Land of the Morning Calm-Korea: South Korea-Land of the Morning Calm

Day 2-Asan Si-Korea, 28 April 2009.

We were introduced to our first host family in Asan where the team had our first home stay with the respective host family for three-days. My host family was extremely warm in welcoming me to the family. My host parents, the Shim's family with their son, Dong Chan was extremely anxious when they met me as both of them could not converse in English and Dong Chan acted as my interpreter so we could understand and communicate with each other...

Next morning, we visited Asan Oeam Maeul, a traditional village house comprising of traditional noble house made of giwa (tiles) and straw houses. All houses in Oeam have stone walls and clean water from Seolhwasan flows through the town by artificial watercourse, which is used for gardening or living water. This watercourse is well harmonised with fruit trees, flowering trees and forests thus producing a beautiful scene. Oeam preserved its traditional life styles where I tried the Korean traditional mill which was used by farmers to mill grains and ko-chu-jang (Korean chilli pepper paste). Oeam also exhibits traditional Korean wedding ceremony which traditional Hanbok used for the ceremony. I noticed Korean uses kama, a small palanquin which is similar to ancient Chinese wedding. Oeam also displayed traditional Korean house where each room is displayed with the furniture and fittings. For lunch, we had traditional Korean food bap (rice) with kimchi, kong nam mul, bean paste and vegetables.

Then, we visited Shinjung Lake Park where the monument of Admiral Yi Sun-sin was located. Admiral Yi Sun-sin was known for his loyalty in protecting his country from the invasion of Japan and he was famous for the invention of Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) which is the first ship made of iron clad.

After that, we visited Hyundai Motor Company Plant which assembles and manufactures Sonata and Grandeur (Azera) model with the production capacity of 30,000 mid-to large-size passenger cars annually.

As for dinner, we had scrumptious Korean BBQ seafood. We visited the Admiral Yi Sun-sin festival with some Rotarians family which is celebrated every month of April to commemorate his birthday during the night where we met with the mayor.