Jeonju 전주 is the Ancestral home of King Yi Sŏng-Gye 이성계, known as King Taejo 태조, the founder of the Joseon 대조선국 dynasty. This dynasty united (or conquered) Korea for over 5 centuries from 1392 until 1910, when Japan annexed Korea after years of fighting, including two wars on Korean soil. Jeonju is sacred toContinue reading “Jeonju”
Category Archives: South Korea
Suncheon Bay Gardens
순천만국가정원 Have you ever had one of those days that fill you with immense joy? My trip to Suncheon Bay Gardens 순천만국가정원 was just that. A combination of beautiful weather in a strikingly stunning place with the best company I could hope for made the day joyful. To quote The Perks of Being a Wallflower, daysContinue reading “Suncheon Bay Gardens”
Olle Market 올레 시장
My first memory of going to a market was the Dixie Flea Market in Waterford, Michigan. My grandparents, mom, dad, and brother dug through the antiques and purchased fresh vegetables from the farmers in the summers. I remember the chaos of people walking around, the stalls piled sky-high with junk and treasures, and I rememberContinue reading “Olle Market 올레 시장”
Summer on Jeju Part V Hallasan
Hallasan 한라산, the tallest mountain in South Korea, is not a mountain but a dormant (though some argue extinct; I am no scientist) sacred volcano that rises up from the center of Jeju into the clouds. The sacredness of this striking mountain comes from Korean folk beliefs tell the creation story of Jeju by GrandmotherContinue reading “Summer on Jeju Part V Hallasan”
Summer on Jeju Part IV The Olle Trail
This time around in Jeju 제주, I wanted to wander and explore without an agenda. Yes, there are some really cool things I have yet to see on Jeju, like; the Arts Village, Green Tea Museum, and countless beaches, but this time I just wanted to take things slower, spend less time on the bus,Continue reading “Summer on Jeju Part IV The Olle Trail”
Summer on Jeju Part III More Diving
Surprise! I went back to Jeju 제주도! After plans fell through for my long weekend over the Korean Cheosuck holiday ( Harvest festival meets Day of the Dead ancestor worship), it didn’t cross my mind to travel anywhere else. I had just learned a new skill which I am really not good at, and theContinue reading “Summer on Jeju Part III More Diving”
Summer on Jeju Part 2
I watched the towns go by on my hour and a half ride to Seongsan Ilchulbong 성산 일출봉. In my head, I had dent connected to the seemingly unreal futures that I had seen of a Tuff cone on Jeju, but as soon as I saw it off in the distance, I knew I wasContinue reading “Summer on Jeju Part 2”
Summer on Jeju Part 1
Jeju 제주도 is lovingly referred to as the Hawaii of Korea by many ex-pats. They are not wrong. This semi-tropical volcanic paradise is the ultimate getaway for many Koreans. An hour’s flight out of Seoul, Jeju island has some of Korea’s best surfing and diving spots. You can spend a week here without seeing halfContinue reading “Summer on Jeju Part 1”
The Little Things in Yeosu South Korea
Now that I live in Korea, it’s easy for my life to be perceived as one fantastic adventure with only highs and never any lows. The truth is my life continues to have many lows dispite living many peoples dream. When I travel on my weekends I get hangry and plans often fall apart. ThisContinue reading “The Little Things in Yeosu South Korea”
Becoming a Certified Scuba Diver in Jeju South Korea
On the long list of things I never imagined myself doing, scuba diving was one of those things. Sometime in college, or maybe it was shortly after, I gave up on dreaming. I thought if I could be successful as a costume designer, create a community around me in which I could be effect positively,Continue reading “Becoming a Certified Scuba Diver in Jeju South Korea”
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