A Non-Industrial Field Trip

Last week was my school's birthday (Happy 13th birthday Busan International Highschool), which meant a school holiday for all.  Yay!  One of my co-workers graciously offered to take myself and another English teacher and her husband, to Gyeongju which is a little further north than our last expedition in Ulsan.  This time we did not tour an industrial facility, but instead were treated to old temples, tombs, lanterns and flowers.  

The sights began before we arrived with live music at the gas station/rest stop.

Too bad John wasn't here to snap a photo with me in the "Photo zone", again at the rest stop.

Bulguksa Temple ornamentation.

Me awkwardly posing in front of a gong.

While the traditional cherry blossoms had already come and gone, this type of cherry blossom was in full swing.

Lunch was delicious!  We ordered tofu soup and in traditional Korean style it came with about 10 side dishes.  The black pot in front of me is what I actually ordered.  Everything else is considered a side dish.

Buddha's Birthday (another holiday) is coming up so there were lanterns up in anticipation.  I particularly liked the shadows on the ground.

While there we took the time to decorate a roof tile.  One of the temples is having it's roof replaced and what an excellent way to pay for it by having people write on the tiles before they are used.

I signed John's name even though he wasn't there.

Lanterns!

Me pretending I'm about to ring the giant gong.

These mounds are excavated tombs.

These flowers are planted for the express purpose of people taking photos in a field of flowers.

I think this is one of my favorite poses I've learned in Korea thus far.  The full body heart.  John tells me he gets a lot of this at school followed by, "Teacher!  I love you!"