8th Evening: Skimming Proximities

I went out in the afternoon, around 3pm I think. As I made my way to the bus stop, I passed by an Adventist building (a publishing house) with the exterior mostly made out/covered with bricks. I am still unsure of Korean architectural history, but I always assume that these things are mostly influenced by their 'occidental refurbishing': Why do I think of England or France when I encounter bakeshops and tea houses in this area of Seoul?

I am now used to seeing vegetables and fruits sellers along the alleyways and main pathways; for the 7 kilometer-stretch, I saw the same menu of produce: persimmon, little tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, roots and ginsengs. Some people smell of fresh kimchi with soju: I usually encounter them getting out of little doors from compact grill restaurants on the ground floor or basement floor of big buildings. The smokey beef or pork or chicken clung to the (mostly) geriatrics' polyfiber attire. For a Sunday, it was quite still quaint and peculiar to see some Koreans wear full suits since it is mostly a non-working day in the district.

I was able to get to Hyehwa by bus, assuming that the bus fare would be cheaper than the subway. But I eventually found out that the public transportation system has been integrated ever since. Nevertheless, the view from the bus is much better from the subway: Dongdaemun and Jongno districts had lots of steep roads but the concrete, buildings and the people were able to build the metropolitan ground and still maintain the contours of the land. (Perhaps this would be the same with the whole Seoul area, but I still have not ventured to other districts.)

I have to remember: At Hyehwa, there are already different private art galleries, several city/national museums and several palaces which I need to see before I leave. Also, I was able to see the bags which a friend requests to buy at a sale price of 9,000KRW. I have to check at Insadong if it's the same price.

The grocery I had for this day were Filipino processed meat and condiments (finally!) and three kilos of potatoes. It's a good thing I like to cook.

Logging this link here: http://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/exhibitions/exhibitionsDetail.do?exhId=201504030000239&menuId=1010000000

Week 1: Blur

Three exhibit openings:

"Architopia" at the Gwacheon branch: Korean architectural history with participation of contemporary artists in narrating and historicizing (photographers, new media artists, installation artists).

The Second Young Architect's Program (YAP) in MMCA Korea, with MoMA New York featuring SoA (Society of Architects duo): It was raining that evening, the exhibition was at the exterior enclave of the Seoul branch. People attended the "Silent Party."

"Please Checkout My Skilltree" exhibit by MMCA Changdong's Korean residents for 2015. Met some of the international residents for Changdong and Goyang sites.

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I spent more than $200 just trying to settle down in this dormitory.

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I have to learn this as soon as possible... I have problems with my vowels...