Caring About Dokdo

Some have said that no one in the world would give a crap about Dokdo and the dispute Korea and Japan have over these tiny islets in the sea.

Well I guess we don't have to care about the rocks themselves, instead let's focus on the dispute.

Following MISSISSIPPI to KOREA's blog post about this issue mentioned in the Boston Glob, I came across a thoughtful remark left by "PN" in the commentary.

There is an interesting disconnect between how East and West view Japan. Westerners think of Japan as a modern, polite and peaceful nation. A land of smiling faces and cute cartoon characters.

In Asia Japan is more noted for its fascist, imperialist past - a nation that killed tens of millions of innocent civilians, forced hundreds of thousands of girls and women into sexual slavery, and conducted medical experiments on live human subjects. Millions of people who suffered under Imperial Japan are still alive today.

Imperial Japan, in many ways, was much worse than Nazi Germany.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes
This history is common knowledge to any school age kid in China and Korea, but is swept under the rug by the Japanese education system. The US education system isn't much better in this regard.

Japanese territorial aggression goes back way farther than WWII. It's a centuries old story for Japan to claim land that does not belong to her.

I see a lot of people wondering what all the fuss is about. This conflict is not just about two little rocks in the middle of the sea. An issue like Dokdo will only make sense when put into proper historical context.

A great point was made in this quote, which is that the citizens of Eastern Asia have an internally historical relationship with Japan. If you grew up in a nation that had been raped and ravished by another nation, than you might too feel a little sting underneath your grin. And I think the same would go for the citizens of Japan, although I have no clue, that they might feel a bit of pain for the context of their history.

Ah well, who knows if this issue will some day be put to rest. For now it will always make for great topics to discuss and I guess make fun of.

In the meantime please enjoy these photos of a Dokdo Documentary DVD I found at the Kyobo bookstore in Gwanghwamun.
I didn't purchase this oh so collectible item (on a budget lately) but if I did I think it would look something like this:

Sorry, Dokdo Korean Documentary Trailer - Free videos are just a click away

The awareness campaign for Dokdo here in Korea spreads to T-shirts, hats, pencil cases, notebooks and so on. A spectacle, really.

Pilgrimage to Japan

When I was 17 years old I discovered the wonderful world of Anime and Manga. Let me say that I was an obsessed fan till the age of 24. I am still a great fan but not as obsessed with it.

During my time as a fan I made it a point to not just watch and read this stuff but understand the culture from which it came from. For me Anime was the gateway for my whole-hearted interest in Asia. I think for most Americans or other Western folk, especially those who live in rural areas, Anime is a way for us to see that there is a bigger world out there.

I think every Anime fan dreams of going to Japan, as if it were some kind of pilgrimage.

So it is with much anticipated excitement that I tell you that I am going to Japan next week!

Sure I could have gone to the sunny relaxing beaches of Thailand, but as I was thinking this in the back of my mind I couldn't help but feel I was missing out on going to Japan.

Anyways here for you is my itinerary and trip goals:

Itinerary:

• Travel dates are 1/20-1/24 (4 nights and 5 days)
• Staying in Tokyo
• Flying there

Hotel:
We really have to thank BK here because he helped me so much with getting a plane and hotel deal. And the total price was below 1 million won or $1,000 USD.

The hotel he booked is the Comfort Hotel Tokyo Higashi Nihombashi. For more detailed pictures of the interior check out this Korean website version.

Not too fancy but not too dirt cheap love-motel like.

Trip Goal / Studio Ghibli Museum:
If you have not seen the movie Princess Mononoke or any other Miyazaki film, then you need to wake up out of your cave and rent, download, buy, steal or otherwise just see one of them.

With that said I may no longer follow the Anime movement but I will always be a devoted Miyazaki fan. And therefore I must make a pilgrimage over to his Studio Ghibli Museum.

Since this place is one-of-a-kind that means that it is very popular. So the museum only sells tickets in advance and from places outside the museum.

• Purchased inside your country. (I tried to get one through a Korean company here but apparently they are only sold to Korean nationals.)
• Purchased via a kiosk inside a LAWSON convenient store in Japan.

I am going to have to go with the second option. After I arrive in Japan I am going to hunt down one of these convenient stores and try my best to get a ticket out of them. I am hoping that the store clerk will have enough courtesy to help a devoted crazed fan like me.

If I fail to get a ticket or they are all sold out, I think I will still just go to the museum and take a look at its exterior.

Planning:
Wow! I have less than a week to get ready to fly over to Japan. What the heck do I need? Yep, here is the list:

• Re-entry permit from Korean immigration. I need this in order to leave Korea and come back without any hitches.
• Printing... maps, Studio Ghibli ticket info and other internet website info. I will go to a PC Bang to print this stuff or BK will print it.
  
• Pay for the flight and hotel...transfer money to another bank account.
• Pack!....of course not till later
• Check out other places to go in Tokyo and surrounding area.
  
• Get accustomed to Japan's subway system.
  
• Exchange Won for the Japanese Yen. (Time to empty the bank account!)
• Calm down from being so excited.
• Thank BK a lot.

To help me on my journey I stopped by Kyobo bookstore (large bookstore here, has a big English language section. The Gangnam location is better.) yesterday evening and picked up some travel books.Okay well that is all I can think of mentioning about this new development in my life. I have to say I am overwhelmed with glee!

I should also mention that BK is taking me to a spa this weekend so I get to relax a bit before I head off traveling.

Thank you so much baby!!

Love comes a knocking: Part II

Sunday is always that day where you get to relax and not have to work, but know the next day is the start of another work week. So sometimes you can feel excited for the day but also know that it will end and work will begin just around the corner. On this Sunday my plans were to go to Emart, get my usual groceries and then meet up with BK later. However, BK met me at the Emart and helped me shop and then we went out.

(Shot of Emart)

(Square seats you can't really sit on outside Emart)

Having BK there meant an extra pair of arms to carry my crap home, so I invested in an frying pan, cutting board and few more extra items. After Emart we got my stuff home and ate a little lunch. Then it was off to Kyobo bookstore and Gwanghwamun palace area.

A few pics on our way:A ride in the elevator in my building.

Fresh Seafood:
Octopus in its tank outside a restaurant near my home, which will let you chose which animal you want to eat.

Although somewhat tired I was pleased to be getting out of the house and seeing areas of Seoul, otherwise not traveled. Follow the purple line (5) from Gil-dong (on the right area of map) to the stop Gwanghwamun. (To see the picture better just click on it*)

The train ride took about 30-40 minutes, which allows enough time to converse about life here in Seoul

Kyobo bookstore was a very large bookstore, that has within it books in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English. We went to the English section in search of some textbook quality Learn Korean Books. I took a few snapshots of the books I was interested in, apparently you can buy them off the website's online store and get a discount. I liked this book because, inside the layout is like you are in a classroom, with drilling and tests. It is only 15,000 won, so not that bad considering it also comes with a CD. Other books I found were more about Korean culture, but some of which were a little too tourist-y for my blood. It would be great to get my hands on a book that details Korea's fauna and flora background as well as its geological history. Ah well, maybe someday (hmm perhaps the Internet will prove to be worthwhile for this cause).

We were running on a clock so with just a few more hours before BK needed to visit friends for a game of basketball, so we were off to the Gwanghwamun gate and palace area.

This area of Seoul is where most of the large beef protesting has been going on, so along the streets were police buses and policemen. Yet no riot was occuring and I found the neighborhood to actual feel pretty peaceful. The site before us, however was even more breathtaking. Take a look: The gate is under repair so instead they built this very artful wall around the construction. I hope during my stay that the repair finishes and I can visit it again. That figure in the picture who is all in black, was one of the police officers.

Hi! My favorite part of this area is seeing a closer glimpse of the geology on the mountains in the background. I really hope to get out of the streets and onto the Mountain trails.

Before we made behind the gate and into the palace area, I was famished and thirsty so we stopped for a sandwich and water. Recharged we walked across the street to the palace grounds.

On our way we passed through a little courtyard that was well landscaped and designed.
When we got to the palace area it felt like I was walking into my Korean Art History textbook and seeing it all come alive. The position of the buildings and their location near the mountains was all planned to face in a certain direction of each other. You could definitely feel this sense of planning of this site that the people of Korea about 800 years ago chose as specific to what would bring them safety and also luck. But how about you just see for yourself. The colors were so vibrant, and lovely. I now really want to buy that book that discusses the symbols that overlay these wooden architectures. To go deeper inside you had to have bought a ticket, but we were running out of time so I was only allowed a taste of this historical site. That's okay, because next time I can skip being awestruck and take more time exploring the inner areas of this site. A lovely mountainous picture: Can you see the temple on top of the mountain? I really want to go see it! I also really enjoyed walking on the dirt path you see in front you. It felt extremely reassuring and exhilarating to see dirt (soil), considering most of Seoul is paved over. Ah more geological enthusiasm, pardon me.

This ends my Sunday trip with BK, which was very lovely and pleasant. I look forward to my future trips and days where I don't go anywhere too. :)