[you can read part 1 here]

Once you pass the Beomjong-gak, you’re in the middle of the compound….and that’s when everything takes on a different feel.

Suddenly you’re no longer just a tourist making your way to see the temple. You’re there – in the midst of it all – the sights & sounds throwing off your since of time.

Is it 2009?…Or is it 1379?…Could this be exactly how it looked over 600 years ago?

Aside from the few other Americans snapping away on their cameras & the one lone car in the back there…it’s easy to forget your place.

Listen for yourself…

Looking up at the roof beams you can feel the weight of this building’s age.

The paint’s faded much more…you can see exposed wood drying & splitting in some spots…but the faint outlines of the geometric shapes are still there.

(I wonder if they’ll repaint it…or leave it as is?…If you were the conservator, what would you do?)

I have no clue what this building is named…or it’s exact purpose….or it’s exact age. It just looks like a large, open prayer hall to me.

As a graphic designer, I’m just amazed by all the lines, the curves…the colors…the designs.

So you’ll see quite a few pictures between now & the end of our tour that focus on those very things.

(My apologies in advance…like I said, I just get caught up in the design of it all.)

The building seemed empty for the moment…although there was a monk here & there walking back & forth.

But look inside…even the ceilings are ellaborately decorated & designed.

When I made my way around to the back side of the building, I spotted him…

…working away.

I think he was scraping paint off the doors.

Maybe they are going to repaint everything afterall.

I just love this shot – I think it’s my favorite so far. But you should’ve seen me trying to take it.

Focus on him…fudge, he sees me…turn away quickly….pretend to look over there…try to sneak back…careful, carefull…now, quick! Re-focus on him…fudge it!

I did this dance about 2 or 3 times before I finally snagged this one.

I just really wanted to catch him in the moment – not some ‘smile-for-the-crazy-American-lady’ posed shot.

I wonder what he must’ve thought of me.

[let's keep moving...read part 3 here]