By Julius John LWENJE (2011, MPP, Tanzania)

On the 13 May about 64 KDI students left the campus for the Field Trip. Indeed the trip came at the right time as its coinciding with the holiday attracted many students who had not travelled to participate. As there were no academic deadlines to be met, everyone was totally relaxed. From the angle of the back seat in the bus, coded bus B, that was shuttling us to our destinations, I had a clear view of most students aboard. I could see those making funny gestures, chatting, and chuckling. For sure the atmosphere was very appealing. There is no doubt that the same atmosphere prevailed in the bus coded A.

Few minutes after we had started the journey, a voice was heard from the front of the bus…..this trip is going to expose you to the essence of Korean culture….I hope you will enjoy the trip. The final words of the Administration Staff were interrupted by the undefined applause of enthusiastic students.

Blue House was our first station. On arriving, we underwent security checkups before we were led to the entrance where we were received by the security guards who were in their blue tidy uniforms adorned with glittering insignias that made them even more admirable. Indeed, their commitment to the noble job they are doing could be clearly seen in their faces. We were then led to the reception in which we were given brief details about the Blue House. The oral briefing was followed by a short movie depicting President Lee Myung- bak’ life in the Blue House. The movie ended with welcoming words from The President and his wife.

We were then ushered inside the Blue House compound by security guards who would accompany us throughout our tour in the compound. The Blue House is located in the flanks of Mt. Book-ahk. It takes its name after the blue roof of the main buildings whose traditional Korean architectural design clearly demonstrates the Korean eternal culture. The greenish environment, the stream that provide shelter for fishes of varying colours, plus the species of beautiful flours that dominate most parts of the compound qualifies the Blue House to be one of the tourist attractions in Seoul. By the time we vacated the compound many students were still thirsty for taking more and more pictures inside the compound.

We were later on taken for lunch at a Pizzeria in Myeongdong area where we enjoyed eating tasty pizzas before leading to Chongdong Theatre around City Hall area. While waiting for the performance scheduled time, we were unguided visited some other attractions that are in the vicinity of the Theatre. These attractions included; Chongdon Church which is the first church to be built in Korea; Bae- Jae School’s History Museum which offers the experience of ancient schools in Korea; Deoksu Palace; and  Seoul Museum of Art in  which many beautiful and imaginative paintings each carrying a different shape and theme were on exhibition.       

Inside Chongdong Theatre it was totally another world. It was well designed to capture the ancient Korea. The performance started as was scheduled. The combination of sweet melody from traditional instruments, outstanding skilful performers and the story that was being performed made the joyous spectators to constantly applause in satisfaction as they glued their eyes on the ever cheerful performers in disbelief. The one hour and twenty minutes that we spent in the theatre passed very fast. By the time we started off to our domicile, we had indeed enjoyed the essence of Korean culture.