Seoul Lantern Festival 2010 (서울 등 축제)

The Seoul Lantern Festival was up for the G20 Summit that happened here last week. I didn't hear about too much chaos regarding the summit other than LOADS of cops everywhere. The festival was awesome - with 27,000 lanterns from 24 countries down on Cheonggyechon, how could it not be?





Barry Obama right on top!

Japan had the lanterns DOWN.



China









Baskets! Tied together! I am going to make these...

Bulguksa Temple (불국사), Gyeongju

Gonna have to cite Wikipedia on this one...

Bulguksa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is home to seven National treasures of South Korea, including Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha.

The temple is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government. In 1995, Bulguksa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east.

The temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. kingdom. It is currently the head temple of the 11th district of thistrict of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

Anapji Pond (안압지) at Night

This artifical pond was build in 674AD by King Munmu. After the fall of Silla (935), the pond fell into disrepair for many centuries...it was dredged, rebuilt and excavated from 1975-1986 and now the pond and replicated building serve as copies of the original Banwolseong Palace. Almost 33,000 pieces of historic relics were excavated from the site. Cool! And prettier at night.

Tumuli Park, Gyeongju (경주)

We headed to Gyeongju this past week for some ancient Silla Kingdom action and fall foliage. I have to say the leaves were the most beautiful I think I've ever seen and Gyeongju wasn't too shabby either. It was really really a cool place. Capital of Korea for over 1000 years, starting in 57BC. Old.

Here are some snaps from Tumuli Park - the mounds are actually tombs of ancient Silla royalty and their families. One Cheonmachong (or "Heavenly Horse Tomb") was excavated, and heaps of gold crowns, jewels, ceramics and other personal belongings were found. Neat stuff.

Concentration Camp

Not A Shoe Cubby

where we found Helen's shoes Saturday morning...

Itaewon Street Rats

Seoul Marathon

Helen has been training for the past 5 months for the Seoul Marathon and she kicked its ASS! So, so proud of her...her time was about 4:10hrs and her knee was hurtin the whole time. I managed to fudge up her running past us (:::dangit:::) but got a good ones post-race. Way to go mer.




It was Superman's 50th marathon!



stud.