HarpingByAPixie
For my Day-36, I feature one of the tourist attractions in South Korea – the Gamcheon Culture Village. This has been used as filming location of some Korean shows; so, if you are a K-drama fan then, you may be familiar with it. I am not. I read it is dubbed as Santorini and Machu Picchu of South Korea; but, when I first laid my eyes on this place, the first thing that came to my mind was a scene by Paul Walker in “Fast and Furious” movie.
Gamcheon is formerly a slum area and was home to many refugees who were likewise believers of a religion called Taegeukdo. However, about a decade ago, the government poured money to transform the village into arts and culture hub. That effort by the government turned Gamcheon into what it is today.
Colorful houses and business establishments are built in staircase style that reminded me of Rice Terraces in Mountain Province except that instead of rice the terraces here are planted with structures. I will be writing a post (when I get free from business paperwork) about South Korea hence, I will save the rest of the story for the later.
In the meantime, if you want to join, click here for information.
Beautiful pictures. The place must be unique.
Pixies get to go to all the cool places
Perks of singlehood, Mr. Valkyrie. If I am married, I will not have the money to take myself to cool places. So, between a husband and a cool place, I always go with my heart ???. Men who have money have no time. Men who have time have no money. Why wait for men? Just take my goddamn self and enjoy ?. And see, artists are headstrong. Tell them one thing and they do the opposite ?
good for you, don’t depend on anyone else
Not depending on anyone is something I learned early in life. I have trouble asking or accepting help. Plus, yes, I believe that a woman should have her own source of income. Some husbands use the financial dependency issue to manipulate the wife. Some wives turn into a paranoid nagger when they have no life of their own too. ?
Truly, you are the wisest of pixies
Maybe I am. But maybe, ignorance is bliss, too ?. You did not answer my question about the cube thing. And my wise mind has a need to remember it because I am a cerewet ???
cube thing? please expand…
Amazing photos,Harping!!!
Thank you for dropping by ?
K-Drama? You know it is my wife and daughter’s favorite. But specially about this Gamcheon Culture Village, it looks like I’ve read it, is this a town where almost every house has something like graffiti on its walls?
Yep. Exactly. A model project showcasing that political will can go a long way. It is fun place to visit as every house is different from the other. But it is an uphill climb and it was very chilly when we went there so, we were not able to scour the whole hilltop.
I’m thinking hard, why are uphill and cold temperatures stopping you while food reserves are available very much?
With temp freezing my fingers? I was wearing 5 layers of clothing and still the cold is biting. I am fine with uphill climb at cool temp — not fridge-cold temp hahaha — the alleys are small also so you have to do it in slow manner because people going in opposite direction use the same stairs uphill
Owh… it’s also very challenging, but I would definitely choose to sleep all day!
That — or eat ??? I have to find a coffee vendo machine to stay warm. Still it was a fun place to go to. We ate in one resto then when my sister complimented the owner for the taste of food, we got free coffee ???
Is it possible if you praise every Korean you meet, you can get a totally free vacation?
Hahaha that is not a nice assumption. I have to say in every country I go to, I meet kindness. In Jakarta, we went to that big gem’s center where the sellers are largely muslims and there was this guy who offered me a bottle of water and a chair even when I certainly look an outsider. And if you read my story about honesty, a Javanese returned my handbag with my money, phone, tablet, passport – my whole life – still intact
How is that not a good assumption if again I hear you say all your luck? About Javanese, I’m a Javanese.
Not a good assumption to think that a free vacay is possible hahaha I am not used to being provided and I have trouble accepting gifts that cost much. As to Javanese, well, the reason I mentioned that was because there was this guy there — an ordinary street guy who looks like some bully but is not (I was raised in a family where befriending bums is tolerated and encouraged for as long as you do not make the bum your boyfriend or husband haha so yes, it is easy for us to talk to people who look like one) — who told us that if ever there is any problem, we should call him and he will take care of the problem because in Bali he said people are mostly safe where locals (Javanese people) are concerned. He, himself, is a Javanese.
Those of us who have experienced a hard life generally have the same feelings about trouble in accepting gifts, even just to receive praise! Because we are introspective, well at least you. The Balinese are generally unpretentious and kind-hearted, most of the troublemakers or causes of trouble are immigrants, including the Javanese.
As to gifts: because I am more used to providing to other people so I have trouble when it is me being provided for. Guys complain that about me. That, the sarcasm, the stubborn head, the merciless teasing —- OMG! Lotsa flaws there except I love those flaws hahahaha
As to praise: my reaction is always to laugh out loud like “Are you kidding me? Maybe you have yet to eat or have fever or just plainly blind.”
Yeah, guess that’s what I mean!
Love the WELCOME photo so quirky..and can’t wait for Take 2…I love stories like this when something is turned around 🙂
True. Gamcheon is an exemplary model illustrating political will at its best — many houses there are quirky but that means climbing up and down several stairs uphill hahaha
It looks like an amazing place; I loved the photos!
It is an amazing place as long as you like uphill climb lol
The view is worth it! 🙂
Of course. And the houses there are really artsy-fartsy and all quirky.
Amazing photos. I am sure we will be seeing many more photos on the news from South Korea when the Olympics start!
Oh yes, they will be hosting the Olympics and we observed photo shoots for that conducted in different places in South Korea
Great photos. I look forward to reading the rest of the story.
Once I find enough time to collect my thoughts, I will pen down the story of South Korea
First off, the post-trip travelogue has been amazing! It is something that I have been enjoying fo the past week o so. Second, the pictures are incredible.
If only I have a nice cam and the necessary photography skill but unfortunately I am lacking in both hahaha thanks Doc
Great interesting post and great photo.
Thank you LaJenna — now I run out of photos for the challenge