Gyeongju to Seoul

Our time in Korea is almost done so it's time for another post. We traveled from Busan to Gyeongju to a small town called Samcheok to Seoul. Although I've only seen a few places in Korea it has left a very positive impression on me. As much as I try to summon up some bitter and sarcastic comments... I have none! That's definitely a first.

We left Gyeongju after a wonderful two days of seeing ancient Korean things whose meanings are lost on me because I know very little about Korea. Usually I make it a point to know a bit about the things we see, just to put it into context and make it more interesting for myself. However, we didn't have very much time to plan for the first part of this trip so I don't know much at all. This has been one disappointing part of the trip so far and one that is totally my fault. I can't wait to go to China as I have read as many books as I could get my hands on in Japan... Maybe then I won't feel like such a dunce.

Anyway, when we left Gyeongju we had no idea how to get to Samcheok and no reservations. This made me a little nervous but in the spirit of the trip I kept my trap shut and went along for the ride. It turned out to be fine, although the hotel we ended up in was a little sketchy. First thing learned on the trip: be happy with absolutely no plans, even if you might have to sleep in a train station.

Samcheok was really nice, we visited a huge limestone cave complex. There was metal scaffolding leading about 2 km into the cave. We could walk and look at the stalactites and stalagmites etc. It was really neat and so huge! After this we got sucked into going to yet another phallic shrine. The 'penis park' just outside of the city drew all 4 of us in with promises of huge wooden carvings by the beach. It didn't disappoint... there were wooden carvings, bronze statues, a mechanical moving penis and a 'museum of procreation'. By the end of the afternoon we were all thoroughly grossed out and I think I will NEVER again go to any sort of genital themed park or shrine.

Yesterday we arrived in Seoul. I learned there are more than 10 million people here and you wouldn't know it as there are trees and parks everywhere and it's quite clean. We went to the old castle grounds and took in the massive halls and gates painted with bright colours. In Japan the temples were a little more austere, here they are painted in bright colours with many patterns.

Today we went to the hospital to get malaria drugs. Both Amy and I decided that we should visit a hospital in every country, not as a patient with any sort of serious illness of coarse. I have a half-baked theory that the healthcare system in a country tells a lot about the people and society. If my theory is correct Korea is a very efficient place... Everything was computerized and run like a finely oiled machine and as everyone was really helpfull. I was VERY impressed! After this we went to the Korean War Memorial Museum to pick up some much needed history. Now when we go to the DMZ I will know a little more about the war than when it started and ended.

That is all the updating I can do right now, back to the large room with 5 other people.... Serenity now!