National Museum of Korea

I have yet to write on our first adventure to Seoul since we've been here. So here goes...two weekends ago Daniel and I decided to depart on an seemingly exciting adventure to Seoul, the magnificient capital. Since the weather is still so horrible here (cold and constant drizzle), we wanted to check out a couple museums. Well, after walking 1 hour to the next town to catch the subway, then riding the subway for 2 hours...we were exhausted. We spent a total of 4 hours at the museum, barely more than it took us to get there. The way back only took 2 1/2 hours, but needless to say, next time I am going to Seoul with one of my more experience co-workers! Apparently catching a bus would have got us there in 30 mintues!

The National Museum of Korea was awesome though! Well worth the hassle. It was a great introduction to Korean history for me and highlighted the country's most interesting artifacts. Among the three floors of exhibits, we saw memorial caskets, 20 ft. Buddha statues, ceramics, jewelry, paintings, and calligraphy.

Pictures:

1.) Ten-Story Pagoda from the Gyeongcheonsa Temple (National Tresure No. 86)

2.) Stone Carved Temple Stone

3.) Gilt-Bronze Maitreya in Meditation (National Tresure No. 83)

4.) Us in front of the "Reflection Pond" at the NMOK.

5.) Daniel standing with a traditional soldier from the Baekje Period