Dave Gilbert | 
11 29th, 2005| 
So wow, I’ve royally been slacking on this blog. Thanksgiving came and went with barely a murmer. I almost missed it. It was very easy to forget about it since I wasn’t exposed to the usual mass media marketing campaigns that force the holiday down my throat. In any case, my fellow westerners and I celebrated by going to TGI Fridays. Yes, I know that sounds strange but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
And for those of you who have asked – yes, the little girl I wrote about two updates ago is fine. She came to class the next day bright and bubbly as per usual. She hasn’t insulted me yet, but I’m sure she’s just biding her time.
Anyway, two weeks ago I went to Lotte World. Since I moved here, I have been hearing about this mythical place. It’s an indoor theme park, full of everything you can imagine. Think of a miniature Disneyworld tucked away inside a massive MASSIVE structure, fully protected from the elements. I haven’t been to a theme park in years, and when a local Korean friend asked me to go (and could get us in for free I eagerly jumped at the chance.
So we went. My friend met me at the subway station and whisked me away into this strange place the Koreans call Lotte World. The first thing we encountered was a massive ice rink, where amateur skaters froliced about. It wasn’t long before the skaters were cleared out and a marching band two-stepped their way onto the ice, blaring out beautiful christmas songs on their brass instruments. I was impressed that they could walk on the ice so easily.
Leaving the ice rink area we encountered a massive number of shops and restaurants. I had assumed that this shopping area was the Lotte World of story and song, but I was mistaken. My friend took me through a turnstyle, and every preconceived notion I had about time and space was henceforth eradicated.
This wasn’t a theme park. This was the frigging TARDIS.
Lotte World is the brainchild of a architectual genius. Using clever lighting and a domed ceiling, the building manages to convey a sense of being outdoors without you actually being outdoors. A good thing, too, since it was frigidly freezing outside. Often I would look up, and be surprised to see a ceiling up there. The designers really did their jobs well. One thing that I was really impressed with was how the lighting would subtley change throughout the day to mimick the movement of the sun. Clever clever.
Anyway, as a theme park Lotte World was pretty much what you’d expect. We went on a flume ride, a freefall ride, a couple of roller coasters and saw a performance-art show. At one point, we even ventured outside to try the “Atlantis” ride, something that was highly recommended by everyone. It was a whizzing, spinning, scream-inducing experience, and it was well worth the 45 minute wait in the freezing cold.
The place even has a rather large Folk Museum, which showed off Korea’s varied past. They had many pieces from the three kingdoms of Korea on display, and we were also able to walk through a miniature ancient village.
The day past quickly, and as late evening came we decided to take a stroll around Jamsil Lake. Jamsil is an artificial lake, and like most things artificial it was specifically designed to look perfect. And it was. A perfect end to a very fun day.
Anyway, I can babble on about Lotte World, but I’m sure you’d rather see pictures and video clips of it right? My mother used another net-word the other day: “phlog”, which is supposed to mean “photo log.” I have no idea if this word actually exists or not, but in any case you can click HERE TO VIEW THE PHLOG. Enjoy.
