Palace Palooza

During orientation, we went to Changdeokgung Palace. We could have bought one ticket for the palace for 3,000 won or the super-amazing-multi-palace-travel pack for 10,000 won. Obviously, I chose the latter. Essentially it is one ticket for the five major palaces in Seoul that are valid for one month. Most of the group bought the multi-pack of tickets because we all agreed: Of course we want to go to all of them, and I mean a month is sooo long. We'll go to one a week.

For everyone who knows me, I always have these goals (optimistic? idealistic? I don't know how to classify them). Essentially though, I rarely follow through. We realized on September 17th that our tickets would expire on September 18th. Frantically we planned Palace Palooza (a one day event designed to use up our last four tickets)!Out of the four palaces left, we ended up going to two and realizing that people do not seem to care when the tickets expire.

The National Flower of Korea

Jongmyo Shrine

This is where the king sleeps. When I'm a queen I want better accommodations.

The spirits walk on the central path.

Do NOT walk there...EVER.

Spirit Chambers

Jumi is the scale figure for this massive plaza

Panorama of the spirit chamber building.

Walking paths

Second spirit chamber building

This sign is deceiving is this film festival to stop prostitution or to catch your attention:

STOP!

Prostitution Film Festival!

?

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Although we were told by multiple Koreans that this palace wasn't that special, it was amazing! It was our favorite palace that we visited!!! I think the people we got our information from were just trying to keep it for themselves.

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

This was more of a performance than an actual ceremony.

There was a guy in a black shirt and jeans yelling into a headset the directions for moving. Staged.

This made me feel better that all of the Korean people were walking through the ceremony taking pictures. I thought they were just being super rude.

Such beautiful scenery - check out the mountain in the back.

Evolution?

Pretty colors

Old and new

Proof I was there!

...with Brendi.

Back in the day, people lined up next to these pillars depending on their social status.

I love these guys!

The throne...much, much better than the shrine

White people in hanbok!

You can try on traditional Korean outfits and take pictures for free. Sadly, we showed up too late. No worries we will definitely be going back even if just to do this!

The tiles on the tops of all the walls were awesome.

The grounds of the palace as we walk to a different part. This place is huge.

We don't find out until we're here that this is the tomb area of the palace grounds.

Whats going on over there?

The Blue House

Korea's equivalent of the White House.

Brendi and Juma

I know there are a lot of these, but I just thought it was so pretty!

Uh oh! Why are all of the gates closing?

Are we locked in?!

Phew! No.