Travel Journal:

My Month in Seoul - Ingwansan and Seodaemun Prison


Ingwansan and Seodaemun Prison
 
I had barely recovered from the mystery illness, but I decided my time in Seoul was limited, so I had to suck it up and just do it!

My first stop that day was Seodaemun Prison. Rather disturbing and graphic, this prison is not for the weak of heart, or stomach for that matter! The prison was used during the Japanese occupation in an attempt to squash Korean national uprising. Patriotic fighters were imprisoned, tortured, and executed there until the Korean liberation in 1945.

I continued across the street, around a little neighborhood, and through some construction to finally find (about 15-20 minutes walk) a sort of entrance gate to the little village. I hiked up the mountain, around the elaborately painted houses along the steep trail. Ingwansan is absolutely beautiful! I passed colorful shrines and temples, statues and bells, offerings of soju and food. At the highest point of the trail sat two giant, naturally eroded Zen rocks. People were praying and meditating in front of them, so in an attempt to not be rude, I hiked around to the back to take some photos and write a bit.

Winter in Seoul is incredibly cold! There I was, sitting on a mountain in the begining of January! Somehow, the cold did not effect me at that moment... Maybe there were just so many more important things to which I needed to devote my senses.

I looked around me. Soju bottles stacked to my right.. A woman praying to my left.. Birds flying from one rock to another in groups..
I listened. Wings flapping.. A gong in the distance.. Bells even further.. Chanting.. The wind wizzing by my ears.. The drone of a city surrounding it all..

I cannot explain how I felt with words.

I stayed there until I lost all feeling in my ears and hands. Then began my descent.
 
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Seoul Journal : My Month in Seoul - Ingwansan and Seodaemun Prison Travel Photos
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