Tanabata is a popular celebration in Japan which is, in modern times, held on the the first weekend of July. Also known as wish festival, Tanabata is derived from the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi (七夕 “The Night of Sevens”)．

It celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). According to legend, the Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The celebration is held at night. — Wikipedia

Around the first week of July, festivals are held in many places in Japan. Streets are are decorated with colorful paper streamers and lanterns.

In Japan, people write their wishes on narrow strips of paper and hang them on trees or bamboo branches placed in the backyards or in the streets where the festival is on.

Below are some of the wishes people write on the colored paper strips.
“I want to be happy.”,
… “I want to be rich.”,
“I want to be good in tennis…”,
… “We wish to be forever in love with each other.”

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All the photos were taken at the Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa.

Day 3.

Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the Japanese occupation of Korea around the turn of the 20th century. — Wikipedia

The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural cryptomeria wood, painted wood, and stucco.

Deoksugung was originally the residence of Prince Wolsan, the older brother of King Seongjong. This residence became a royal ‘palace’ during the Seven-Year War after all of the other palaces were burned in 1592 during the Japanese invasions of the Seven-Year War. King Seonjo was the first Joseon king to reside at the palace. King Gwanghaegun was crowned in this palace in 1608, and renamed it Gyeongun-gung (경운궁, 慶運宮) in 1611. After the official palace was moved to the rebuilt Changdeokgung in 1618, it was used as an auxiliary palace for 270 years and was renamed Seogung (West Palace).

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Namsangol Hanok Village, also known as “A Village of Traditional Houses in the Namsan Valley”, is a Korean village located in the area of Pil-dong neighborhood in Jung-gu, a central district of Seoul, South Korea where hanok (한옥) or Korean traditional houses have been restored to preserve the original atmosphere of the area. –Wikipedia

The Namsangol Hanok Village offers one the opportunity to experience a wide cross-section of Joseon-era citizenry and activities, from royalty to commoners. A great effort has been made to accurately furnish each dwelling with appropriate era and social status appointments.

Five traditional houses, including some of the residences of high government officials – some of the largest mansions in Seoul at the time, along with commoners houses were moved to the 7,934 sq Meters/9,489 sq Yards grounds containing the restored village.

The location of the village was originally the site of a well known Joseon-era summer resort called Jeonghakdong. Jeonghakdong means “The land of the fairies for the blue crane where the Jeonugak Pavillion stands along the stream in the valley”. The area boasted such superb scenery that it was called the land of the fairies and was considered one of the five most beautiful parts of Seoul.

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Note: All text content are taken from Wikipedia. (I know I’m lazy :-p)

This is the coolest station I’ve seen in Seoul Metro. It feels like you’re in a cave.

Chungmuro Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 3 and Line 4. Both the Line 3 and 4 platforms are located in Chungmuro-4-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. This station is named after the road under which it passes, in honor of the Chosun general Yi Sunsin, who was also known by the title of Chungmugong. — Wikipedia

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N Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower located in Namsan Mountain, central Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1969, and opened to the public in 1980, the tower has been a symbol of Seoul and measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level. It has also been known as the Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. — Wikipedia

Viewable from almost anywhere in Seoul, Seoul Tower serves as an excellent landmark. When the weather and pollution levels cooperate, visiting the observation tower (370 meters above sea level) allows you to view the entire city and surrounding areas. — lifeinkorea.com

Another point of interest is the display of world cities and street names on each window panel. Why not look for Buenos Aires on the window facing that city? Even though the city is not within view, many people can be seen trying to find it through the high-powered telescopes. — tour2korea.com

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2010 April 29th.

I was planning to go to Gwangjang Market just in downtown Seoul, but I got a tip from someone working in the guest house (where I am staying), that the biggest market in Korea is taking place on this day. The market, which has over 1200 merchants coming from all over Korea, only takes place on the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, 29th day of every month. I didn’t think twice and headed straight there after brunch.

The first thing I saw right after coming out of Exit 5 of Moran Station is this Buddhist monk seated in an elevated platform along the side walk towards the market.

After a few meters away, I saw a group of people with microphones, speakers and sign boards. Though I didn’t understand what they were saying, but it’s pretty obvious that they were trying to spread the word of God.

I walked through the market and saw the trades what were happening. The scene was most likely the same as the markets in the Philippines. The market is divided into sections. There are fruits section, vegetables, fish, local delicacies, and others. In this photo, the fishes are laying ready to be sold.

I have noticed that most of the traders were old people. In this photo is an old woman selling eggs.

These are dried fish hanging on the stall.

There’s a section in the market where you can see different kinds of live animals, either they sell them as pets or for food consumption. When I got to this part of the market, I saw chickens, ducks, and dogs inside the cages.

And then, I saw the dog meat right next to every cage. After seeing the meat, I looked at the live dogs again and felt very bad for them.

I spent two hours in the market, and witnessed some good and bad things, but mostly they were good. I was observing a group of people standing and eating in front of a stall. One man saw me taking pictures of them and the food they were eating, then he called me to join them. He handed me a pair of chop sticks, and a cup of soju.

I had a great time in the market. Great time.

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Next post will be Day 2 Part 2, the photos I took at Namsam Seoul Tower. Thanks for reading.

Annyong haseyo!

On Wednesday, I arrived in Seoul late in the afternoon. I came here with just a backpack and a note with a list of guest houses with contact numbers. I didn’t make any reservation for my accommodation prior to the trip. So first thing I did after coming out of the Incheon Airport was exchange some cash in yen to won so I can have the local money to use the phone (booth). I called up the first two guest houses of choice. One is full, and the other one is not answering. I called up the third in the list, the Seoul Guest House, and was answered by a soft-spoken lady (of course in English). I booked a single room with a very cheap price. Anna, the one who answered on the phone, then instructed me how to get to the guest house.

I took the airport limousine bus to Anguk station. I was seated right behind the driver, and took this photo.

While on the bus, I asked somebody sitting behind me if she knows how to speak English. Wow, she’s very fluent. I asked whether I’m already close to my destination stop. She then instructed the bus driver to drop me off Anguk station. That was my first encounter and conversation with the locals.

It was raining when I got off the bus. I looked for a phone booth and called again the guest house. Anna gave me the directions how to get there. Unluckily, I misunderstood one of the instructions, that is getting to Dunkin Donuts. I went to the opposite direction and got lost. I asked people in almost every intersection, and they were so good and kind that they try to help me get to my destination. One lady used her mobile phone to call Anna for directions. So I went back, and continued searching for that Dunkin Donuts. Unfortunately, I went to to somewhere even far, then I met these two lovely young ladies. They let me follow them since they were going to the same direction (toward Mister Donut). They were asking things about me, where I came from, what I am doing in Korea, and so on. Then, I mentioned A Hundred Smiles photo project, and asked them I they would like to participate. And so I took this photo of them.

I found Mister Donut, *phew* at last. I asked the girl at the counter about where I could find a phone booth. She said I can use the store’s phone. Wow. Really? I was quite surprised when she said that. So I called up Anna and told her I’m already in Mister Donut. She said she’s going to meet me there in 5 minutes. While waiting, I was enjoying my cheese bagel and cup of hot cocoa. After 10 minutes, no Anna came. I asked the girl at the counter if it’s the only Mister Donut in the area. She said yes. I waited for another 5 minutes, but still no Anna came. I asked if I can use the phone again. Then, I realized I’m in the wrong store. I said I’m going to take a taxi. The Mister Donut girl helped me getting a taxi outside. I said, no it’s OK I can look for one, but she insisted and told me to just stay inside the store while she waits for a taxi outside. But, I just put my things inside and stayed outside with her. Finally an empty taxi came. She instructed the driver to take me to the guest house. I didn’t know how to thank her, so I gave her my contact card.

The taxi driver stopped in one intersection and called up the guest house. Wow, I didn’t even asked for it. He then pointed a store across the street, and told me to wait there for Anna. I waited for a minute or two, then Anna came with her very big dog, named Ssari (She’s the dog in the guest house’s website).

Finally, I arrived in the guest house. Wow, I’m in a traditional guest house.

Anna showed my my room. I put all my things there then I went straight to the common area. Anna gave me a cup of hot tea, then we talk about my accommodation.

This is common area’s unique and old-fashinoed(?) warming system:

And this is the photo of my room from outside (the door on the right side).

Anyways, I’m staying in this guest house for 4 nights. I decided not to go to Busan, and just explore Seoul and its neighboring towns. And, as what I’ve said in my tweets, I have an instant admiration of this place and the people. They are so willing to help a stranger like me. I feel so welcomed here, and I hope to enjoy the rest of my stay.

’til next time – Day 2 blog.

Two years ago, I had an amazing experience traveling to Thailand. I had a great time exploring the capital city, Bangkok. The first thing that really caught my attention were the monks wearing orange robes and just walking every where in the street. What amazed me more was that some of them had mobile phones and MP3s. Cool huh!

Secondly, it was Monday when I saw the majority of the Thai people wearing yellow shirts. They were all over the place. Then I learned that they wear yellow shirts in honor of the country’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 60th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. Yellow is the king’s birth color, traditionally corresponding to the day he was born, a Monday.

I also was able to visit other places outside Bangkok. I went to Ratchaburi to see the famous floating markets. They are among the most-photographed destinations in the country.

The floating markets are where the sellers, their boats laden with a wide variety of tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and fresh produce, come to meet and barter their products with other traders.

I spent my last day in Ayutthaya where the ruins of the once great city remain.

This trip was two years ago, but I can still remember every bit of it.

I will definitely come back to this country again.