One the places I like to visit when I have some free time is Insadong. It's a touristy spot, yes, but it's also home to many small art galleries and restaurants that serve 한식/Hanshik/Korean food. It's fun to go with friends (especially those visiting from abroad) but it's also fun when you're alone, since there's so much to do, see and eat. I like taking pictures, so I usually carry around my dica (digital camera).
Here are some pictures I took on two trips to Insadong during the summer:

i have a thing for taking pictures of alleyways
떡/ddeok/rice cakes
one of the many shops that sell various "Korean" products
핸드폰 걸이/ handphone geori/ cell phone accessories. I've bought butterfly ones for all of my girl friends.
삼겹살/samgyeopsal/pork belly & 대나무통밥/ daenamu-tongbab/rice cooked in bamboo cups.
the bamboo rice is so delish. they put rice, a jujube, a chestnut, some nuts and some gingko berries in a bamboo cup and then steam it.

many restaurants deliver food no matter where you are. it's common to see street vendors eating food delivered by someone [in this case an 아줌마/ajumma/(older) woman] from a nearby restaurant. then the trays, dishes and utensils are picked up by the delivery person and returned to the restaurant. good for the environment, tough on the ajumma.
Hwang Jini on a card
tea cups and pots
my only fans. haha
raspberries and mulberries
these masks kind of scare me.
one of the many kiosks that line the main strip of insadong. you might be able to haggle well, but in my experience, most of the jewelry sold in insadong is overpriced.
pigs really do fly. wait, does that mean hell has frozen over? i like that some of the pigs are wearing undies :)
한지/hanji/korean paper. you can use hanji as wall-paper and for various arts and crafts (the window a few pix up is covered in hanji). i like to use it as wrapping paper.
호떡/hoddeok/fried dough stuffed with sugar and cinnamon, and sometimes pine nuts. this hoddeok stand is really popular and there's usually a long line of people waiting for this not-for-those-on-a-diet treat. warning: the cinnamon/sugar liquid center is often ridiculously hot. i've burned my tongue on several occassions because i usually want to devour the whole thing as quickly as possible.
some more ddeok. this is totally froufrou ddeok, but it is delicious. i like simple ddeok without all of the nuts and berries. my favorite is 무지게 떡/moojige ddeok/rainbow ddeok, which you can see on the far right. it is subtly sweet and maybe a bit boring to some, but i like vanilla ice cream... so there you go.
novelty pens. not very traditional, but very korean and very cute.
무궁화/moogoonghwa/rose of sharon a.k.a. hibiscus: the national flower of korea.
7 comments:
Insadong?Is that in Seoul, Sara? Those photos are beautiful, thank you so very much for posting them!! Hanji, (the Korean paper) is that a rice paper?
Thanks very much!
Vic in Arrowbear, soon to be Long Beach, CA
your "Seoul Survivor"
Hi Vic!
Yes, Insadong is in Seoul (it's in Jong-ro, near Gwanghwamun). You should go there next time you're in Seoul.
Hanji is made out of paper mulberry/닥나무. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Mulberry
I learned some stuff about the paper mulberry while looking for the answer, so thanks! hehe
I'll post some new pix up soon
Hi Sarah;
Going out alone has its own advantages. Taking time and taking photos.
Photographs (even if it's electronified! ;) ) are always stunning. The moment recorded for ever, saved for ever, they say what words can't ...
I like all photos people at work & shops, delicious cakes and the cute Hwang Jini :). But compositiong of some photos were notiecable to me. "Tea Cups and Pots", "Fans", "Scaring Masks" & "한지" are all great.
But I was touched by one photo; The Narrow Alley. I like the perspective and its composition. The man at the end of the alley kind of means life, time's passing & it's kind of sad to me. It's as if it could be anywhere, in any other country. It's great, Well Done!
I feel it can be a praised photo in a photo competition. Think about it.
Have A Nice Day
hmyn
Wow! Thanks, Homayoon! :)
I love photography but have never had the chance to take a class. Your compliment is amazing and I really appreciate it! I'm glad you enjoy my photos.
I'm happy to share them with you all
Hello! Thanks a lot of interesting photos. Do Koreans often eat rice cake? How do you useally eat it?
Hi Jun!
Thanks for writing.
Yeah, Korean's love rice cake. Rice cake is even being sold in certain coffee joints, too. People eat it with tea and especially during holidays. It's also a great snack.
I just bought some from a market the other day. I ate it for breakfast...mostly because I didn't have time to make a real meal :) It IS rice, though hehe
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