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Seoul - April and October 2002 |
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One of my best friends was living in Seoul and I went to go visit him. I got food poisoning on both trips and really didn't do or see too much. |
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The Korean language, hangul, was created in 1446 by King Sejong The Great. The King had a great interest in phonetics, but also realized that a proper alphabet-based language would lead to higher literacy, versus the Chinese-inspired characters that were previously used (and difficult for commoners to master). |
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This is Junghwamun Gate. It is part of Deoksu Palace, which is sits in the middle of downtown Seoul. It's pretty much the Buckingham Palace of Korea. Just past this large entry gate is Junghwajeon Hall (the throne room and audience hall). |
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Posing with the Captain of the Guards at Taehanmun Gate. |
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This is the Changing of the Royal Guards ceremony at Taehanmun Gate, the entrance to Deoksu. |
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These kids were not really interested in the Changing of the Guards ceremony. |
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This is a bronze statue of King Sejong The Great on the grounds at Deoksu Palace. |
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Digging deep for strength after spending two days on the couch with a bad stomach bug. This is one of my two best friends and we're having the el cheapo beer at J.J. Mahoney's in the Grand Hyatt--an infamous pick-up joint. |
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A view from the Hyatt Hotel which sits high above the old part of Seoul. Just across the river is the newly developed area of Gangnam-gu. |
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