Season of imperfection

Setember, 2006

A Bunch of Grapes
Harvested in my parents' garden. They have big seeds in side but really really sweet and delicious. I maybe should have put the fruits on a nice looking plate but instead they are on the usual milk carton.

Life

September, 2006

Dandelions are able to grow through whatever that's in their way to simply flower and to set seeds. And maybe to inspire people, also.

Packing away

A packing day in September, 2006

I am going home and I am leaving home behind
There's so much to say
and so much to hear

I won't go back, I can't go back
It is a new challenge, I am going forward to home

Sunset in Ilsan

September 13th, 2006
A View from the Lake Park in Ilsan

At the end of my week-long travel in Korea was the serene and deep sunset at the Lake Park,(일산호수공원) in Ilsan. The park is famous for its largest man-made lake in Asia. Unlike many of the big parks in the big cities in the world that I know of, this park is populated with the local people (...playing, taking walk, jogging, gathering, practicing music...), and keeps its fun and safe atmosphere even after dark.
As I watched the sun set and the sky slowly darken, I looked back the time I got to spend with my sister and my friends, and the experiences I gained because of them during my visit.
Then I was glad I went there.

I'd like to thank the thoughtful, kind-hearted and beautiful people of Korea who helped me to get around and make good memories.

Seoul streets and the Palace

Septemner 9, 2006
Wastern side gate to the Gyongbokgung Palace

Probably because it's Saturday or maybe it's normal, but the streets in Seoul are flooded with people all day. Seoul is big but not too big to go to many of the busiest sites on foot. And the streets are full of food stands and street vendors/sidewalk sales, that it felt as though I ended up in the middle of something that's like a mixture of a carnival and a summer festival.

Gyongbokgung Palace (景福宮）-
Originally built in 1394 during Doseon Dynasty. Sadly, however, most of the original constructions were destroyed during the Japanese invasion. There are other few palaces near Seoul but this one is most popular. Because, I suspect, that it is located in north tip of the city, it has no tall building surrounding and destructing the historical site visually.
Once you are facing the Geunjeongjeon from its front gate, you can convince yourself that you are back in the time of the ancient dynasty.

Scapes with apartment buildings

September 8th, 2006
City of Ilsan, South Korea.

Ilsan is a suburban city just north of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.
My big sister lives and teaches Japanese there now and I got to visit her for a week. It's a lot quieter neighborhood than Seoul and yet quite convenient and clean residential area for the commuters.
One of the most interesting things I found in Korea is the huge apartment buildings that tower high above everything everywhere. They all pretty much look the same. Very tall and they are almost always built in groups. I even saw several groups of apartment building in the middle of a golden rice field, in front of big blue mountains. They are everywhere, and they are building more.