7-14-19 - Korea Summary

Day 28, Korea was fabulous! Four nights and four days of fun, singing and yummy Korean food.

We are here as part of the National Children’s Chorus 2019 international tour to Japan and Korea. Our first stop included two performances where NCC was the main act at the Lindenbaum Festival for peace! They performed literally within the fences of the DMZ, or the closest point that you can be to North Korea.

Our first day in Korea included a trip to the National Folk Museum and the Royal Palace to learn about Korean traditions and the Josdreon dynasty. That night we went to a Welcome Dinner at the Floating Island Convention Center. Our walking tour of Seoul included a stop at a man-made stream, an urban oasis in bust Seoul and a trip to an authentic Korean marketplace. After dinner a few of us go out to the night markets, which consisted fast fashion at its best!

The highlight of Korea will be our visit to the DMZ as we entered where you can only go by special invitation! The music is phenomenal and the family is all doing well so far!

Korea Snapshot

Overall Assessment – super cool, very friendly, modern. Exceeded expectations.

Activities – Gwangiang Market in Jongno-gu, walking tour of Seoul, Dora Observatory (DMZ)

Cultural / Historical – Changdeokgung Palace, Korean National Folk Museum, Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Camp Greaves (DMZ), Nijo-jo Castle

John’s Performances – @ Mapo Art Center (Seoul) with Arborvitae Chamber Music Orchestra, @ Camp Greaves, DMZ for the Lindbaum Music Festival with the Lindbaum Festival Orchestra

 Dinners – Hotel Buffett, NCC Welcome Dinner – Floating Island on Han River, TGIF (American), Authentic Korean BBQ (Korean)

Interesting people met – Korean guitar player at market place who asked me where I’m from and upon hearing California, proceeding to jam out a “Welcome to the Hotel California” by the Eagles dedication to us

UNESCO Sites – Changdeokgung Palace