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The blog site is finally back online. It's been unavailable for over a week, possibly due to site construction. I thought it was just my laptop, but having done a google search it appears that the site has jumped into the top 10 for searches... all different blog entries.... finding me has never been easier(!) kinda scary actually.
Woke up this morning to my landlady and a gaswoman in my kitchen! Seriously, ""Mr Philip, Mr Philip." Whaaaaat? I opened my door in my pyjamas.... ok i don't actually wear pyjamas but you know the old joke.. luckily i was wearing something... just. Multiple migraine. The worst wake up call since the boss banged on my door early one Saturday for a speech contest.
Anyway, 10/52. One fifth of my year completed (allowing for 2 weeks holiday). I've come down with another cold and a bit of stinker it is, too. The chances of a day off are 0%, however, so I just have to grin and bear it. It developed on Saturday, when I went out, with Monica and husband 'Jimmy' for a day trip to Daegu (Taegu) and Gyeongju (Kyoungju) in the neighbouring province of Gyeongsangbuk-do. A sight-seeing trip, no hiking this time. A visit to Daegu's Herbal Medicine Market was disappointing, as there seemed to be no-one about... we picked the wrong day for the yangnyeong sijang (wholesale market) and there was no guide to show us around. So, I never picked up my crushed reindeer horn or lizard's tails ... plenty of insam (ginseng), however... and i could do with some to give me energy.
Lunch at a Ssambap, where you have plenty of lettuce wrap and (count 'ém) 28 different side dishes. Visited a Gyeongju bakery for dessert.
Then onto the Tomb of King Muyeoul, before spending time in Tumuli Park and Wolseong Park, both in central Gyeongju. The former park has 23 tombs of Shilla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they look like grassy hillocks, much more subtle than the Egyptian pyramids - but they effectively serve the same purpose. One of them, Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb), is opened up and a cross section inside shows you what the tomb is like.
At Wolseong Park, the Far East's oldest observatory, Cheomseongdae (b. 632 AD) see main photo) consists of 12 base stones (representing the months of the year), 30 layers (days of the month) and 366 stones in all (supposedly, days of the year).
Finally, to the impressive Gyeongju National Museum - probably the best history museum in Korea. An amazing collection of bronze age artifacts and stuffed animals. It also included the original Shilla King headgear - a golden crown mounted in a glass cabinet (see photos). Outside, the Emille Bell, a beautiful piece.. which can be heard over a 3km radius when struck only lightly with the fist (some of this blog has been nicked from Lonely Planet!)
Check out the photos, anyway. If you are bored by them, then go out and so something less interesting instead.
In other news, Mum has just returned from another inspiring and emotional trip to Kenya, Norwich have won 4 out of the last 5 matches and Kirsty has vowed never to go clubbing again. Also good to know that Dad has found good like-minded company in Richard and Joan Howlett (ex-Jimmys nightshelter in Cambridge and now Wells residents).
Last week in teaching - one fantastic 'shop'-based lesson, everything else average, and some confusion at the banality of what i am 'teaching'... 'fantasy class' anyone? I'll just close my eyes til it's over...
Next week - a day off because of the elections (wed) and talent market day (fri).
Now where's Kelly's fish food medicine??
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