Geonju town

Geonju is quite a massive a modern town despite the guide books attempts to tell you about its traditions
It's quite strange being somewhere this size having been in Geochang for so long. This is simply a city comparable in size to any of the british ones bar London.
it still manages to hold some traditional elements even in the town centre, there is even a traditional meeting place in the middle of the hustle and bussle
it occurs to me that the photos dont really show the hand painted buildings in all their beauty but there all differently decorated with this kind of style. It depends upon which king made them.
Korea's history is evident everywhere.

Life museum at Geonju

This is the life museum at Geonju. The buildings in the background are concert halls where you can here traditional and modern Korean music
I saw a Korean wedding while I was there. It was actually a play showing how they used to be so I wasn't gate crashing a real party!
There are many games and things to play. This one is where children throw arrows into a bucket. There is also a fun see-saw game where you can't touch a see saw if it touches the ground
Despite teh museum showing traditional activities it is very modern like the water effect behind me.
Teaching children how to drink tea properly
A marching band before the wedding
The view of Geonju

These huts are dedicated to war heroes of Geonju and have memorial tables inside.
The writing is still in Chinese as Hanguel wasn't invented til the 15th C.

Around Geonju

These photos are from around Geonju. There are many statues for kings
noblemen, the creators of hanguel (korean alphabet)
the original transcripts for the Joseon dynasty
and leftovers from years of war

Traditional Geonju

In Geonju you can pretty see how koreans used to live and make things. This room is made entirely from paper or Hamji which has a Chinese background.
These pots would have been used to keep all manner of things. Some that are really disgusting.
There is a ceramics centre that I didnt go in but liked the window display and the reflection of me!!!
This is a place describing how to make a traditional Korean rice wine


There were also many interesting buildings (this is also the wine fermenting area where you can make your own samples in a bid to keep home made wine popular

Around Hanok Village (Geonju)

These photo's are a few weeks old now but my visit to Hanok village was quite interesting. Hanok is a traditional Korean house and it is very much like a living museum at the village
In these pictures is a tribute to the Joseon kings of Korea and what they used in their lifestyles.
Here children are being shown how to drink tea traditionally (apart from the big modern kettle)

Either my Korean is getting better or that sign has English on it.
The walls and buildings may have been restored but I am assured this is what it always looked like.

Geochang parade

So its a Sunday morning and I hear a thudding coming through my walls. I knew a frestival was about to happen but I never expected this.
I grabbed a few shots from my balcony as I was impressed at the sheer size of the parade passing by underneath me.
Pretty much everyone was out and the band seemed to like playing phantom of the opera.
There were drummers and floats and a whole manner of things that I followed to the sea front.

Daytime geochang festival (part one)

So having followed the parade around town it finishes by the river and I get to take a few shots of what is happening during the day time. These lanterns light up the bridges at night and the flowers in Geochang seem to be enjoying the weather.
There are market stalls everywhere selling prett much everything. Just because the river front is full it doesnt mean the closed roads cant be used.
There are two stages, this one catches a quick demonstration.
The advertising balloons fly high for pretty much the whole four days. The tents seemed to be setup overnight as I hadn't nothiced them the previous day.

These people aren't just resting but making material goods to be sold on.
Traditional pottery being sold at 1000 won. This is about 60p.
Another handcraft stall. This time wooden traditional goods are being sold.
This picture is quite lame but the dance of the flag bearers was quite impressive. In about 2 hours this car park is going to be crowded with people.
There are fun and games for the kids
and lots to eat
and buy
This pig is quite an advert! He probably lasted a long time.