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Sunday, October 9, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Gwangju & Damyang, South Korea - 26-27 July 2005
After two busy days in Seoul, I boarded a train and headed south to Gwangju. My dear friend Regina, another college mate, graciously welcomed me and, just like Mi-jin in Seoul, took time off to be my guide. From Gwangju, we ventured north into nearby Damyang County in South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do), a serene region known for its temples, traditional gardens, bamboo forests, and rural charm. In just one whirlwind day, we managed to experience it all:
- Wonhyosa, a tranquil Buddhist temple nestled in the hills
- Damyang Soswaewon, a serene Joseon Dynasty-style garden
- A delicious lunch of heukdubu bossam (black tofu, boiled pork, and parboiled cabbage) at Dalmaji Heukdubu Sarang
- The peaceful Sigyeongjeong Pavilion
- Scenic rice fields and a stroll through a local market
- The Korea Bamboo Museum where we tried our hands at making our own bamboo coaster
- A walk through the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest - cool, quiet, and green
- A hearty dinner of tteok-galbi (short rib patties) at Sinsikdang, a historic restaurant in Damyang said to be the oldest in Korea still serving this dish
- A sweet stop in downtown Gwangju for bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert)
- And finally, a relaxing wind-down at a local jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse) in Gwangju
It was a day full of warmth, generosity, and genuine connection - the kind of memory that lingers long after the itinerary fades.
While the culinary delights certainly continued, what touched me most was the easy grace of the people and the unhurried pace of life in Damyang County.
I'm so grateful for the hospitality of both Mi-jin and Regina - thank you for making my journey in South Korea so memorable.
Above: Wonhyosa Buddhist Temple
Above: At Damyang Soswaewon
Above: Heukdubu bossam at Dalmaji Heukdubu Sarang
Above: Sigyeongjeong Pavilion
Above: Rice fields in Damyang County
Above: A local market in Damyang County
Above right: A seal maker at work
Above: Regina wanted to gift me something personal and lasting - my very own name seal, custom-carved in the traditional Korean way
Above: At the Korea Bamboo Museum
Above: At the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
Above left: Women preparing tteok-galbi
Above right: Tteok-galbi ~ tender, smoky short rib patties grilled to perfection. Hands down, the tastiest meat I’ve had to date.
Above right: Bingsu in downtown Gwangju ~ the perfect way to cool off after a packed day
Above: Don't they look like Hush Puppies?
Above left: Simple refreshments inside a jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse). Guests can stay as long as they like, even overnight, making it an affordable alternative to hotels for those seeking rest and relaxation.
Above right: Regina with her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece
Above: In South Korea, attendants pump gas for you. It was interesting to see the fuel hoses hanging from above - a space-saving setup I hadn’t seen before.
Above: Regina drove me to the station and saw me off as I boarded the train back to Seoul ~ a final gesture of kindness at the end of an unforgettable trip
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