The store pictured above is actually a Starbucks. It's written in Korean like (Suh-ta-buk-suh Cuh-ppi). It's located in a traditional district in Seoul called Insadong. In order to preserve the traditional nature of this district Starbucks had to agree to write the sign in the mother-tongue. Pretty unique, indeed.
I stumbled upon a neo-traditional concert in Deoksu temple. These kids were dressed up in great costumes doing some entertaining dances.
One of the gayageum players. These instruments are HUGE.
You have to have some pretty long arms to play this correctly. Short armers need not apply.
The percussion section.
Gayageum solo! These girls were shredding.
The pansori portion of the concert. It's similar to an opera in that the performer sings out a story. She got the whole audience participating in the song after teaching us a few lines. Very animated woman, pretty cool moves with the fan as well.
More gayageum. Kind of like a harp-guitar hybrid.
I didn't catch what this instrument was. Related to maybe a violin, it produced similar sounds.
Deoksu Palace is right in downtown Seoul, literally across the street from city hall. It's interesting to see the palace juxtaposed with sky scrapers.
Seokjojeon is a Western-style building built in a neoclassical style. It was built as part of the Great Han Empire's push to modernize.
The throne room inside of Junghwajeon Hall.
Sign hanging over the entrance to the throne room.
Some of the stone decor outside the main palace.
Stones outside in the courtyard.
Again, interesting to see the old and the new co-existing right beside each other.
This bear is enjoying molten fire honey! This was along the walkway up into the Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul.
Clouds? Teeth? I don't know...
"Oh hey there blue animals. Enjoying some tea on this hot summer day? Very good, carry on!"
His gas mask is connected to a small bottle of milk. Ya know, just in case N. Korea gets trigger happy.
i just want to break a chunk off that molten fire honey. yum
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