Gu Byeong Ah Reum Village 구병아름 마을, Chung Cheong Buk-Do 춘청북도
South Korea 대한민국
G20 is a big event for Korea. This year, 2010, Korea is the host of the G20 Summit. In line with this, the government has since developed 20 rural places in South Korea for foreigners to visit and experience with. They call this Rural 20. One of the destinations is Gu Byeong Ah Reum Village 구병아름 마을 in Chung Cheong Buk-Do 춘청북도. It is located near Daejeon, somewhere in the middle of South Korea (South of Seoul).
6 November 2010
First stop was: Munui Cultural Heritage Complex 문의문화재단지
It is composed of all the basic traditional things, houses, equipments, even to the point of those death ceremonies, etc. The area where Munui Cultural Heritage Complex was created to preserve and showcase its culture to the next generation as well as to the foreigners. There is a lake just outside the Munui Cultural Heritage Complex, Daecheongho 대청호 (湖) - which is said to be the 3rd largest lake in South Korea. It is a man-made lake wherein before it was built, the place was a residential places for approximately 26,000 locals. They have to all relocate for this cause.
Second stop: Samnyeongsanseong Fortress 삼년산성
It is a 1.68km long Fortress built during the Silla Dynasty for 3 years. The name of the fortress itself means 3 years - Sam 삼 (3) nyeon 년 (years) by around 3,000 people. We had to hike up the "mountain" to walk through the Fortress. The sand is very slippery and even the weather is cool, it is hot because of the existence of the sun as well as our physical activity.
In the Fortress, there is a Black Smith where they make their own knife, scissors, etc. I am lucky enough to bring this home. =)
Third Stop: House of Seon Byeong-kook 선병국 가옥
This is the traditional house way back in the early 1900s. The house has around 110 rooms and has been believed to be a lucky and good place to live in. Aside from the residents of the place, the rooms are being rented out. The current tenants (non residents) are those people who are currently or will be taking important exams soon.
The house is maintained at its original shape and structure with less modernization. Currently, some of the residents make and sell Red Pepper Paste (고추장), Soy Bean Paste (됀장), Soy Sauce (간장). One of the soy sauce is said to have been preserved for 350 years already and is sold for 5 million Korean Won per 1 liter.
Last stop for the 1st day: Jeongipumsong 정이품송 (正二品松）
Jeongipumsong is a 600 years old Pine Tree which has a very important historical meaning for the Koreans. The tree has a name, which is Jeongipumsong. This was derived from the Chinese characters 正二品松 (정이품송 - Jeongipumsong). Song is the Pine Tree. However, this was named Jeongipumsong because back in 1464, King Sejong had to go to the Beumju Temple and when King Sejong passed by, the tree lifted its branches (probably due to wind?) which King Sejong does not need to bow or bend his body anymore. During the ancient times, King does not bow or bend down to anyone or anything. Thus, King Sejong gave a name to the tree - which means the 2nd highest rank in the government position.
As we can see now, the tree is being supported by many poles to prevent its branches to fall. The tree is being maintained and taken cared of by experts regularly.
The place is also very abundant of Dates, Persimmon - where the people eat fresh and dried. Vendors selling Dates are giving few pieces of Fresh Dates for free.
7 November 2010
First stop for the 2nd day: Beomjusa Temple 법주사
The temple was built during the Silla Dynasty and consists of a tall Buddha, made of gold. We can also find a 5-storey building - which is one of the oldest building (in Korea?). The temple has been destroyed during the Japanese occupation and through various other means but has been constantly being restored and maintained. Even when we visited, some of the areas of the temple vicinity are being restored.
Last stop for the 2nd and last day: Gubyeong Areum Village 구병아름 마을
The village has only few residents, approximately 30 families, 60 individuals. This village is also known as the village of LONGEVITY.
There is a round white sticker in my sleeves. That is a campaign fighting for Forest Fire. Since the trees and leaves are getting drier and drier, the advocates are concerned about those irresponsible individuals who just throw away their cigarette buds and trash/tissues anywhere in the "Park"; thus, the active campaign being done.
We did some art crafts - pencil holder - using dried wood. We also made rice cakes from scratch! I never thought that we will be doing this from scratch as I already saw the process 2 weeks ago but the locals in Naetgang Village already processed it and just prepared it for us to "hit" or "hammer" on.
With our tour guide, Ms. Han.
Our tour guide, village chief and the SISF members. Village Chief was explaining about the background of their village.
It was a tiring yet fulfilling trip, learning more about the traditional way of life in Korea. This is my 4th rural visit in Korea to-date, yet this one is the most fruitful trip I had been to. Although the place is "rural", we can see how advance they are. There is no difference with what they have and from the things that the people in the city have, except for the roads/farms, stores, shops, etc. However, the rest of the things available in the city are also available in the rural places of Korea. Electric posts are everywhere. Cars are everywhere. Telecommunications and Wireless Communications/Cables have already serviced those rural places. It is even the city which does not have the "fresh" air that the rural areas have.
7 November 2010
11:48 pm Korea Time
Karina Marie Ang Chua
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