On Saturday, Rachel and I tried to go to a traditional Korean folk village in Andong, but the weather was terrible so we stayed at a cheap but gorgeous hotel there on Saturday night to give it another try on Sunday. Thankfully the weather was beautiful that day. 
First we visited Andong Dam, which had amazing views of the Nakong River. Then we walked up (almost straight up) through the Andong Folk Village, which often serves as a set for television and movie productions that need a traditional Korean setting, approximately from the early 1700s. It was amazing to see all the structures, especially what would have been considered a kingly dwelling.
Andong is also home to the Shinsae-dong Pagoda, a 7-story brick pagoda, which is the oldest and largest in Korea. This is from the Shilla Dynasty, so that means it was built sometime between 668 and 935.
Then we drove about 30 minutes more to another traditional village in Hahoe (pronounced ha-hway). Amazing wood carvings here, as well as traditional stuctures from the Joseon Dynasty.
Too many pictures and experiences to share, but I will also tell you about the traditional Hahoe Mask Dance performance we attended. Even though it was in Korean, I still found it very funny. It's basically a satire making fun of the different stock types of people in a small village (the busybody, the flirtatious maiden, the drunk guy, etc). When the drunk guy was looking for some people from the audience to come dance with him, I must have looked like a prime choice because I was dragged out there. This is me returning in mild shame from my adventure. They didn't really tell us how they wanted us to dance, so I think I looked like Elaine from Seinfeld dancing, which is far from glamorous.
When we ate dinner afterward, the coordinator for this event told me I was very good. I think he was just being polite.
Too many pictures and experiences to share, but I will also tell you about the traditional Hahoe Mask Dance performance we attended. Even though it was in Korean, I still found it very funny. It's basically a satire making fun of the different stock types of people in a small village (the busybody, the flirtatious maiden, the drunk guy, etc). When the drunk guy was looking for some people from the audience to come dance with him, I must have looked like a prime choice because I was dragged out there. This is me returning in mild shame from my adventure. They didn't really tell us how they wanted us to dance, so I think I looked like Elaine from Seinfeld dancing, which is far from glamorous.When we ate dinner afterward, the coordinator for this event told me I was very good. I think he was just being polite.The drive back to Hayang was beautiful. During that short time period of dusk, all I could see were mountains. On the right they were reflected in the water of a rice paddy, and on the left they were giving off smoke and looking like volcanoes. No picture, but I'm not sure it would have done this view justice anyway.
On getting back to campus, this is my attempt to capture the enchanting little forest near my pond...
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