DONGTAN: My city in South Korea

“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”




(*click to enlarge!)
Have you tried looking for Dongtan on a map? Couldn’t find it right? It’s because its considered a new city. Right now it has the largest area of farmland of any city in Gyeonggi province. In 2007 Dongtan was chosen to be the destination for the future ‘Universal Studios South Korea Theme Park’ (maybe I’ll have to stay a few years to watch the city grow! Universal Theme Park, SIGN ME UP!) It’s so interesting being here in a developing city, before I know it our dirt roads will be more botiques and restaurants! The following photos I took of Dongtan! Enjoy my city:



Dongtan, South Korea: My home for a year



Our pathway to work every morning...about a 20min bike ride IF we catch the lights on time! ;-)


Welcome to our bike garage located in building ‘C’! WE GOT BIKES!!! So happy! Now we can have an extra 40min of sleep!



My bike! She’s a beauty, equipped with a basket, bell AND a mud flap, jealous!?



Theres always elderly men and women working the fields, rain or shine (uphill both ways ha that’s for my dad) They work so hard to maintain their crops and make a living! They end up having terrible posture we’ve seen so many elders with extreme huntch backs from bending over all day long year after year.



This is the school I work for, LCI (Language Club International) Academy. It’s a franchise specializing in teaching children the English language.


LCI: The Academy I work for

Chang Deok Gung TEMPLE

Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 and was mostly destroyed by the Japanese in 1592, but was later restored in 1610.




"When King Gojongre built Gyeongbokgung in the late 1800s, he had this pond and island built. On the island is a hexagonal pavilion called Hyangwonjeong (“Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance”). The bridge is called Chwihyanggyo (“Intoxicated with Fragrance”). Behind the Pavilion is Mt. Bugaksan."








Our tour guide! She spoke very good English! The doorway was carved from a single piece of stone (symbolizing never aging, or being broken), and the inscribed message is a wish for the king to live a long life.










Juhamnu Pavilion (INSIDE THE SECRET GARDEN!!) - Royal study sessions, poem writings and readings stood in this area. State exams were conducted in front of the pavilion on special occasions in presence of the king. It was so beautiful!!







Gangnyeongjeon is the King’s living area. It was also used for his daily activities and office duties. Behind it is Gyotaejeon, the queen’s residence.





Huijeongdang Hall - Originally the king's bed chamber, it became his workplace because the king found it too small for conducting state affairs.



Painted ceiling in the kings living area. Stunning!







Daejojeon Hall - Official residence of the queen
On a plaque it read :
"Behind the queen’s residence is a terraced garden along whose length stand four hexagonal chimneys. The chimneys are made of light-orange bricks and topped with raftered tiled roofs. The various decorations on the chimney are imbued with symbolic meanings. The phoenix symbolizes the queen, the bat symbolizes fortune, the plum and chrysanthemum symbolize a man of virtue, and the ten longevity symbols such as the crane, deer, herb of eternal youth, pine tree, bamboo, and stone symbolize longevity. On the bottom terrace are two stone tubs named Hamwolji and Nakhadan, which mean “a pond containing the moon” and “a pond that reflects the sunset.” The terraced garden symbolizes a mountain; the stone tub and pot symbolize a lake; and the motif decorations on the chimneys symbolize the world of plants and animals. Thus, the garden of Amisan was a natural world for immortals."







Changdeokgung Palace, is one of the five ‘Grand’ palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty set within a large park in Seoul, South Korea. This palace is referred to as the East Palace, and with the literal meaning of "Palace of Prospering Virtue". This palace was favored by many princes of the Joseon Dynasty. This palace was heavily destroyed during the the Japanese occupation of Korea. Today there are 13 buildings remaining on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the gardens, occupying 110 acres.

Buddha's Birthday in Seoul, South Korea!

Happy Birthday Buddha! (SO lucky to have this experience in ASIA! The lanterns are absolutely outstanding, dazzling, alluring…I could keep going!



Lantern Lighting for Buddha's Birthday: MAY 21ST 2010
















As we walked into the temple I insantly noticed this little boy (maybe 4 yrs old) bowing down and praying to Buddha!


Happy Birthday Buddha!

Being in South Korea I have learned that there’s no shortages when it comes to cultural festivities to partake in while being here! South Korea is largely Buddhist and the majority of Korea celebrates the Lantern Festival which runs from May 14-23rd. In Korea Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on May 21st. It is a huge deal and a national holiday. I kind of related it to the way we look at Christmas in the states. This holiday is celebrated annually with many ceremonies, lantern festivals and other fabulous events! It falls on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month.


“Every year, beginning weeks before the actual birthday, some 100,000 colorful paper lanterns bearing caricatures of Buddha adorn the streets of Seoul. Traditional lanterns come in all shapes and colors: lotus lanterns, fruit lanterns, turtle lanterns, fish lanterns, drum lanterns, phoenix lanterns and even dragon lanterns designed to breathe real fire from their throats. The variety of lanterns continues to increase every year.”

I was so thrilled to be able to experience the ‘lighting of the lanterns’ on the 21st, Buddha’s birthday. I arrived at the Lotus Festival around 7pm. There were hundreds of Koreans and foreigners overlooking the main stage under thousands of lanterns. The sight was surreal! It began with Monks hitting gongs with an intense rhythm, Koreans stood watching and praying. After one of the main monks was done with the gong a group of them single filed down to the main stage. On stage there were multiple women bowing in authentic Korean dress as well as multiple monks bowing as well. I also noticed 4 little boys about 7years old dressed in monk attire. One of the monks went up to the microphone and began chanting prayers. Even though it was in Korean I didn’t need to understand the words, the feeling of spirituality came over my body. I was in a totally different world, emerged into such an interesting culture, I instantly felt so fortunate to be able to witness such a neat event! After about an hour of prayers, violinists, and chants there was a countdown, (like new years!) and then the lanterns lit up! It was spectacular! The colors were so enchanting!