Dinner at Yun's place, Kwangju, Korean South
I reached Inchon (Seoul) airport early one morning. I went to the bus booking office at the airport and asked them for a ticket to Gyeongju. I picked up the ticket and fell asleep in the bus.As soon as I reached the city, I went to the tourist office and asked them about this one temple. The girl at the counter, Yun, laughed and said that I had come to the wrong city. I had come to Kwangju instead of Gyongju. She said Kwangju it self is not a bad place, she took out a map and pointed out some places to me. Then she helped me get a bus ticket to Gyongju. I had some of my Thailand postcards with me. I gave her one. She said I should drop by the next day and she would give me one gift. I said I will surely drop by.
I bumped into Yun again later that evening. I was buying a newspaper and she was heading home. She asked me about my plans for the evening. I replied that I had no plans but I would like to visit Chungjangro - the downtown area. Kwangju downtown is the place where all the fashion shops are and where the hip youngsters hang out. Yun said she would take me to that place. We talked about her city, Korean politics, student protests etc. Kwangju is famous for a student protest way back in May 1980...several students died in the protest. Many consider this event as the true bringer of democracy in South Korea. We walked past the Art street - the place the locals come to buy art supplies. Yun bought a "Korean mask" keychain for me. It still hangs from my bag. Later she invited me home for dinner. Yun's mother had made so many interesting dishes. We had a big pot of ramen and we kept eating it.
The next evening, I was leaving. Yun was there to see me off. I was telling her that I was so amazed - being a stranger was treated with so much hospitality. She commented that I had a friendly eyes. I just sat there smiling happy, at least someone in the world thinks that I am not a scam.
Most of the smaller motels have internet connection. Not surprising, South
Korea is the most wired nation.
Gwangju National Museum & Folk Museum.
Chungjangro - The fashion street. I was amazed
at the number of phone shops.
Dinner at Yun's place. I miss Yun and her mother.