Field trip!

Preface: I started this post the Thursday before last so it applies to the field trip we had on the 23rd of August 2012.

 So this is my first post to the blog. Shaina is tired of doing them all so I figured she needed a break. On Wednesday we went on a field trip off campus to a Korean Cultural Center where we played traditional Korean drums, participated in a traditional Korean dance, and partook in some Korean papercraft. Playing the Korean drums was very fascinating and reminded me of other aboriginal drumming from the beats that were created using the drums, the materials the drums were made with, and just how they were played. Shaina and I both played a janggu, an hourglass shaped wooden drum with a head on both left and right. Sitting on the wooden floor was quite uncomfortable but our class's beats could be heard for miles I'm sure. 

Next our class moved to the auditorium where the very proficient Korean dance teachers attempted to teach our class some dance moves and Shaina even got to perform the very special Lion Dance in an extravagant costume that was reminiscent of dragon dances seen in China and Japan. Sorry that the video is sideways. The masks used in the real dance were part of satires about old Korean customs.

 Finally during our trip to the cultural center we took part in the old Korean papercraft custom known as hanji. Hanji is actually the romanized name of Korean paper that has been made with intricate patterns printed onto it. It is similar to tissue paper in texture. We took our pre cut pieces of paper and attached them with a light paper glue to our pencil box. It was a lot of fun but it was rushed since we were short on time.

 We then moved into a dining area where we sat on the floor and ate at a short table. This was our first experience with truly Korean food eaten in the true Korean fashion; communally. Our main course was Bibimbap. The picture below will show the food off better than it can be described... and yes that is a raw egg yolk in the middle. We then moved as a group to a shrine down the street from the cultural center and further into the city. As we ventured further into the city there was a beautiful man made stone wrought stream that ran along side of the sidewalk. Children were seen jumping in and out of the water and everyone commented on this very beautiful piece of landscaping. The town was certainly a tourist oriented area and the shops reflected this with their pricey knick nacks and various items that could be found in nearly each and every small shop we passed. Shaina and I both purchased some ice cream that tasted nearly the same as ice cream back home. This did not come as much of a surprise since Korea is so westernized that if all the signs were in English you would not think you had left the US.

 After the trip to the village we visited a beautiful shrine high in the mountains. There were many structures filled with Buddhist statues as well as praying monks going about their daily lives. It was a tranquil place that filled us with peace. After walking about the shrines we went to the entrance where there were some soda machines. Being parched and curious about Korean soda Shaina and I both made a purchase. We also drank of the spring water that came out of the fountains. It was crystal clear and was very good tasting, for water anyway. It gave us no effect except to quench our thirsts. We then returned to our dorm where we went out for our first night of drinks since we arrived. I myself had been rather ill the first 3 days and did not get to experience any of the Jeonju nightlife until then. This post is pretty late so Shaina will bring you up to date with the next post. Until then. -Andrew.