We had a very quick 2 hour train journey to Gyeon-gu with the autumn colurs starting to make their mark. We were so surprised to find this place so westernised. Not a small country town at all. It has a mixture of Korean , Japanese and Western restaurants and clothing. We found a fantastic little coffee shop that the owner opened after travelling to Australia. He served us coffee and proceeded to sit and sing folk songs that I think he thought we would like. He sang Rainbow Connection.That song was made famous by Kermit the Frog from the Muppets. Except he kept singing Lainbow Collection as he found it impossible to pronounce the R. Sorry you had to be there. We sat having our coffee opposite an historical burial site. The huge mound of grassed dirt once held the remains of a Silla King from the Three Kings era 262-284. Kings and queens were both buried this way along with all the goods and chattels that one would need in the after- life. The largest mound is 23 metres in height, 123m long and 80 ms wide.They have only excavated a few when the Japanese occupied Korea. The others can't easily be excavated as it would be noticeable due to the fact they are huge mounds of dirt and someone would notice if you dug a hole or removed the dirt. The town itself is in fact a huge cemetery... very easy to stroll around but remember where you are staying if you go out at night..say no more. It is so colourful here at night as it in all the towns and cities. Neon is the word. That night was the best display yet. Tomorrow we are going to meet Shon's mother and sister and her friend who is fluent in English.
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