Name: Nguyen Thi Minh Hue
Affiliation: Department of Climate Change (DCC), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Vietnam
Journal Title: A Memorable Sunday
Date: 07 August 2022
 


As of today, we went through 2/3 of the journey in the 2022 UNFCCC-GIR-CASTT program in 2022. Since it was a weekend, we planned to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace - the palace is considered the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
We meet at 9.30 in the hotel lobby and then take the subway together. 
The palace is about 3km from the hotel. After getting off the subway, the first thing we did was go to a shop to rent hanbok to wear. This is Korean traditional dress. Inside the shop, there are many costumes with traditional and theme styles. I choose for myself a red dress with the hope that everything will be lucky and good.


Photo 1: Gatekeepers at the Gyeongbokgung Palace

Luckily, as soon as we entered the palace, we were able to watch the changing of the guards. These scenes I have been shared by friends before coming here, but when I see them in person, I find it much more interesting.



Photo 2: The parade at the Gyeongbokgung Palace



Photo 3: At the gate of the Palace

After that, we took some pictures together at the palace gate to capture the memorable moments. We each come from different countries around the world, but thanks to the program, we can meet and learn about the culture of the land of kimchi.



Photo 4: Group photo at Sujeongjeon


Photo 5: Group photo at Sujeongjeon

We continue to go inside. The scene appeared beautiful with a two-story wooden house, surrounded by a lake. It is Gyeonghoeru. This is the most beautiful place in this palace and is a hall used to hold important and special state banquets. We walked around the lake and took a lot of beautiful photos.



Photo 6: A photo named “We love Korea”



Photo 7: Gyeonghoeru

By 1:30 p.m, we went to a restaurent, had lunch with Naju Beef-born soup.
Beef is my favourite food. I enjoyed the sweet taste of beef in soup. So I had Ggaebi Bulgogi for dinner.



Photo 8: Ggaebi Bulgogi

It is my day. We had a great Sunday, a day of experience, discovery and friendship.



Coordinator's comments:
Photos show that the weather on this Sunday was not bad with clouds that prevented strong sunlight and no rain. Since we were in the middle of the hottest season in Korea, I am pretty sure that this Sunday was a perfect day to visit the Palace.
I have to say that every photo in which you and fellow trainees are smiling is my favorites. From such lively photos, I could feel great excitement of everyone. I just couldn't help laughing so cheerfully when I saw the photo taken by Sybastian and all the girls behind him. And those girls-only photos in which everyone is beautifully wearing Hanbok and doing the "Ganggangsullae" (Korea's traditional Women's Circle Dance which is enjoyed by Korean women under the moonlight) are truly adorable. This scene of everyone dancing Ganggangsullae is just like a painting of young girls in Joseon Dynasty! 
But I have to admit that, as being Korean, it is unavoidable for me to fall in love with the photo named "We love Korea". Wonderful scenary of the banquet hall and garden, but most of all, you guys look categorically stunning - most certainly it must be included in top 10 best photos of all time. 
Thank you for sharing such valuable and joyful memories of yours with us, Thi Minh. It was truly amazing to know that you had another delighful day in Korea.