Changdeokgung Palace
October 13, 2024
Sunday
10:30 am
Have you ever heard the saying, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go asunder.”? Well, that is how my fall break started-my plan going asunder.
I had done extensive research into the palaces, temples, museums, must-see-sites, coffee shops, and restaurants I wanted to explore in different areas, grouping them by how close they were to each other. I had a firm, well researched, completely thought-out plan. *sigh* Then life happened.
So, the taxi was to pick me up from my home, taking me to the hotel, where I would drop off my two bags, then take me on to the first palace, Changyeongung. Well, a few blocks south of my hotel and the palaces is a main road that runs east to west. There was a marathon today that completely cut the taxi off from going any further north. I couldn’t even walk the few blocks north to cross the street then get a taxi on the other side because of the marathon.
The taxi driver dropped me off in Myondong, at a hotel, where he said I could find a coffee shop to wait out the marathon. Needless to say, there was no coffee shop. I was getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Remember, I am in an unfamiliar area, I can’t read the signs, I can’t speak the language, I walk with a cane (for the moment), which means I only have one arm to manage things, and my well-thought out plan that everything depends on just fell apart.
I usually can take things in stride, but there were more obstacles than I could manage at one time. I got a little teary-eyed. I found a quiet spot out of the way, did some deep breathing, put on my big girl britches and set out to find a place to sit for a while…all the while telling myself to keep it together for now. I would call my son when I got settled. He is a great listener and entertainer (My daughter had already told me she was busy during this time period, or I would have called her to make me laugh. She is the funniest individual I know.).
After talking to Jackson and Mama, eating something, journaling, and working on this blog in the café (a very Korean thing to do), the time passed quickly.
I move through much of my life trusting that things happen for a reason. However, from time to time, I get overwhelmed. This required me to recalibrate. I will put a few coping mechanisms here for future Renée and maybe you, too.
1. Take time to step away from the situation, even if it is for a few minutes.
2. Deep breath-Google “Square breathing”
3. Find a place of respite
4. Connect with your support network
5. Journal
6. Find something fun to do to take your mind off of things. Times flies when having fun.
I had literally been in this café for 3 hours, but no one seemed concerned. Working in a café for hours is very Korean. I told myself I would never do this. Historically, the idea of packing up all my stuff just to go work somewhere other than home seems inefficient to me. Frankly, though, I kind of liked it. But note, these were extreme circumstances. I just happened to have my computer and a lot of unplanned down time. Would I ever intentionally pack my stuff up to go work in a café? Probably not. It’s just not my style. I am, however, checking one more thing off my authentic Korean experience list.
…later that day
Remember me saying that I believe things happen for a reason? Well, when I got to my hotel to check my bag before setting off to adventure, at 1:45 pm, not 9:45 am, the management upgraded me to a nicer room for no additional charge. Hmmmm. I wonder if my room, which there are a limited number of, would have been available to me if I had shown up at 9:45 am. I just don’t know. I am going to take the win and be thankful. By the way, the hotel will be a separate post all to itself later.
I then headed to Changyeongung Palace. On the way to the palace, I came across this interesting scene of an ancient structure meets modern technology, so I took a picture of it. This scene is actually not that unfamiliar in Seoul. There are roads and skyscrappers at many intersections around Seoul that are in the shadow of ancient gates, walls, and buildings.
Because I got to the palace so late in the day, all the tickets for the Secret Garden were gone. I will just circle back later in the month. Here is a little blurb (verbatim) about the significance of this palace:
It was built as an igung (a temporary palace that was used in case the official royal palace cannot be used due to wars or disasters).
It became a central place during the Joseon Dynasty as many kings conducted their governance of the dynasty when they stayed at this palace.
It boasts its natural beauty as its buildings were arranged in harmony with the natural topology. Note from Renée: In the first image of the palace, notice the mountain in the background. It is actually part of a mountain range. The palace was built running in parallel to the mountain range.
During the 15th century, it often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines.
It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1997.
SOURCES:
https://english.seoul.go.kr/service/amusement/traditional-culture/2-five-palaces/
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr
In case you have not picked up on the fact, I will crystalize the obvious: I find architecture fascinating. It is the most amazing fusion of art and application. Also, I like trees. Although pine trees are not my favorite, they are Mama’s favorite. Since she cannot be here to see them, I will always post pictures of the pine trees for her to see (Mama, if the images of trees are not big enough for you to see well, click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner. When the drop-down menu pops up, scroll down to the Zoom function and make it as big as you want it. XOXO).
Special thanks goes out to my daughter, who took a photography class in college a few years ago. She instructed me well as she explained the processes and techniques she used while taking her pictures. I used several of the tips she shared while taking these photos.
After exploring the palace and its grounds, I set out to find sustenance. I didn’t have to go far-only about 50 yards passed my hotel. The name of the place was Dante’s. As a rule, I avoid places that have chosen to name themselves any derivative of Satan (It kinda creeps me out.), but I didn’t notice the name of the establishment at the time, as one has to be on the other side of this tight alley to see it. It was aesthetically pleasing, jazz music was floating out of the open door, and it had Italian food-oh, yeah, and I was starving. It was about 6 pm and I hadn’t eaten since the cafe adventure about 10 am.
The food was pretty good. I am not sure if they were trying to make it a Korean-Italian fusion pasta dish, but it was. It was so very spicey. The sauce was too thin to stay on the noodles, so it formed a soup base at the bottom of the bowl. It was a little sweet. It struck me as Italian ramen. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but it was not traditional Italian food as I know it. I would definitely go back.
It turned out to be a really good day, even though the beginning was a bit rocky. That’s the thing about life-it changes ever so quickly.
For more pictures from this day, go to Catagories, then Adventure Log, Chronologically