Happy Chuseok



A photo from the first adventure Jesse, teresa & I took upon their arrival

 
Happy Chuseok Friends!  I arrived in Korea right as the country was preparing to celebrate Chuseok.  Thus, my school was not in session for my first whole week in Korea.  It was very nice to have the time to adjust to my new apartment, city and country that will be my home for the next year.  Though I began to wonder if I might feel a little lonely because during Chuseok everything is closed..not that I was planning on leaving my apartment...being as it would have been terrifying to venture out.  I know this is supposed to be the adventures of Kate but by nature I do not think I am that adventurous.  Therefore I am very thankful I do not dictate everything in my life.  Chuseok turned out to be a wonderful holiday and quite an adventurous one at that!

First things first..What is Chuseok Holiday???
Good question!  Chuseok is a holiday that is similar to Thanksgiving and Memorial Day in the States.  It is a time here in Korea when many people travel to be with their family and many places close for three days. 

So..How did I spend my chuseok, and how did it turn out to be so wonderful and adventurous???  Another great question

Simply put...Jesse and Teresa Williams visited me for the whole Holiday!  
 




We found this bridge near my apt. as we walked around.
Asit happens, I now cross this bridge
as I walk to school/my work.



  They are two friends of mine from the USA who are also teaching in Korea. It was such a blessing to have such familiar faces in my life my first week.  They are living in Bongwah which is fairly far from Anyang.  I think the total duration of their trip was approx. 4 hours using both the subway and bus systems.The day of their arrival I made my first trip to the subway by myself to meet them (succeeded without getting lost).  During their stay we explored Anyang, Suwon, and Seoul.  In Anyang we set out on an adventure to find the mountains that can be seen from my apartment.  Unfortunately we found that they are not walking distance from where I am (they look closer than they really are).  Hey!  it was a great walk and we worked up our appetites for some noodles and sushi for lunch!  We did cross a super busy street, found a nice biking/running/walking trail near a creek and also found a beautiful walking trail near my apartment.   

       



Suwon Fortress



On Thursday a very helpful new friend took the three of us to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.  This palace is actually a detached palace.  It was established at the eastern foot of Mt. Paldal (note: it is important for towns, palaces etc to be established with a mountain on the side and a river/creek in front) and built in the new town Suwon in 1789.  It went through expansion and was completed in 1796.  It was used as a temporary palace and for Suwon governmental affairs. This was my first fortress and it was truly magnificent.  We explored and then took the adventure of climbing up top a mountain to soak in the view of overlooking the fortress and Suwon. After visiting the palace our new friend welcomed us into her home and prepared a delicious meal for us that included: rice and curry, squid, some kind of meat, eggplant, and amazing fruit! 
 


G, Teresa and I eating a traditional Korean lunch

Friday we ventured out to Seoul with a friend of Teresa's from the elementary school she is working at.  We explored Seoul through visiting several art galleries, enjoying an authentic Korean lunch of oyster soup, cuttle fish and kimchi, and visited one of the four palaces that can be found in Seoul.  The palace we visited is called Changdeok Palace.  This palace huge and has marvelous gardens (though we did not visit the main one).  Teresa's friend was not only a great planner but a fantastic tour guide.  Because of her the palace seemed to really come to life as she told us stories about Korean history and pointed out details of the palace we would have never caught. This was a great day and one of my personal favorite for only having been in Korea for one week!  It will be hard to top!  

Changdeok Palace in Seoul




Saturday, I said farewell to Jesse and Teresa.  Well, farewell until I meet up with them again for our second adventure.  Their visit was a great blessing and I am very thankful to have them as part of my adventures in Korea.  Be prepared to read more about them in my posts!

Jesse & Teresa at Changdeok Palace