Independence Day... Thursday, March 1

Today marked Independence Day here in South Korea so my buddy Big Foot and I celebrated the day by taking a visit to the Independence Hall out in Mokcheon, the next city over. I've been living in Korea for 7 years now and have yet to actually go into the exhibit. I've been on the grounds and whatnot but never inside. Strange too when you consider I minored in Korean culture and have eagerly explored other things I studied back when I was a university student.

So anyways... today we jumped in a cab and headed off to the Independence Hall where we walked around, chatted about the history of Korea and talked to some random Koreans. An older man walked up to Big Foot and yelled out "Welcome to Korea!" and then high fived him. That was hilarious... hahaha.

At one part of the exhibit there was a lady kneeling on the gound, right in the middle of a narrow walkway. I asked a security man if she was a part of the exhibit and he told me no, she's a Japanese trying to make amends. I felt sad seeing her especially considering what the Independence Hall is all about -- independence from Japan. Many Koreans still foster a hatred towards the Japanese and I think it's really sad. Sure they'll never forget their past, it's not expected, but life is meant to be lived in a forward motion.

Getting a bus back to Cheonan was next to impossible but when I asked an older lady about the bus fee she suggested we jump in the call-taxi she just called for. So that's exactly what we did but her refusing us to help pay for the taxi was a huge sweet bonus.

Happy Independence Day Korea!!!