Seokguram Grotto

A big stop for us in Gyeongju was Seokguram Grotto (for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seokguram). It was an interesting little place and I think it would have been a lot cooler had we been able to actually go inside the Grotto itself. For those of you who are curious, a grotto is defined as small, indoor cave, at least for this experience. If you do get the chance, I would recommend taking the trip out. It's nothing special, but it is unique if that makes any sense. There is a bus that runs but it only comes every hour and it is very windy. If you have the time, I would recommend hiking from Bulguksa. We arrived a little later on Thursday so we were not able to hike. Here are a few more pictures, enjoy.

(View as we arrived and were getting off the bus - a quaint little mountain adventure)

(As soon as we stepped off the bus, this is what we saw. Notice the bell in the structure, it is important later...)

(I am not exactly sure what the old ladies were selling but that must make enough)

(A view of the valley below)

(A bell you could ring)

(Spenser ringing the bell)

(Spenser after he rang the bell)

(Water stop - I do enjoy how Korea makes it a habit to provide water. I have grown found of the communal drinking facilities.)

(The building on the left is the actual grotto. You can kind of see the mound of dirt above the roof. Inside sits a Buddha with a few of his guardian buddies. Unfortunately, we were unable to take pictures inside - weak sauce.)


(Inside view of the grotto from someone else's camera)


(Just to give you an idea of how sweet it is inside. But, like I said, we couldn't go inside...)


(Another view of the awesomeness which we were unable to see first hand)

Bulguksa Temple - First Stop in Gyeongju

We recently had a 4 day weekend - long semester so they gave us a "semester break" at Avalon which was wonderful. For 3 of the days, Katrina, myself, and 3 other friends went down to Gyeongju. I've never been but heard great things - especially from the historical side of the province. It was home to one of the previous Korean dynasties and has quite a bit of history. I learned quite a bit on the trip and got some good shots. Our first stop after checking into our amazing pension was Bulguksa Temple. (For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulguksa)

(Welcome to Bulguksa Temple, according to some, the 'oldest temple in Korea')

(It was a very serene and peaceful corner of the world)

(The actual temple itself - quite large)

(Katrina and I on the same bridge in the beautiful landscape photo above)

(This is strictly a new camera shot - wanted to try a different lens. I like it. It's cute.)


(Some Buddhist guardians along with their protector)


(Rockin' the dragon in one hand)

(Not sure why but I just loved the way this little shop looked)

(Sunset)

(This one particular plot/temple was reserved as the 'stone stacking' area. It's difficult to see but there were stones stacked upon each other everywhere.)

(Stones stacked on the roof, on the door, on a tree...)

(Along the wall, on tiles, on the ground... everywhere...)

(The lighting was interesting so I snapped a few photos)


(Just an idea of how far in the mountains you are)

(A farewell to Bulguksa Temple)

End of the Winter Semester

Another semester down and two to go. Yes, that's right, two more semesters left in Korea then who knows what's going to happen next. That is of course, if my FBI Background Check arrives in time. I sent it a month ago so I shouldn't have any problems. Then again, you just never know. It was a good semester, a little quiet, which is good and bad, but overall, things went well. Here are a few photos of the students and of our end of semester staff dinner, this time at Outback.

(Smarty pants - Heidi and Eunsuh - highest level in Elementary School)

(Eunsuh lived in Canada for over a year so her English is pretty solid - and she's smart!)

(GA kids - second highest level. We have Shawn, Nick, myself, Christina, Ann, Alice, and Rina)

(Nick during debate)

(Alice preparing to speak about the cons of nuclear weapons.)

(JI - Big Boy, Marky Mark, Tony Moly, Lisa, Alexander, Kel, Jennifer, Jason, Liz, Jammy, LG, Eileen, Alice, and Lisa2)

(Eileen hard at work)

(Big Boy blocking the shot by holding up his newspaper)

(Busy with their workbooks)

(Tuesday and Thursday JI - Ferris, Loy, Tommy2, Tommy1, Daisy, Julie, Tina, Nick, Hanny, Sally, Alice, Sally2, Izabel, and Adella)

(One of my all time favorite students - smart, loved to participate, and put a lot of effort into her homework.)

(Tina was another favorite student, mainly because she was just so darn cute)

(Tina trying to stick her tongue out at me)

(Hanny and Sally)

(Tommy1 has a question)

(Last class Tuesday and Thursday with LG, Jinie, James, Richard, John, Jake, Mario, David, and Clarence)

(LG and Jinie not wanting their pictures taken)

(Clarence doing some Writing Book work, working on his essay)

(We finished the semester at Outback to celebrate the long and grinding winter semester. I did enjoy my steak. Here we have Spenser and across the table, Chelice, Drew, and Katrina.)

(Group shot)

(From the other end of the table)

(Lindsay, Justin, and Harry. Sadly, this was Justin's last semester at Avalon.)