Past Times.

Visited the Royal Tombs today, then afterwards walked through Seoul's National Cemetery. Burial traditions and rituals are fascinating to me. I've also always been slightly curious about dead things, including people, animals... anything that can die I guess. It's not weird. At a cemetery, it's the only place you can be surrounded by hundreds, sometimes thousands of people, and not have to push, shove, or elbow your way around. I think about the people, the faces, the stories, the secrets...all these things I'll never know and the mystery of it all just drives me nuts. I truly believe cemeteries are some of the most beautiful, peaceful places to be. For the rest of you that think cemeteries are eerie and scary, stop watching television.

This is from the top of a hill at the Royal Tombs. All this history, in the midst of a bustling city.

Who doesn't love a path in the woods

Statues to honor the kings at the burial sites.

Looking out the window of a burial ceremony room.

The front entrance of Seoul National Cemetery

Buried standing up, facing the mountains. I read it is traditional custom to burn the immediate clothing worn by the deceased at the grave site. Then a series of bowing and wailing are performed to ward off spirits that might harm the one of who has just past.

Offering to those who fought for Korea's liberation.

Spanning 343 acres and holding over 160,000 soldiers and honorable Korean heroes.

The ceiling of the Unknown Memorial. About 104,000 headstone tablets enshrined inside the monument to honor the soldiers that couldn't be found, along with 6,000 jars containing ashes of the unkown lost in battle.

Seeing so many graves makes a number become more than just that. The Koreans have done such a beautiful job in honoring those lost in the war. Althought it might not be the most pleasant thing to do in Seoul, I think more foreigners should take advantage of the history around them, instead of the cheap beer and food.

Until next time...

C