We didn't really leave Seoul today. If we weren't visiting historical landmarks, we were out shopping to all the stores our tour guide was taking us to. Or we were on the bus listening to all his stories. Or sleeping (me).
I've decided to just share some of the stories he's told us about Korean culture. Also, I'll a bit more organized with my pictures by cropping them into squares, so people won't have to scroll so much if you're looking for a certain picture.
I've decided to just share some of the stories he's told us about Korean culture. Also, I'll a bit more organized with my pictures by cropping them into squares, so people won't have to scroll so much if you're looking for a certain picture.
Disclaimer: I'd like to add that I hardly know a thing about Korean culture, and that the stories I talk about here are based on what our tour guide had explained during our trip, and a little further research that helped jog my memory.
Let's get crackin' then.
Ginseng
Let's start with the ginseng store:
Literally translated as human root due to its shape, ginseng has been revered throughout Korea for its natural medicinal properties for centuries. While not exactly a cure all for various diseases, it does however provide the body a boost of energy and nutrients that promote longevity.
In the olden times, ginseng has already been known for its health benefits. Koreans that time went to the mountains to find ginseng, which was already considered a valuable commodity at the time. It was so much that a root was enough to buy land, or a new house.
In recent years, some Korean scientists have discovered that one can tell the age of a ginseng root by counting its flowers and main roots. However, at its 7th year, the ginseng begins to rot; its 6th year is considered the year of maturity, when its effects are most potent. So you can just imagine how expensive these these things can become (~$520.00 USD, and it can get even higher).
You can buy them at this store in capsule, powder, or dried root form. The staff here are more than willing to give you a tour before you buy their products, but I'd recommend you take a lot of money… Say, ~$1,000.00 USD maybe? You should be able to buy enough for a year's worth. Maybe two.
If you plan to enter the palace, you can find the rates here.
In Japan, they have what they call the Tokyo Skytree, where you can have a birds-eye view of the entire city below, with Mt. Fuji looming from the distance. South Korea has their own Skytree as well--with a view minus Mt. Fuji--known as the N Seoul Tower, or simply called the Seoul Tower, atop Namsan Mountain just a ways away from Seoul.
The tower began construction back in 1969, and finished in 1971, when it started broadcasting radio waves throughout Korea. But it wasn't open to the public until 1980. In 1989 it became a member of The World Federation of Great Towers.
Local Korean network YTN took charge of the tower in 2000 and invested in improving the facilities and services the tower provided to its visitors. In 2005, YTN collaborated with CJ Corporation to redesign the tower, and in December of the same year, the tower was renamed into N Seoul Tower. The N apparently stands for new, Namsan, and nature. In 2008, the redesigned tower won the Grand Prize in the World Tower Federation under the Innovation category.
Today, the tower stands tall and proud as one of the main attractions in Seoul, as said by tourists in 2012. (1)
And dear god. I did not expect this at the observatory:
Literally translated as human root due to its shape, ginseng has been revered throughout Korea for its natural medicinal properties for centuries. While not exactly a cure all for various diseases, it does however provide the body a boost of energy and nutrients that promote longevity.
In the olden times, ginseng has already been known for its health benefits. Koreans that time went to the mountains to find ginseng, which was already considered a valuable commodity at the time. It was so much that a root was enough to buy land, or a new house.
In recent years, some Korean scientists have discovered that one can tell the age of a ginseng root by counting its flowers and main roots. However, at its 7th year, the ginseng begins to rot; its 6th year is considered the year of maturity, when its effects are most potent. So you can just imagine how expensive these these things can become (~$520.00 USD, and it can get even higher).
You can buy them at this store in capsule, powder, or dried root form. The staff here are more than willing to give you a tour before you buy their products, but I'd recommend you take a lot of money… Say, ~$1,000.00 USD maybe? You should be able to buy enough for a year's worth. Maybe two.
Changdeokgung Palace
This palace has been around since the early 1400's, and was built by King Taejon during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace took 7 years to complete.
Sometime during the 1590's, Japan was plotting to be future conquerors of the world. They had plans to invade China, but needed to pass through Korea to be able to get there. So they started sending Korea a crapton of letters about it, telling the latter to let the Japanese pass, otherwise they were in for a bad time. Korea, in turn, refused each time.
Eventually, Japan got pissed. They had conquering to do, and had no time for Korea's stubbornness. So they invaded Korea and showed them what happens when someone messes with the Japanese.
At this, the royal family at the time freaked out. They had no people to fight back against the Japanese, who amassed a powerful army that could easily crush them. They ran away from the palace and fled up north, leaving their people behind. The masses were enraged at their king abandoning them, and set fire to therain palace, burning it down to the ground. In 1611 the palace was restored by King Gwanghaegun, and since then it has become the residence of many kings throughout Korean history. (1)
Sometime during the 1590's, Japan was plotting to be future conquerors of the world. They had plans to invade China, but needed to pass through Korea to be able to get there. So they started sending Korea a crapton of letters about it, telling the latter to let the Japanese pass, otherwise they were in for a bad time. Korea, in turn, refused each time.
Eventually, Japan got pissed. They had conquering to do, and had no time for Korea's stubbornness. So they invaded Korea and showed them what happens when someone messes with the Japanese.
At this, the royal family at the time freaked out. They had no people to fight back against the Japanese, who amassed a powerful army that could easily crush them. They ran away from the palace and fled up north, leaving their people behind. The masses were enraged at their king abandoning them, and set fire to the
When you look at it at first, the structure looks no different from Japanese palaces. However what's curious to note is the presence of Western-inspired furniture; in Japan for example, if you notice, many people prefer to eat on the floor or on something like a kotatsu table. But here in Korea they have chairs and tables… Actual furniture; a stark contrast to the Japanese who usually did most things kneeling or sitting on the floor.
If you plan to enter the palace, you can find the rates here.
N Seoul Tower
The tower began construction back in 1969, and finished in 1971, when it started broadcasting radio waves throughout Korea. But it wasn't open to the public until 1980. In 1989 it became a member of The World Federation of Great Towers.
Local Korean network YTN took charge of the tower in 2000 and invested in improving the facilities and services the tower provided to its visitors. In 2005, YTN collaborated with CJ Corporation to redesign the tower, and in December of the same year, the tower was renamed into N Seoul Tower. The N apparently stands for new, Namsan, and nature. In 2008, the redesigned tower won the Grand Prize in the World Tower Federation under the Innovation category.
Today, the tower stands tall and proud as one of the main attractions in Seoul, as said by tourists in 2012. (1)
And dear god. I did not expect this at the observatory:
The diabetes game is too stronk, yo D:
Next time on AFK: a recap of my last day at Seoul, and the tax refund policy.
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