Picturing Mom and Dad

The early stages of photography in Korea.

Cocktails and House of Bols

In Seoul, a street vendor serves up cocktails
on Insadong Street.



Set amid his offerings, Bols Blue.
  A taste of Amsterdam in Seoul is good, but not quite the
same as being there.
If ever in Amsterdam and grown weary of staring down
priceless van Goghs and Rembrandts,
and feel in need of a different type of inspiration,
pop into the House of Bols on the Museumplein square
to witness artistry in motion
as bartenders prance and perform as they mix and shake
an array of dazzling, colorful cocktails.

Columbine

A columbine bloom in Seoul this week.

To Bite or Not To Bite

In an Insadong alleyway in Seoul, it is correctly noted
on a label affixed to its forehead
that this Pomeranian does not bite...

...but according to a placard mounted on a red Volkswagen Beetle parked
alongside a nearby Bukchon neighborhood restaurant,
the tteokbokki served therein does.  It's a fair warning.  Korean cuisine
often packs a considerable degree of heat.

Prime Minister's Residence

Beyond this guarded gate in the Jongno district of Seoul is the official
residence of the Prime Minister of South Korea.
The Prime Minister is appointed by and serves under the democratically
elected President, and is first in line of succession should the
President be unable to discharge the duties of the office.

Insadong Rain

Saturday afternoon's rainfall did not deter pedestrian
traffic along Insadong Street in Seoul.
The street is noted for Korean traditional culture, and is home
to art galleries, teahouses, and craft shops.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Looking in from left-center field toward home plate
at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul
on Thursday evening as the Samsung Lions
took on the Doosan Bears
in Korea Baseball Organization professional league play.

A Samsung Lions fan beating noisemakers to rally
the team.  It didn't work.
The Bears shut out the Lions, 7-0, snapping
Samsung's eight game winning streak.