Today we went back to the Insadong area to pass time until our departure on Monday. We started off at Bosingak Bell Tower. The tower was once used to sound the time, opening and closing of city gates, and to warn of fires. We didn't get to go inside as there was some sort of official event taking place. There were lots of older gentlmen that appeared to be retired military touring the tower. We headed down to the Insadong market area next for lunch at Gogung Bibimbap. We both had the dolsat bibimbap - mixed veggies, rice, egg, and chile sauce in a very hot stone bowl. It continues to cook as you eat it. Boy was this stuff good! 
Next we headed around the bend to Jogyesa Temple. It was pretty amazing to behold. There were thousands of lanterns hanging overhead blocking out the gray skies with color. There were also hundreds of people there praying at the pagoda outside, hanging prayers on lanterns, and praying inside the temple itself. We wandered around outside taking pictures and then finally I got the courage to ask about taking photos of the Buddhas inside. The ladies tending an altar outside said it was OK - so inside I went. I was quite amazed that everyone inside, packed with bodies though it was, smiled and waved me along to some good spots for pictures. The inside of the temple was beyond beautiful.
We bought Luci a wooden top made by some local merchants (after they showed me how to select a good one).
Next we headed around the bend to Jogyesa Temple. It was pretty amazing to behold. There were thousands of lanterns hanging overhead blocking out the gray skies with color. There were also hundreds of people there praying at the pagoda outside, hanging prayers on lanterns, and praying inside the temple itself. We wandered around outside taking pictures and then finally I got the courage to ask about taking photos of the Buddhas inside. The ladies tending an altar outside said it was OK - so inside I went. I was quite amazed that everyone inside, packed with bodies though it was, smiled and waved me along to some good spots for pictures. The inside of the temple was beyond beautiful.
After we left the temple, we went back up Insadong-gil for some dessert at a vendor and to buy a lotus lantern for Luci's room. There was a group of musicians playing Christian hymns on Korean instruments on the street. It was a neat sound. The rain moved in so we headed over to the National Museum of Korea. The museum was beyond huge and packed with all kinds of relics and art. The building itself was a wonder of stone and glass, but no photography was allowed so there are no pictures of it (though it didn't stop everyone else).
That's it for today. Off to bed!
1 comment:
You will have to fix some of the food for us. It looks good. Lots of love, Dad & Mom
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