Another Stroll Through Seoul

After parting ways with the folks at the wedding, I decided to check out a bit more of Seoul before heading back home. I visited the Seoul Museum of Art, as I was unable to make my way there last time. Though I was glad to learn that it was free admission, I was slightly disappointed by what lay inside. Nothing really blew me away, but here were some highlights.

These large marbles, which showed panoramic views of various buildings, such as soccer stadiums and cathedrals, made you feel almost God-like standing over them. 

When I first read this poem, I was standing on the wrong side, so I was actually reading it backwards, and somehow, it actually felt right. Once I walked to the other side and realized I was being an idiot, I still enjoyed it very much, but I think I kinda liked reading it better backwards. I think the reason I like it so much is this is kinda how I feel a lot of the time. It's kind of like what it sounds like inside my head.

a work without beginning
a work never made
a thing that alters its own condition
something unaffected by time
a work that destroys its maker
an unrecognizable thing
something that barely touches reason
a thing without properties
an action that lasts forever
something without meaning
something in a fixed position
a thing that only exists in relation
a thing that cannot be thought
an action based on probability
a work derived from impossibilities
something changing into something else
a thing always one step ahead
something that causes itself
an action without consequence
a thing conceived by memory
an action that does not take place
a work inside another work
something in transition
a work from multiple viewpoints. 

I don't know what the hell this is supposed to be, but it reminded me of a Dalek, so I took a picture of it.

At first I thought this was just a random log being held up by two Buddhist figures, but upon closer inspection...

...there are a bajillion coins hammered into the log. Each coin represents a wish made by people passing by. Nifty.

 

That's what a shredded Encyclopedia Britannica looks like. Pretty badass.

Afterwards, I sort of just moseyed around until I came across Deoksu Palace, and figured I'd take a stroll around.

I never get tired of seeing old beautiful temples and buildings right alongside modern buildings. Imagine just being able to come here anytime you'd like for a quick lunch or something.

Funky Korean trees

Built around 1900, the king brought guests here to wine, dine, and entertain them.

 

Right about now is when my phone died, which sucked, because I didn't get a chance to take pictures of THIS view. Inside was a lovely little museum that I found to be much more inspiring than the Seoul Museum of Art.

I also couldn't get a shot of the library and City Hall, which look like this:

The library is a historical building, while City Hall in the back just looks stunning. 

After that, it was home to watch Argentina/Belgium and Netherlands/Costa Rica. (So close, Costa Rica. So close.)