“Rachel! We will have American-style barbecue tonight! I hope you’re hungry.”
Those were the words I heard 30 minutes after eating my weight in EVERYTHING at an amazing Korean buffet in Haeundae.

Social gatherings in Korea usually revolve around food, and it’s usually communal, especially at staff dinners. This is made more dangerous at a buffet, because there’s usually a line of plates that accumulates in the middle of the table stacked high with meats, desserts, rice, veggies, and anything else you might want. And it’s shared with everyone. “Try this” is more of a demand than an option.

That’s an especially deadly combination for me, because I’m not too picky and don’t discriminate when it comes to trying new things. A few of the other teachers at my school told me that I’m a good eater and that they were impressed. In hindsight, it probably meant “your food isn’t running away, slow your roll”.
I go to a buffet to eat, not to play games.

“Rachel Teacher! For lunch we will have ox blood soup! Have you had it?”
Okay, maybe I discriminate a little. I did try the soup, so that counts for something, right?

Our trip took us from Busan to Changnyeong. The first day of the workshop was an unending supply of delicious things (buffet and bbq) and adorable team-building games. The second day was a nice relaxing day of huge breakfast(s), swamp strolls, and historical sites.

Day 1:

Day 2:

We went to Upo Wetlands first, which was a nice wildlife refuge that reminded me of some of the swamps I grew up around in Louisiana. There’s a shelter/lookout point on the highest hill  where you can use binoculars and read about the wildlife and plants that call the park home. Warning: there’s no AC in the building, so enter at your own risk.

Next, we went to the Changnyeong museum and burial mounds. The museum was nice, and contained a decent collection of odds and ends from the prehistoric era to the Gaya period. The mounds were very earthy and very round.

The most notable part of the trip was our visit to Gwallyongsa Temple (관룡사). It’s a gorgeous temple situated pretty high in the mountains on the outskirts of Changnyeoung. The site itself is said to have been established as a temple around 1700 years ago. Gwallyongsa literally means dragon sighting, and comes from a story about the first monk who made a pilgrimage to the site. Legend has it that the monk saw a dragon (some sources say multiple dragons; let’s not get too crazy) fly out of a pond that is close to the temple. The site also houses a few national treasures, all of which are monitored by guards, 24/7. There’s also a monk on site who speaks amazing English who is eager to give English tours to anyone who wants one. Take the tour. Live a little.
Gwallyongsa is honestly one of my favorite historical sites I’ve visited so far here in Korea. It’s definitely worthy of a spot on your to-visit list.