You will never find new horizons without losing sight of the shore.

After graduating from college, forced to accept life in the "real world", I instead decided to find a job abroad. That lead me here, to South Korea, where I teach English at a private language academy, or hagwon.

I live in Daejeon, a small city smack dab between Seoul and Busan, Korea's most famous cities.

Photos

Check out my photos from my travels to coastal cities, mountains, and my daily life in Korea.

Weekend Travel Desintations....

Where I've been and where I'd like to go, and why

Day Trips from Daejeon

Gongju - Oct 2, 09

Gongju was once the capital of the Baekje Kingdom, a small but prosperous kingdom during Korea's three kingdoms period. Gongju has a beautiful, ancient fortress and gate, along with a vibrant market and a delightful small-city feel.

Located about 30 minutes west of Daejeon; accessible by bus from Yuseong and Daejeon terminals. Buses run every 10 minutes.

Magoksa Temple, around Gongju - Feb 21, 09

Magoksa is an exceptional temple in this area, not because of spectacular architecture, but because it has not been renovated, moved, or significantly uprooted in the past several hundred years. Also, the monks are ridiculously friendly and will force you to eat with them if you're not careful. This day trip was well worth it (and the bus ride there was probably the closest thing to a rollercoaster I've been on since middle school.)

30 minute ride on a local city bus, local bus terminal has posted times and numbers, bus runs about every hour/hour-half, Magoksa is the very last stop (bus schedules written only in hangeul)

Buyeo - Feb 15, 10

Another capital of the Baekje Kingdom, Buyeo is where the kingdom fell. It has another gorgeous fortress, though it is mostly for hiking and walking value. Supposedly when the fortress fell, more than 3,000 women threw themselves from the highest rock into the river, a famous historical story in Korea. The buildings here have all been reconstructed or built in the last century. The city hosts a very ancient Buddha statue whose age gives him a very eerie look. Worth it, though a little frightening.

Buses connect from Gongju every twenty minutes or so. The city is small and you can walk everywhere, if you want to.

Songnisan National Park - Feb 14, 10

This is a beautiful park, host to Beopjusa Temple, where there is a 33m Bronze Buddha. In the winter months the hiking is also reportedly good.

Bus available from Deobu Bus Terminal in Daejeon.Bus comes every 1~2 hours. Last bus back to Daejeon is 7ish.

Seoul

Seoul is very easily accessible from Daejeon. Most people, including me, go up frequently. I don't need to tell you what all there is to see there, but some things include the amazing Namdaemun Market, the beautiful palaces of ancient days, and the exciting club scene. From Daejeon, trains leave from the KTX station every 10-20 minutes and take 50 minutes. Buses from Yuseong take about two hours in good traffic, but for those on the Noeun side of the city, it makes more sense.