Feeling Good

I haven't posted in quite some time and although we have been busy there really hasn't been much to update on...until now.  

This past weekend Ange and I went to a city within our province called Gyeongju.  We wanted a little change of pace from the usual drinking scene.  Gyeongju is about 2 hours away from Sangju and along the western coast of the country, and honestly quite difficult to get to from Sangju.  However, it was well worth our trip!

Gyeongju is the Silla ancient capital of Korea.  It is a great place to really learn about the history of Korea and why it remains such a traditional country.  The tradition and culture of this country is something that has always been beyond amazing to me.  They are so proud of their history, where they have come from, and how far they have managed to come as a country.  Gyeongju is one city that managed to stay in the possession of South Korea for most of the Korean war.  However Gyeongju was very much a part of the war in 1950, and became the front line of battle more than once.  

Walking around the temple area

Walking up to the temple

Rock Piles

The Temple

Gyeongju is probably one of my favorite places in Korea, and not just for the history lesson (honestly I have never been much into history).  It is a beautiful city with so many different sites to see.  It is also very peaceful and relaxing.  When we got to Gyeongju wen jumped right on one of the cities buses and headed towards one of the famous temples in the city, Bulguk-sa Temple.  It did cost a little to get in but there was so much to see here.  It isn't just a temple to visit, there are also many other things to see and just the area that it is in is stunning.  The rock piles in the middle picture were in a little area and there were hundreds of these piles.  I believe the piles represent good luck, and I feel that I have read that it symbolizes a long life.  I'm not completely sure of this though, I have tried doing a little research and have read many different things on the meaning.  

Son and BoRan

Ange

On Sunday, which was the main reason we even decided to go to Gyeongju, we went with a friend of mine to an orphanage about 20 minutes outside of Gyeongju.  going to the orphanage did something to me that I honestly don't even know how to describe.  We walked in to a small room with about 15 little girls.  When we sat down, in a matter of seconds, we each had a child or 4 on our laps.  It was the most adorable thing to see these kids so happy and excited to see someone that they have never met before, there was not even a split second of hesitation from most of them.  We stayed at the orphanage for about 2 hours, gave them donuts, played with the kids for a while, talked to the staff, and fell in love with all 40 children that were there. 

SungSung

I fell in love with one little boy named Sung Sung.  Sung Sung is a 17 month old little boy, with both his older brother and older sister at the orphanage with him.  He was so funny the entire time we were there.  For about an hour and a half he stood back and just watched us.  That little boy can stare!  He would look into your eyes and not blink for a good 10 minutes.  He never came up to anyone, never cried, didn't really play with the other kids too much.  At the very end of the day I decided to try to make my move and see if I could not make him cry.  I sat and talked to him and we played with a little block for a few minutes before I put my arms out to see if he would come to me.  He looked up at me, looked at my arms, then reached his little arms up to me so that I could hold him.  We laid his little head on my shoulder and we walked around the play room for a little while.  Before I left I put him down, he blew me a kiss, and came running to me with open arms to give me a big hug.  He is such a sweet little boy, and I wish there was more that I could do for him.  But it's because of him that I have decided to make the 2 and a half hour ride, and 3 different buses again this Sunday!  I can't wait to see him again!  Son has gone for 3 weeks now, and the little girl he has fallen love with has fallen just as hard for him.  Seeing her face light up when she sees him is what makes us all keep coming back.  Those little ones are well worth the long journey for just 2 short/fast hours!