Travels: South Korea

The day after graduation, my sister and I went backpacking in Korea for two weeks:

Even though I have never been to Korea before nor did much destination research prior to departing, while there, there were several moments when I felt a strong sense of deja vu. About a month prior to our trip, I woke to a vivid dream of travelling through Korea and drew it down within minutes of waking (first image). It felt real, I felt the wind blowing as well as warmth from the sun and blue sky (that actually wasn't accurate, as much of the sky we saw there was always in a grey haze). I dreamt of a recreational trail / boardwalk that winded itself around and through a series of islands where at each opening were opportunities to explore. When we arrive at Busan (second image), I found that feeling. It felt incredible.

(Top left) Train station in Seoul.
(Mid left) On our first morning in Seoul, I met a carpenter in the prince's palace while noting how roof pieces fit together. He showed me his tool set, wood pieces, and pointed to the bright colours of pink, yellow, green painted at the ends. He was friendly and show pride in what he does. I was impressed. I forego sketching to listen to him.
(Bottom left) Rice patty fields were a consistent theme as we travelled by trains and intercity buses. I was beginning to identify a central pathway with the short end of each field abutting to the path. There are also a letdown into every field.
(Top mid) Tombs I observed on hills.
(Center) The most delicious seafood hotpot we've had from our first night in Busan. We pointed to our phrase book and grinned sheepishly, "What would you recommend?" A few awkwardly hand gestures later, the ladies brought us each a boiling bowl with squid, abalone, rice, spicy soup base, and of course, lots of side dishes. As we start fiddling with the spoon and rice, they felt compelled to guide us to put all the rice in the bowl. So much easier. That interactive dining experience is later succeeded with a BBQ place and the old man who showed us to grill meat...
(Bottom mid-right) Golf driving range over a parking lot. I adore that ingenuity!
(Top right) Hexagon train / inter bus station in Seoul.
(Mid right) Waiting outside a palace for admission.

 Dedicated to Patrick Condon, whom I immediately thought of when I saw the market in Yeosu, the coastal town that hosted Expo 2012. The neat thing about this market and other ones in Korea are the stores' deliveries are made in the front of the building. The scene of a motorcycle strapped with boxes and its rider keeping their bike upright with one foot is a common sight. Even chain stores like 7-11 would quickly park their van near / on the sidewalk, unload and deliver through the front door.

RE: Thom -Island Studio

It has been 2 and a half year counting, I found this undelivered on my hard drive, oh my.

A section cut of our ferry boat on our way back to Vancouver. A worker on Deck 2 surprised me by miraculously appearing, peaked over my shoulder and added helpfully, "You missed a column." 

A clue as to where I sat during the presentation, hi Thom.

RE: Sheena and Laura -Dim Sum

What's a meal amongst friends? Over the art of dim sum nonetheless. 

Below is a map of dim sum locations I frequent, this includes our dine out at Kingsway. Having mapped this, Vancouver seems to exhibit a band of dim sum restaurants spanning along its north-south axis -either my ventures are limited in scope or that's where the ethnic communities are congregated. 

To let you know you've been thought about, I've drawn tea for three on three seperate dine outs. Laura, for you, a steamed bean curd with three types of mushrooms (far left, second down). 

 With all the staring (at the food) I've done at the restaurants, I think the waitresses were getting the wrong idea I was a mole from the food inspection department.

And with this post, I submerge into the depth of thesis until May. Safe trip Laura, Sheena and I are on our own epic journey in Vancouver.

RE: Alice -Happy Birthday

Because you know Starbucks so well.

There is this bench inside the Starbucks by the Granville skytrain station that just organizes everyone arounds it, subtle but impressive.

RE: Derek -Diagram Surroundings

By diagraming our surroundings, we always gain insights into place making.

A delightful little nook in the Tsawwassen ferry departure terminal. A focal point at the end of an allele of food stalls, this glass fireplace is surrounded by wooden block seatings -situated half indoors, half outdoors, completing a whimsical dialogue of inside/outside.

 Cumberland's town square is a small clearing along a continuous street facade. It did feel a little barren when it's not occupied by children and their parents in the morning (there is a busy coffee shop adjacent to the square). The benches are situated at different angles, I'd be interested to revisit once the trees mature. I suspect benches are angled towards trees, street, picnic table, and other benches in general.

Walking down a segment of the main street and chatting with Jane the local.

RE: Niall -Sweet Ride

While you were doing all the work driving... 

(ride from Nanaimo)

 Our journey back in sections:

RE: Miriam -Surreal Trip

A bank note from surreal Miriland where two oysters would trade for one cup of coffee. 

When it dawned on me that Oyster River Studio was held in Cumberland, south of Oyster River:

I may not have gotten to know Oyster River but Cumberland is a small town with a history in mining. As one lady remarked, "You won't find nice Kitsilano Victorian houses here, most of these houses were built to be simple accomodations for the miners."  The mines has since closed and younger generations have moved in, but still, Cumberland remained a quietly thriving town (with the occasional motorist's engine roaring outside the hostel). More to post.

RE: Peter & Jason -Baseball

Friday's baseball game rebroadcast to you by Napkin©

Commentary: There were the game, the light/shade cast by the roof, pigeons on rafters, and super-sized food/beverages. Simultaneously, the stands smelled like popcorn, the group started the 'wave' and the audience performed the funky chicken dance. Now you are up to date on Baseball Friday!

RE: THE Amigos -the forbidden city

Although I met you wonderful lot shortly after this trip to the forbidden city, if we had travelled together, we would have:

 Seen the many layers of the palace...

Tried to figure how they designed the royal gardens:

Stared at paving and get excited over alignments:

(A woman peered at my sketchbook and ventured a guess that I was Singaporean for looking asian while scribbling in English. May I be a honorary Singaporean, my real Singaporean pals?)

Finished off the evening by following the south axis and arrived at a street filled with food vendors. Interior of a small noodle restaurant:

What a way to travel!

RE: Roya -Beijing

Last summer, while I waited outside a subway station for you, a man in his twenties glanced over this sketch and commented in mandarin, 'Not bad.' The conversation was short but we parted with a wave. It seems universally agreed upon that the random person sketching next to you is always friendly and easy to talk to -chances are, they are right.

Deciphering rushed scribbles, sentiments on that park you brought me to after dinner.

 "Roya brought me to this amazing park. Now I truly believe when she says the park below her apartment is always bustling with activities. I believe that parks are vital in our everyday life, especially if one lives in an apartment or overtime routinely -this is one pace where we shed our day's trouble to be merry and partake in something larger than ourselves."