Photo taken from : enewsworld.mnet.com

Petit France, meaning ‘small France’, reminds visitors of a small village located on the shoreline of the Mediterranean. To enter the village, visitors have to pass through a grand entrance that looks like a castle gate. Soon, an outdoor stage is reached, where various performances are held, and soon after the Check-in House appears. At the Check-in House, a room can be rented, a multi-purpose hall, or a seminar room or one can simply gather information on the nearby tourist attractions or water sports facilities. Behind the Check-in House is a French bistro offering simple French dishes.

The Housing Pavilion is a real 150 – 200 year old French house. This old house was moved to Petit France from France itself. From the ceiling, ridgepoles, and window frames to the furniture inside the pavilion, visitors are presented with authentic French housing culture.

Petit France has reproduced the traditional styles of European housing. Visitors will find it easy to relax here and experience the lifestyle of the French.

Directions :

Photo credit : k7788.co.kr

616 Goseong-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Take a bus for Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal from either Dongseoul Bus Terminal or Sangbong Intercity Bus Terminal. Then take a shuttle bus from Cheongpyeong Station.

Credits : seoul.go.kr

Photo credit : Hermann Maier Neustadt, Germany, aziz-m on flickr.

Built around a swimming pool that uses clean water sourced from the valleys of Gwanaksan and Samseongsan Mountains. The Park is fully equipped with a variety of recreational facilities such as an artificial waterfall; open-air stage; exhibition hall; square; walking path; and a lighting facility. With limpid waters flowing through the nearby valley and lush forested surroundings, the park is an easily accessible resting place near the Seoul metro area.

Photo credit : http://cafe409.daum.net

Directions :

Take subway line 1 to Gwanak Station exit#2, catch bus 1, 51, 5624, 5625, 5626, 5530 or 5713, get off at the Anyang Art Park intersection and walk for five minutes or walk to the park approx in 10 minutes.

Reference :  visitkorea.or.kr

Kimchicrew Language Exchange (언어교환)

Do you want to Learn Korean, English or Other Languages?

Time: Saturday 4pm
Location: Mind body seoul
1F, 732-15, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Itaewon (이태원) exit #3, go up to the Itaewon Land Sauna steps and turn left and go straight for 50m
http://wellbeingstudio.com/wellbeingstudiomap/14735
Cost: Free 20,000won (One year fee).

Please RSVP for this group study since there are only limited number of seating.
Your can reserve your seat by sending me a message through FB, e-mail, phone call or text.

Peter (010-8978-1984) kimchicrew@gmail.com
유경미 (010-5016-9533) itislove2222@nate.com

* Language Exchange Meeting (입회비 이만원-1년 회원권)
- 모임명 : Language exchange meeting (언어교환 모임)
- 시 간 : 매주 토요일 4pm
- 장 소 : Mind body seoul
서울시 용산구 한남동 732-15 1층 우140-895
(이태원 3번 출구 200m 직진 후 이태원랜드 찜질방 계단을 올라와 좌측으로 직진 50m)
http://wellbeingstudio.com/wellbeingstudiomap/14735

PS. We need helper. Please contact us if you would like to help out with the language exchange or the events.

Gift giving culture in Korea has some etiquette that you need to know:

1) Two hands

When giving and receiving gifts, you should use two hands, especially to seniors and those whom you do not know well.

2) Do not open

You should not open a gift in front of the giver, to avoid embarrassment of the giver by the reaction of the receiver. It is consider rude, unless the recipient was allowed to do so. If you are giving a gift, be sure to wrap your gift, and you may consider leaving it somewhere for the recipient to find it later.

3) Don’t go empty-handed

When visiting a home, it’s always a good idea to bring a gift (bottle of wine, some fruits or dessert). If you are an international visitor, a product from your homeland might be a good ideal.

4) Don’t overdo it

Gifts should look nice and good in quality, but not excessively expensive. It may cause burden to the receiver as he/she might feel expected to reciprocate with an equally expensive gift.

5) Cash in an envelope

In occasions such as wedding or funeral, when you are giving cash as a gift, put the money in an white envelope. Do not just hand over the cash, it  is rude.

6) Reciprocate

As mentioned above, when a Korean receives a gift, he/she will be expected to return the favor with a gift of similar value at some later date. Likewise if you receive a gift, to be polite, reciprocate with gift of similar value.

7) Housewarming

When attending a housewarming party, bring a box of laundry detergent. It is not only practical, but carries with the meaning of cleanliness and prosperity. Other non-perishable yet practical gifts will also do, for example, toilet paper…

8) Do not expect letters of thanks

In some cultures (especially in the West), consider proper to give a note of thanks when receiving a gift. If you did not receive a note of thanks from your Korean friends, it’s not that they don’t like your gift, just because Korean do not have this practice in their culture.

Source of reference: SEOUL December 2011, iss. 101, p.27.

- 크리스티 ✿

Kimchicrew Language Exchange (언어교환)

Do you want to Learn Korean, English or Other Languages?

Time: Saturday 4pm
Location: Mind body seoul
1F, 732-15, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Itaewon (이태원) exit #3, go up to the Itaewon Land Sauna steps and turn left and go straight for 50m
http://wellbeingstudio.com/wellbeingstudiomap/14735
Cost: Free 20,000won (One year fee).

Please RSVP for this group study since there are only limited number of seating.
Your can reserve your seat by sending me a message through FB, e-mail, phone call or text.

Peter (010-8978-1984) kimchicrew@gmail.com
유경미 (010-5016-9533) itislove2222@nate.com

* Language Exchange Meeting (입회비 이만원-1년 회원권)
- 모임명 : Language exchange meeting (언어교환 모임)
- 시 간 : 매주 토요일 4pm
- 장 소 : Mind body seoul
서울시 용산구 한남동 732-15 1층 우140-895
(이태원 3번 출구 200m 직진 후 이태원랜드 찜질방 계단을 올라와 좌측으로 직진 50m)
http://wellbeingstudio.com/wellbeingstudiomap/14735

PS. We need helper. Please contact us if you would like to help out with the language exchange or the events.

Picture credit : marimari.com

From the 6th century, when Silla proclaimed a detailed system of law, its politics and social status were founded on Buddhism, and the systematic succession of an ancient kingdom was achieved. In addition, Silla accomplished the unification of three kingdoms by strengthening its national power based on the production of iron. Wooden chamber tombs with a stone mound, Buddhism, and gold crowns symbolize Silla culture, and many different excavated artifacts such as drinking glasses show the international character of Silla culture.

Discribed once as “a country with striking gold and silver artifacts,” Silla was a kingdom with a splendid gold culture. This gold crown was excavated from the North tomb of Hwangnamdaechong in Gyeongju (the capital of the Silla Kingdom) and is the most representative Silla gold artifact.

Photo credit :  Petnehazi.Anita in Picasa

Hwangnamdaechong is the largest tomb made during the Silla dynasty. The tomb is a double-mound for a Silla king and queen, and is shaped like a gourd. In the North tomb, more ornaments including a silver belt ornament with an inscription of ‘Buindae (the meaning of Madame’s belt)’ were found than in the South tomb. In this sense, this North tomb can be presumed to have belonged to a woman. A gold crown indicates the owner’s political and social class.

Photo credit : queenseonduk.wikia.com

The gold crown has three tree-like prongs (interpreted as the Chinese character for “mountain”) and two antler-like prongs. Silla gold crowns are very similar to a Siberian shaman’s crown in shape. For this reason, based on the gold crown as well as the wooden chamber tombs with a stone mound, it is assumed that the ruling class at that time came from the northern region.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHROEUuWQUw

There are various type of Silla crowns and they are already designated in National treasures of South Korea. The crowns are very fragile with more than one kilogram weight.

References :

National Museum of Korea

Video credit on youtube : Shilla relic!Korea Culture!新羅신라문화유물!Beautiful korea uploaded by sungchur

King Sejong the great was the third son of King Taejong and queen Wonkyong. He was the fourth king in Jeoseon Dynasty. He invented Hangul, the Korean alphabet during his reigned in year 1418 – 1450. He also improved the Korean agriculture system and another useful tools such as water clock named Chogyonguu, Korean sundial named Angbuilgwi and a rain gauge named Cheugugi. King Sejong The Great were also expert in music, art and dance. He set up the Guanseupdogam the place where teached Korean music and Chinese music.

5/19/2012 토요일 언어교환
http://www.facebook.com/events/304035613008509
http://cafe.naver.com/seoulexchange
Do you want to Learn Korean English or Other Languages?

Time: Saturday May 19th, 4pm-6pm
Location: Itaewon (이태원) exit #3 http://wellbeingstudio.com/wellbeingstudiomap/14735
Cost: Free
One Year Membership Fee: 20,000won.

Please RSVP for this group study since there are only limited number of seating.
Your can reserve your seat by sending me a message through FB, e-mail, phone call or text.

kimchicrew@gmail.com
010-8978-1984
Peter

There will be a party starting at 7pm.
You can join us for both Language exchange and the party or you can just come to just one event.

PS. We need helper. Please contact us if you would like to help out with the language exchange or the party.

Photo credit : kenh14.vn

Spring will ended soon and here comes summer. There is a summer special drink in Korea named misutgaru. It is made by steaming then roasting grains like beans, barley, glutinous rice, non glutinous rice or barley rice. to make powder that is then drink with added sugar or honey. Misutgaru is also known as a healthy drink for those who want to maintain the body weight because it is very good for diet.

So are you ready for the summer with misutgaru ? ^^