Insadong and Chungdong Theater
Today after an enlightning seminar on the Korean War, the group toured Insandong, an area of Seoul that has retained an atmosphere of the past. These are narrow alleyways that are packed with art galleries, traditional tea shops and small restaurants. There are also many craft shops that sell fans, handmade paper boxes, masks, laquer ware, pottery and antiques. We had a wonderful lunch at 
Sanchon Restaurant, a unique Korean restaurant that specializes in temple food. We ate Korean style, which is on cushions on the floor with are shoes off. Afterwards, we had time to ourselves to journey around Insadong. I made my way to Jogysea, the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul and the headquarters of the Jogye sect of Buddhism. I took my shoes off and entered the temple to pray with the many people chanting along with the monk while facing three large golden Buddhas. I found a moment of peace amid the hustle and bustle of fast paced Seoul. 
Then it was off to Ohucheumn Restaurant, Korea's National Restaurant, for a delicious meal of dolsot bibimbap, which is bibimbop cooked and served in a pot on our table. We watched our waitress as she cut the meat in the bowl with scissors (not a knife). Next we were off to Chongdong Theater where the group experienced Korean drums and traditional Korean dress first hand and then we enjoyed a traditional Korean Art performance that featured traditional Korean drum dancing called samulnori, , traditional Korean music called guzak, featuring 
various stringed instruments, chimes, gongs, horms and flutes. Korean music is divided 
between the slow and sonorous court music (jeongak) of the aristocratic class and the fast and lively style of music and dance of the peasant farmer (salmunori) played by entertainers who went from village to village.
Sanchon Restaurant, a unique Korean restaurant that specializes in temple food. We ate Korean style, which is on cushions on the floor with are shoes off. Afterwards, we had time to ourselves to journey around Insadong. I made my way to Jogysea, the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul and the headquarters of the Jogye sect of Buddhism. I took my shoes off and entered the temple to pray with the many people chanting along with the monk while facing three large golden Buddhas. I found a moment of peace amid the hustle and bustle of fast paced Seoul. 
Then it was off to Ohucheumn Restaurant, Korea's National Restaurant, for a delicious meal of dolsot bibimbap, which is bibimbop cooked and served in a pot on our table. We watched our waitress as she cut the meat in the bowl with scissors (not a knife). Next we were off to Chongdong Theater where the group experienced Korean drums and traditional Korean dress first hand and then we enjoyed a traditional Korean Art performance that featured traditional Korean drum dancing called samulnori, , traditional Korean music called guzak, featuring 
various stringed instruments, chimes, gongs, horms and flutes. Korean music is divided 
between the slow and sonorous court music (jeongak) of the aristocratic class and the fast and lively style of music and dance of the peasant farmer (salmunori) played by entertainers who went from village to village. 
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