K is for (Republic of) Korea

Lilac time in Korea, 2015

Those of us who have been blogging for awhile have learned that we never know which posts will be the most popular. This post in April, 2015 was one of the most popular posts I've written. The title was "Lilac Pink and Cotton Candy,"and it was a discussion of two of my favorite finds while I was in Seoul, the capital of Korea. The first discovery was that mid-April in Seoul was lilac time and the lilac bushes were everywhere and as beautiful as any I'd seen. 

These beauties were next to a major office building in downtown Seoul, and their aroma matched their lushness. Cherry blossom time in Japan (where I visited before going on to Seoul) is legendary. I learned that lilac time in Korea is equally extraordinary. 

My other discovery was Milkcow, which is perhaps the finest soft serve ice cream I've ever had.  

This looks like the Snow Drop, adorned with cotton candy and jelly beans. Almost directly after I came home from Japan and Korea I started eating low-carb. I think the Snow Drop may have put me over the edge. I did, however, get a craving for Milkcow when I looked at this picture and was pleased to see that my favorite soft ice cream has arrived in North America. Unfortunately the only location is Toronto, which doesn't -- perhaps luckily -- permit home delivery. 

But my trip to Seoul wasn't just lilacs and cotton candy. I enjoyed getting to know Seoul and seeing major attractions. I knew very little about Korea before I arrived and I came away with a greater understanding of the history of Korea and the political and geographic challenges the Republic of Korea faces. One of my favorite memories was seeing the Changing of the Guards at Deoksugung Palace. This ceremony dates back hundreds of years and was reinstated in 1966. Though there is no longer a king, this ceremony is the same ceremony that the Royal Guards performed in centuries past. 

This school group practiced their English with me. 

Buttercup and one of the Royal Guards

It's been fun re-visiting Korea as part of our Around the World from A to Z Challenge. Tomorrow we leave Asia and spend two days in South America. I hope you'll join the journey.

I hope everyone had a happy Easter. Even though we're not celebrating holidays as we're accustomed to I am so glad for Passover and Easter. I've enjoyed the holiday cards, Zoom Seders and services. Definitely an upbeat moment in this time in our lives.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  Much love and wash your hands!

Monkey Monday Goes Intercontinental

National Folk Museum of Korea

 

 

Not unlike the cherry blossoms and lilacs the season of writing about my trip to Japan and Korea is nearing an end. Though it's difficult to fathom, I have been back in New York for almost a month and life has picked up the pace. Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and BookExpo America is right behind. There's a graduation trip to Connecticut just a month away and book reviews and a movie review almost ready for posting. I've got a giveaway for later this week -- please stop by -- and that's all just in the next month. 

 

There were two sights in Japan and Korea that I photographed with specific blogging thoughts. One set of photos I will share on Wedding Wednesday and the other was taken with Monkey Monday in mind. Mondays have been slipping by and I present to you our first Intercontinental Monkey Monday.

 

 This handsome gentleman was part of a display of animals representing different years. and he, of course, represents the year of the monkey.  The sculptures were in the outdoor area of the National Folk Museum of Korea. 

 

 

While we're in Seoul I want to add a few pictures of the changing of the Royal Guard. This ceremony takes places in downtown Seoul three times a day. It goes back to the period when Korea had a royal family and the guards were responsible for guarding the capital city and the royal palace.

 



 There were many groups of Korean school children. After the ceremony they were permitted -- actually it looked that they were encouraged -- to meet those who had participated in the ceremony. 

 

Yes, there's a Dunkin Donuts in the background. There are many, many American chain restaurants in Seoul.

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed our quick trip to South Korea. Wednesday we return to Asia to attend a wedding in Japan. Of course, you are all invited.

 

As always, thanks for visiting and take good care.