Independance Museum

We spent an entire day in a "country" town called Chun-An. Jun said this was the country. It looked like Tacoma. He was serious...this was the country. Everyone calls people from Chu-An country bumpkins.

We were invited by a family friend to visit the Independence Museum and have lunch. 5 Junior High boys would hang with us to speak English and we would get free transportation! DEAL! The Family friend...don't know his name...owns a mental hospital. So our transportation came from the hospital - the driver...and the bus that said CHUN AN MENTAL INSTITUTION in big blue letters. This is hilarious!

The Junior High boys spoke pretty good English to us after they got over being shy. One kid was the best - he cracked me up because every time he answered my questions he spoke like he was reading in front of the class!

Me: "So, what is your favorite food?"
Jr. High Boy: " MY FAV-ORITE FOOD...IS-uh...KOREAN uh... KIM CHI"
Me: "I like it too!"
JHB: "YESuh...I TINK IT SPICY."

They asked us questions...that seemed to be from books...Where are you from? What do you like to eat? What movie do you like? Where are you from? Where are you from? ...Where are you from.
OK! Fellas! You need to ask another question!
Blank stares.
Jun translated - this time was the first time I saw Jun as a superior. Very cool. He acted very mature and sort of annoyed at the Jr. kiddos. His tone was sort of bossy as he said - you country bumpkins! You asked that same question 3 times...can't you think of another? Geez.

You would think this would discourage the boys - but they are used to negative/sort of positive encouragement.

JHB: "Are you scared?"
Me: "why?"
JHB: "BECAUSE...WE ARE GOING TO SEE (long pause to gain energy) BLOODY PEOPLE."
Me: "What? OH! The Museum..."
JHB: "YES. MANY MANY JAPANESE CUT KOREANS. IT IS SCARY."
Me: "...I think I am going to be sad."
JHB:" Sad? Why?"
Me: "Because Koreans have many sad stories. This Museum will tell them all."

The Museum is majestic! Two large points jut up out of the earth...the courtyard is wide...the museum directly behind the points. If you look straight on, the points look like your thumbs when you are praying - folding your hands with the thumbs up. Beautiful.

The museum was amazing. It starts from the beginning with the 3 Kingdoms - Korea occupied a large portion of China at one time. Kings, Queens, Monks...the design, architecture of the ancient people...breathless.

Then there was the Japanese Occupation section. In a nutshell, King's father wanted isolation from the world, the King wanted to just live in the palace and didn't seem to have a lot of gumption. The Queen wanted to open Korea to the world. The Japanese didn't want Korea to get Western technology (guns, etc.) but wanted Korea for themselves. They killed the Queen, forced the King to sign a document giving Japan half? of the power to govern.

In my opinion - the Royalty screwed up big time and the Japanese forces in Korea were brutal.

On our way home, the boys tried to fog up the windows so no one would see them. I kinda enjoyed the fact that I was in this bus - not only was the day free BUT this was hilarious! We parked downtown...the boys were humiliated...got out of the bus and ate dinner. Said goodbye and we headed home.