Korea in Photos: Culture

I think there really is something to the "a picture is worth a thousand words" sentiment. I can't think of a better way to show you a small glimpse into the incredible First Trip Home 2016 experience than through photos. True to the mission of the FTH program to "help adoptees reconnect with their origins in a meaningful way," G.O.A.'L arranged many amazing opportunities for all of us Korean adoptees (KADS) to better connect to our motherland.

Fri., Sept. 2nd | Group Sightseeing in Namsan

Seoul Tower off in the distance

View of Seoul from the Seoul Tower Plaza

Another view of Seoul from the Seoul Tower Plaza

Yet another view of Seoul from the Seoul Tower Plaza

Locks of Love at the Seoul Tower Plaza...walkways are lined with walls of these locks that people write messages on

The obligatory shot of yours truly at a tourist location

Dance and drum performance

Cultural performance

Cultural weapons performance

Sat., Sept. 3rd | Group Sightseeing in Jeonju

Driving by the Han River as we were leaving Seoul

Random scenery on the 4 hour bus ride to Jeonju

Jeonju traditional hanok village sign

Hanbok Experience: Koreans and tourists alike go to the hanok village in Jeonju to wear their own or rent traditional hanboks. G.O.A.'L arranged for all of us FTH attendees to get dolled up. 

Hanbok Experience: FTH guys

Hanbok Experience: FTH ladies

Hanbok Experience: FTH 2016 group photo

Jeonju nightlife

Sun., Sept. 4th | Group Sightseeing in Buyeo
We took the afternoon to explore the Baekje Historical Museum. The photos below show some of the museum exhibits and the large grounds that you could walk around.

The beautiful, ornate painting style that adorns temples and traditional buildings all around Korea

Tightrope performance

Tues., Sept. 6th - Thurs. Sept. 9th | Shopping
There are so many different shopping districts around Seoul. Each has its own unique vibe. The photos below are snapshots I took when in Namdaemun, a traditional Korean market. One of the buildings contained vendor stalls filled with colorful hanboks, beautiful quilts and the traditional pearl inlay handcrafted items. Not pictured are images from Myeong-dong, a touristy shopping area filled with both chain stores and local vendors. We also shopped at nearby Insa-dong, a more traditional shopping area filled with goods and galleries. 

Namdaemun market entrance

Vegetable market vendor

Hanboks for days

I loved looking at the different colors and styles of hanboks

Wed., Sept. 8th | Korean Baseball Game

Korean baseball games are not like your typical American MLB game. While there are loudly cheering people, beer and food, Korean style baseball games include a lot more crowd interaction, singing and dancing. The energy is like a concert paired with a ball game. 

 Never knew that the majority of the Korean baseball teams riff off of American MLB team names. Funny enough, this game was against the Twins (my Minnesotan friends will get the irony of this)

 People eating food with chop sticks at a baseball game was a new one for me

Not pictured: 

We attended a NANTA show at the Hongdae Theatre, Noraebang (Korea's version of karaoke), etc.

Every Day | KakaoTalk

KakaoTalk is the app that is widely used in Korea. Our FTH attendees, and G.O.A.'L staff/volunteers used KakaoTalk every day. It's actually pretty great. I have never seen people use emojis so much in my life. There are some main characters associated with KakaoTalk. They are so popular that they have stores featuring products with them. 

Kakao friends

So, this is supposed to be a peach. His/her name is actually Apeach. This is supposed to be the back of Apeache's head. I'm convinced it's something else but I'll let you decide. 

Because I can't end this blog post with a picture of the backside of a questionable peach, I'll wrap by saying that, for the first time in my life, I felt a sense of pride for being Korean and having Korea as my "motherland."