Coffee Breaks: Insadong

The Cultural Fusion

Mee Sing also insisted that we pay a visit to Insadong where the art and culture of the local people are best represented. Like any other tourist centre, the lanes and streets were thronged with interested parties and curious tourists. Again, the cool weather befitted a slow, leisure stroll and you do not feel tired from heat. It was wonderland experience.

Everyone has a place here; the youth, the aged and the middle-aged. The only downside is that things are priced on the high side and much thought is needed before purchase especially with our Ringgit. We had to lose a third of value in everything we bought and ate. It was so frustrating.

Art of all kinds are depicted here.

The quality too is preserved.

Even the trees are decorated.

It has a fun land feeling.

This is the entrance to an Art Centre called Ssamzigil.

You can imagine the world of art here.

Workshops in all manners of handiwork and craft are taught and found here.

Even the seat is engraved in Pinocchio style.

Very arty and the artists are will definitely feel at home here.

The South Koreans are very artistic and hold dearly to cultural traits and practices.

This is a display of expression perhaps painted by ordinary folks who express themselves best in this way.

Workshops are aplenty and you will be surprised at the numerous peices they created.

You can think of the most unthinkable and they may be found here.

The opportunity to learn and create art and craft is made so available and convenient.

The end products will make the owner proud.

Beautiful creations for the eye.

All the items displayed I believe were the art pieces of ordinary folks.

A trade may culminate in the process of learning.

We also had the chance to see a shooting.

The stars were from China and we did not fancy the shoes the actress was wearing!
They were not Korean stars otherwise I would have gone hay wire.

We spent hours immersing ourselves in the beauty and splendor of creativity.

The minutes and hours rolled away unconsciously and soon the sky grew darker.

You can walk miles and miles and not feel the tiredness.

Thanks to the cool weather.

Dad only thinks that drawings are worth the money and effort to buy.

He would never concede to other souvenirs saying that they are bought to gather dust.

But when it comes to paintings, there is reason to purchase. So dad and sister did the selection and of course I did the hardest job; haggling. The poor artist gave in to my demands and we settled for 2 new paintings and a gift from him. It was good deal and soon will find their way to one of the walls back home.