Hi Seoul Festival & History Museum

When I visited my travel agent, I discovered this fun statue by Jonathon Borofsky titled "Hammering Man." Yes, the hammer does move up and down.

I thought I should have my picture taken sitting on his foot so stopped a woman on her own passing by. She was an American who teaches at the nearby British Institute. I discovered she knows Rosie, a fellow drum student, who also works there. Coincidences abound. . . .


Both Monday and Tuesday I spent time at the Hi Seoul Festival in City Hall Plaza. Tuesday it was a madhouse because May 5 is Children's Day, a holiday and many kids and their parents were enjoying the free activities. Those included mask making as free kits were provided and families sat around decorating their masks.

This boy ended up wearing not only the mask he made but the two made by his parents -- all at the same time. A good time was had by all.There was an exhibit on the new city hall, presently under construction, which may be finished in a couple of years. There was an interesting model and an even more interesting digital photo opportunity with visitors pictured in front of the new, and current, buildings. Apparently the old city hall building will become a library.

The Seoul tourist people are trying to promote a new mascot so Haechi was at the Festival available for photo opportunities.












As a part of the Festival there are activities going on at all the palaces in the city. At Deoksugung there were re-enactments of the last royal family -- at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century.






Today I followed the visit to the Festival with meeting Young Il for lunch and a visit to Seoul Museum of History. At lunch we had a Korean rice-based alcoholic drink, dong-dong ju (동동주), which is served in a bowl. When it arrived at the table, I thought it was soup!



















The Seoul Museum was quite interesting. Outside there was a fountain which uses a map of Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty as its base. And provides great fun for kids who generally end up sopping wet.And everywhere I continue to enjoy the beautiful flowers.