was a total mess. The only reason the trip didn't totally suck was because I met some amazing people who I still hand out with to this day. ( The first problem was the fact we rode all night on the bus (four hours). )
