Lance's photos: August 2006

A holiday

The other day I was on a bus taking a trip I have taken a hundred times before. However, I usually sit on the right side of the bus but today I had to sit on the left, and low and behold, I saw something I have never noticed before, I buddhist temple and a HUGE wall! They were both on a mountain side. I had seen this mountain before but because of the way they are situated on the mountain I had not seen them before now. I was shocked! I was even more shocked when I couldn't find them in any travel books or online. I called the tourist info line and they informed me that those temples are not really for tourist they house "mudang" (moo dAHng) Korean style shaiman. I was intrigued! I wanted to go! She said I could go but not to expect much. I was out the door in about 10 minutes. To get there I had to walk through. literally, a construction site, they are building a big ole apartment complex right in front of the place, so sad! Anyway, the place is special because it is situated on top of a geomagnetic center. That means it has a lot of power and strength for healing and physic powers. I walked around and chatted with a woman who was a Mudang and she told me a bit about what she does, how she does it and how much it cost. For a son, be prepared to shell out about $10,000. YEAH! I need a job change! I asked about her accurate she is in getting people to have sons. She told me that if they follow her instructions and do what they are suppose to, 100%! I was surprised by that. I told her I was about to go to grad school and start a whole new life and she said if I would like to have a "luck ceremony" I could for only $1000. I think I will take my chances with fate.

Ivy path

Nice door art

Hello entrance to your house

Nice mural

Scrap tiles

A great wall made from old tiles

Tiles

That is Namsan mountain behind the tile. You can barely see it. This is a normal day in Seoul. That is why the next set of photos from a different day are so impressive.

A walk through history

They live under the temple. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

Buddha in the garden

Pretty colors

The temple through the trees

The call to worship bell

Ding Dong

This is what is left of Seoul's fortress wall.

Through the trees

Up close

Lovely path not taken

Stacking rocks on the road

This rock is sacred in Korea. Many women come here to pray for sons. It is suppose to resemble a hooded monk with a backpack.

The birds of him

Rock and tree

Rose of Sharon and Lantern

The national flower of Korea, The rose of sharon!

Strange tree shapes

The garden with in

On a clear day you can see forever!

Today was such a gorgeous day! I wanted to take advantage of it so I went to the temple behind my house to walk to the top of the mountain and take pics of the city. I got more than I bargained for, it was the Lotus Flower Festival. So beautiful! The city was also amazing. I love walking in these woods. I just can't get over the fact that I live here and that this is, literally, in my backyard! Enjoy!

I took this photo twice. Once with the flower in focus the second with the temple in focus. Which one do YOu like more?

Take 2

Lotus

Praying to the flowers

Flowers and temple. I can't get over the fact that this is just 10 minutes from my house.

My favorite photo of the day

Hiding

Like a baby in a blanket, albeit a HUGE blanket!

I tried to get the dragon in the photo but just as i clicked the wind blew. OH well. :(

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! I can't believe I took this! It looks like a screen saver pic from windows.

Lotus and temple

Under a lotus sky!

Life cycle of a lotus flower. From birth to death in one picture

Sneak Peak!

The top of the mountain, straight ahead!

Path to prayer

This composition reminded me of, and I know it is a stretch, of the Sistine Chapel and God reaching for Adam. Anyway, that is what I was thinking when I took this picture.