Blue House Experience



When we decided to come to Korea, Gary and I made an agreement that we would accept any invitation that came our way... no matter how silly, gross or unlike us it was, and that we would participate in these activities with enthusiasm.  This has been a mostly good policy (with the exception of late afternoon alcohol induced kareoke) and it is how we wound up in Seoul today.  A parent at our school was involved in planning a fashion show at the blue house (Cheong Wa Dae) and asked for the kids to participate as part of the "Future of Korea."  So, onto the KTX we went...

The Blue House is the location of the President's office.  The house is not blue, only the roof.  As you approach by car there are several statues in the middle of the street. 
http://english.president.go.kr/tours/place_buildings/main_office.php

The second statue on the way.

Not sure if today was a special day, but there were lots of people in costumes marching around the median strip.

More costumed marchers.

This gate seems to be the entry way to the Blue House area. 

We had an e-mail message printed out from our school secretary saying that we had permission to enter, and that was enough for THIS guard.

This area is a central courtyard between the blue house and the exhibition hall that we were supposed to go to... so no... we didn't actually get to go TO the blue house... or to meet the first lady... or even really see the blue house...

However, with enthusiasm we took lots of pictures of the costumed marchers...

... and the big puffy military mascots.

Note to self... when someone gives you directions that involve walking right through an assembly of soliders putting on a display, go around next time.

OK, this is looking more like it... I see some traditional ladies, we are finally on the right track.

We arrive at the exhibition hall and the kids are hustled off to get costumed.

R-Man rockin his outfit!

Pooks getting her costume on, with the help of two nice ladies.

Don't they look so cute!



The fashion show was put on by the Beak Hyun-Ju HANBOK research institute which "strives to succeed the grace of Korean traditional clothing culture and... to infuse the elegance of tea culture into the enhancement of HANBOK culture..."



The kids practiced walking for about one hour.  The lady telling the kids (8 Americans) spoke only Korean, and the 8 Americans spoke only English.   You can probably tell this will not end well for the lady... she was like, (in Korean) "go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go." and the kids just stood there smiling at her, waiting for her to tell them what to do... After that stress R-Man had to hide behind the rows of chairs and chill out :) 

Pooks got her hair and makeup done... so it was time for round two of pictures.

This is the group of photographers from the blue house, and the local TV and newspaper waiting at the end of the runway.  Just a little intimidating!

The show started with these two guys doing a dance with lots of dramatic pauses.

Here comes R-Man!

Doing his spin/ walk back.

Here comes Pooks!

She got lots of applause from the crowd.

These pictures are of (in case you can't figure this out on your own) other people in traditional Korean clothing.

At the very end, for the finale, Pooks and this lady walked out and back holding hands... in Korean, grandmother is "Har-mo-ny"

Pooks wanted her picture taken with each other person, R-Man, not so much.

Almost done...

Just one more...

OK, made it to the end... this guy was just great.


Our next post should be from Thialand, where we head on Monday.  June 29 we'll be in the 321... can't wait to see you all!  xoxoxo