WSK Batch 3 Camp -- Gunsan and Jeonju

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A is Jeonju and B is Gunsan

July 2 - July 3, WSK, World Students in Korea program, had a camp to two cities in south west part of Korea peninsula. Gunsan, the industrial city, is a place where we visit 2 new factories. First, we visit Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard where they make ship and sell it to another country. At the time we visit that place, there were 2 ready-to-send-ships, and they were really huge. They said they make 20 ships per year (if I am not mistakenly heard). Second factory was Hyundai Wind Turbine Plant. They make wind turbine to supply electric energy. They actually mentioned about how much energy they make per wind turbine, but then I did not really pay attention to it, sowwyyy. Anyway, this city is pretty much similar like my hometown, Balikpapan. We also have these heavy equipment factories like Thiess, Volvo and Schlumberger. Also, we have a lot of Oil Mining Factory, such as Pertamina, Chevron Indonesia Company, Total, etc. So, it was pretty much reminding me of home sweet home.

We were prohibited to take any picture because what is going on at those places are very very big secret, so I just have some picture, that is one of them, the miniature of wind turbine produced by Hyundai.

After from Gunsan, we went to Jeonju city. It is said that Jeonju is very famous of 5 things which among them is Bibimbap. Long time ago, the King of Korea did not want to eat Bibimbap except Bibimbap from Jeonju. 

We went to a place where we made one of famous liquor in Korea which is Makkoli (I am really not sure how to spell it). It was really interesting and I got one bottle if it ^^. Makkoli has a low percentage of alcohol but then they said if you keep it for a long time, the percentage of alcohol will increase. And I just knew that you do not want to fill alcohol inside a bottle full, because alcohol needs to breath lol. but really, do not fill it full.

After from Makkoli Museum, then we went to Hanok where we would spend one night, a.k.a our shelter. Korea tradition is to separate male and female to different houses. So, for male students, we spent one night in a house called 양사재 [YangSaJe] and in that house our room has a floor with heating system called Ondol. How cool is that?!? really relaxing and comfortable.

Nope, the day had not ended yet, next is Bibimbap ala Jeonju. I can not comment on this since I am not a big fans of Vegetable, but for your information, Bibimpab is a Korea cuisine which consist of rice, meat, egg, and veggie mixed together. What makes Jeonju Bibimbap special are because long time ago the King only ate Bibimbap from Jeonju and it uses beef instead of pork. hmm yummy -- not for me though ^^.

After Bibimbap, we had some games followed by a cake hahah pretty interesting and fun, I did not take any picture though because it was so fun^^. While eating a very delicious chocolate cake, we were spoiled by a very nice Bansuri, music performance, special in Korea. It was really beautiful. They used traditional instrument and the last performance they used modern instrument. Both of them were awesome.  Always interesting!! 

This performance reminded me of Gamelan performance from Indonesia which I watched when I was in the US. Emm Bansuri did not do any dance though, unlike Gamelan performance which sometimes accompanied by some dances.

Pictures by Isna Ahmad

The next day -- We had this small trip around the village of Hanok. First, we went to a palace. The guide said a lot of things. I caught some interesting things. Why the entrance is on the east side? because it is like the sun which rise on the east side which is good thing (I have no idea what am I writing, but it is good thing anyway). Dragon on clothes means the person who wears it is a King. If the dragon on that clothes has 5 toes it means he is a great King or the highest level of King. Turtle on statue means long live. Bamboo could be a weapon (like bambu runcing in Indonesia). And if you happen to see statue with two lions with it, you can recognize which one is female which one is a male by looking on their mouth. Female lion usually is the silent one.

Next destination is Hanji Traditional Paper Center, where they produce pure Korea paper or Hanji. The material is from tree called 닥나무 [TakNaMu]. The paper is very difficult to tear and it is also used as the material to make paper clothes for funeral. The process seemed to not really difficult, but I think it needs experience. First they pour the liquid material to the printing block and then they cut it with a blue string. The wet paper then are dried in a flat metal board. It looks thin but it is actually a very strong paper.

After learning how to make Hanji, we learnt how to use Hanji to decorate our fan ^^. Unfortunately, I am NOT an artist at all hahahah I think mine was the worst among the WSK students (ㅡㅡ;) sigh.

And that is the end of the story. From what I have learnt, I think WSK wants to show us the balance of Korea. Gunsan is where we can see the modern side of Korea. And not far from Gunsan, Jeonju provides us with the traditional side of Korea. Both of them are impressive. We ate Bibimbap again before going back to home sweet home.

-- Thanks WSK, can't wait for the next camp on August ^^;

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