Gyeongju - Sunday & Monday, August 14 & 15

I arrived in Gyeongju at about 5 in the evening, so I immediately went looking for lodging. The city is a tourist mecca, teeming with people visiting the ancient sites and modern amusement parks. My book recommended a motel, but for the first time was turned away. There is a youth hostel nearby, so I tried it. They were also booked, but had a guesthouse nearby in which I could stay the night, until a room opened up the next day. They had to prepare the room, so I left my bag and did some quick touring of the city.

Gyeongju was the capital of the Shilla kingdom and is home to numerous ancient tombs which appear as large grassy hill.

A few blocks away is Tumuli Park in which there are many such tombs.

There is one small excavated tomb in which we can go, though there's not much to see inside.

Outside this paid admission park, there's a free park with fewer tombs.

I returned to the hostel, found my room and had an uncomfortable night in a hot un-air-conditioned room. While waiting in the morning, I listened to the French conversions around me. The owners had spent many years in France (and actually seemed more French than Korean) and seemingly most of the guests were also French. It was a little strange. Friends from our Anyang church were nearby and, knowing I was in the city, picked me up and toured with me throughout the are.

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Urim shows off his 'blue tooth' which appears to be a rubber fish from a par of Crocs.

We had a fancy lunch.

The first stop was the tomb of General Kim Yu-shin.

Here is Zinnia, Anna and their children Urim and Sion (I'm not sure exactly how then spell their names in English, but they're both from Hebrew: Light and Zion, respectively).

They were with family prior to this and brought their nephew along with them. We needed to interupt our photo, so Urim could kill an insect.

They suggested that I pose on this alter. I was going for the Burt Reynolds, but got the pose wrong. Still super sexy, though.

Our next stop was Seokguram Grotto.

Zinnia paid for me to ring the bell.

I failed miserably; I was more concerned with not breaking anything and wasn't told that I was supposed to rock it once, twice, then bang.

So the old lady allowed me to hit it again...with her assistance.

With all the tourists, I had many opportunities to see some great couple's outfits.

There are chipmunks somewhere in there.

Its prize is this granite Buddha, of which I am not supposed to be taking pictures.

The are the remains of...something. I forget.

Next stop, Bulguksa. Gyeongju is really spread out and I was really enjoying have someone drive me from place to place.

Two of its national treasures are twin stone pagodas. This one is called "Dabotap"

Sarira Pagoda.

I got pretty excited to see a shrine to Guan-eum, of whom I'm spoken of previously. I think this was the first time seeing one. Again, no pictures.

Finally, as it's especially beautiful at night, we went to Anapji, an artificial pond and ancient palace sight, though very little of the buildings remain.

Finished, they decided to continue on back to Seoul and offered me a ride with them. At this point, I was very tempted, but I'd already paid for two more nights at the hostel and just a few more places to visit. I spent another hot, this time wish a fan, uncomfortable night at the hostel. Despite having paid for one more night, and plenty more to see in the city, I decided to take a bus to the next place. There was much to see, but the heat and swarms of tourists was making me uncomfortable.