yet so that is where we went first. We went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Right as we got there it was the 
changing of the guards which is always I neat performance. Rory’s mom told me that the guards a military men. The is a sought after position because it is easy work. The problem is you have to be a certain height and weight and you have to be good looking. We walked through the gate 
to find the King’s meeting hall. You cannot really appreciate the fine detail from the pictures but the painting is intricate and beautiful. Here is the king's royal chair. 
Kings were allowed to have many girlfriends so there were lots of sleeping quarter around his place for his staff which was about 3000 people. An original sundial
is here showing how they told time. The King and the Queen had their own buildings for sleeping and living. 
There were large living rooms and smaller side rooms for sleeping and eating. 
The locks on the door are different from most locks 
I have seen. The floors were heated underground for warmth. This is called ondol.
Out back 
a garden was built for exercising in a safe place. 
It is quite lovely!
Pine trees are apparently lucky so this pine tree is being saved by being held up with metal supports. On the grounds there is also a museum. On the way over we stopped at the 
Chinese Zodiac calendar. We also stopped at a traditional village house where I tried on some shoes. 
These shoes are good for walking in mud and with the open courtyard the house got muddy. It was typical to keep your cow in the house, right next to the kitchen! 
Convenient if it is a milk cow but a bit smelly! In the museum Rory explained several artifacts to me. History is his worst subject but he seemed pretty knowledgeable to me. There was a big display on salt-how it is made and it’s gift of good luck. We wrote wishes and then tossed salt
to make them come true. Our palace trip ended with us walking to the Blue House, which is like our White House. There was some political event happening so we were not able to get too close by foot. We stopped at a café and had red beans and ice, a favorite Korean dessert. It was huge! 
I liked it but did not need a portion that size. While Rory, his mom and I were eating his dad went to get the car. We then drove by the Blue House. 
Again we couldn’t see much but I did get a glimpse. My car tour continued with riding down a street that is comparably to SOHO in New York and see traditional uberexpensive 
Korean houses in this area. It was cute and trendy! I had bought so many souvenirs that I asked to go either to Itaweon or Namdaemun to buy a new suitcase. We ended up back at Namdaemun where I bought an awesome new piece of luggage. I learned to barter from Diane. We also ended up with some gifts for some of Rory and Jane’s old teachers that I have to give to them. 
I enjoyed being able to ask Mrs. Kim what each type of food was. She wanted to get pig’s feet since she loves them but she is health conscience so she did not. While the ladies were shopping the boys were watching TV in the car. 
The fancy navigations devices have live TV capabilities as do all their Smartphones. Pretty cool!
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