A long weekend...Saturday

Saturday 1 March was Independence Movement Day, a Korean national holiday, when Koreans commemorate the day in 1919 when one of the first displays of Korean independence movements against the Japanese occupation of Korea took place. The Declaration of Independence was read, and still is to this day at Tapgol Park, Seoul. The demonstrations that began March 1 1919 spread through Korea and over 7,000 people were killed by the Japanese during the demonstrations. The March 1 movement resulted in a major change in Japanese imperial policy towards Korea when more lenient policies were introduced.

We went to Tapgol park to see the events which included dancing, music and many displays of national pride. At one point, as the pounding drum reached a crescendo, a man angrily defaced a Japanese flag with paint. Next a long white sheet was split in half and the crowds walked through the centre, symbolising the separation of Korea into North and South.



In the afternoon I had a leisurely stroll around Seoul and took in some of the sites in the Jongno area.

This is the Central Temple of Cheondogyo near Insadong. Cheondoism is a Korean religion rooted in Shamanism and Buddhism.
I visited Unhyeongung (Palace) near Anguk station. It's a very small palace, but must have been one of the only quiet places to be found in central Seoul on a Saturday afternoon. It was great to wander round without tonnes of tourists.


I got to take some lovely photos of Gyeongbok Palace, which I went to the day before, from the road adjacent to the palace wall. These are different views of the East Gate. Notice the monkeys on the roof. This is a common feature on traditional korean buildings.


Here are some random statues I saw along said road. I have no idea what they are. Buddhist maybe?! On the left is a building at the junction on the palace road.


This is Bosingak, a big bell near Jonggak Station, which is where Chi He and I saw in the New Year.

Here is a really cool building, Jongno Tower, which has a restaurant and bar at the top. I'll have to go there some time. I bet the views are amazing.
And that's it for the pics. The only other thing worth mentioning is my first bad experience with a Korean person. I was in a book shop on my way back home and got pestered by a Korean guy. He seemed a bit aggressive so I politely told him I was a bit busy and tried to edge away, at which point he said to "Go back to your country, or I'll kill you!" He then repeated shouted this at me, prodded me, picked up the books from my hand and followed me when I tried to leave. I ended up running away from him really scared. Thankfully everyone else in Korea has behaved in the opposite way - incredibly friendly and welcoming. Let's hope it's a one off, but be warned...

The world's largest church and more...

On Sunday I visited the world's largest Christian congregation, Yoido Full Gospel Church. The church is on an island in the middle of the Han River, the river that runs though the centre of Seoul. Inside it was similiar to what (I'd imagine) a baseball stadium looks like. It was HUGE!! There were tonnes of TV screens around for people to watch the service and outside the church building the service is projected in many rooms.



From the church I took a taxi (all forms of transport are v cheap here) to Namdaemun Market and the view as we crossed the river was incredible. It was early evening and the city lights were twinkling and you could see the full moon peeping out between buildings. I can't wait to get a super duper camera which would give such sights justice.

At Namdaemun Market I had a leisurely wander round the many interesting shops and stalls. A highlight was Namdaemun gate, Koreas National Treasure No.1, which lived up to its promise of being partically beautiful at night. The gate has been described as 'Asia's most dangerous tourist attraction' due to it being surrounded by 8 lanes of busy traffic!