Saturday, October 24, 2015

Daegu 2010-2015

I have been working on this blog since the summer, but will post in as I am about to leave Daegu. It is a collection of photographs taken in and around Daegu since I moved here. I have tried to capture all aspects of the city, but not from the perspective of a gap year teacher or a university teacher or anything like that, just the city itself. Of course the fact that I lived in west Daegu my whole time here and the fact that I obviously find some things more interesting than others will mean that it isn't perfect, and I am sure some people will think something major is missing. Still, it is what it is. I have not included dates, except the obvious 2010-2015 stated in the title.

Keimyung University in the Spring


Dalseong Park in winter


 
west Daegu on a warm summer afternoon

Keimyung University in the early spring

Apsan, the mountain that dominates southern Daegu

the Buddhist temples always have hundreds of lanterns around 
Buddha's birthday. Disco Buddha has always been 
my favourite.

Reservoir in east Daegu in the autumn

Bullodong, the burial grounds of hundreds of
Shilla dynasty nobility, near Palgongsan in east Daegu.


The Samsung Lions.
Korea Series Champions almost every year from 2010-2015.

Having a late night (or mid afternoon) beer in front of
a GS Mart, Family (CU) Mart, or this Korea Mart.
This winter afternoon may have been too cold for 
even the heartiest drinker.

Getting ready for the IIAF Track and Field Championships.
It isn't the Seoul Olympics or the Busan or Incheon Asian Games,
but it was a neat time to go downtown.

Wolgwang lake and apartments, with Apsan in the background.
A very hot August Afternoon.
Duryu Park

The Giant Buddha Statue dedicated to peace on the Korean
peninsula. Constructed in 1994 it is an amazing thing to see.
Near Donghwasa on Palgongsan.

The statue up close.

Suseong Lake. Couple's flock here to take the boats out on the lake.
May have been a bit windy today.

The apartments that dominate the Daegu skyline in the background.
Restaurants which surround them in the foreground.
Sangin-dong. 

An alley that takes you back to 
another time in Daegu's history.

Downtown from the large stage that serves as the centre
of the downtown area.
Debec Department Store is on the right.

Woobang Tower and E-World amusement park from Duryu Park.
Fun for the kids

Dinosaur footprints..... or so I am told

Laundry day at the temple,
Donghwasa.

One of Daegu's few snow days.

A few people downtown on a Saturday night 
during the Christmas holiday.

Korean BBQ, complete with side dishes.

Cherry Blossoms.
For two weeks every April these flowers are all the rage.
While most people think of them as a Japanese thing,
there are plenty in Korea and many grow in Daegu's
various parks.

The Daegu Arboretum.
 Great for plant lovers and a relaxing place for a walk.

The City Center lit up at Christmas time.

Woobang tower in the background of this shot,
taken at Duryu Park, Daegu's largest.

A small park called Gyeogsang Gamyeong.
It is a short walk from downtown on the way to Dalseong Park.
The setting is very Joseon, though it is a small park.


Palgongsan on a late summer afternoon.
Easily accessible from the cable car.

A bottle bar. 
Grab a bottle from the fridge and bring it to your table.
Only in Korea will people behave well enough for this to exist.
As the business card says: It's Self Service Bar!!!

The Rose Garden in Seongseo.

The Sincheon river that cuts through east Daegu.


One of the older buildings at Kyungpook National University.
Looks more Maoist China than Korea to me.

EXCO. If you've come for a convention you've
probably been here.

Young Plaza downtown.
One of several big department stores.
This one has its own movie theatre and even has an Apple store.

Daegu's Central stage.
Concerts are often held here on the weekend.
Otherwise it is a central landmark of the downtown core.

From Imhyusa, one of the many temples found in the 
mountains around Daegu.


Dalseong Park in Spring.
There is a small and free zoo here too, though animal lovers
may want to stay clear of it.

Fall at the arboretum. The floats made of flowers are
supposedly a yearly thing.

Downtown on a Saturday night.
One of the few WaBar's left is on the second floor.

Christmas in Sinae (downtown).

Heavy industry is an unavoidable part of Daegu life.
You either see it or breathe it while you are here.
Trying to hide it, and the wonders it has done to this river, 
behind this nice plaque.

From Apsan ringway, the highway that cuts across south Daegu.
Apartments and Woobang Tower.

Both Apsan and Palgongsan have cable cars.
This one is on Apsan.

Central Daegu from the Daegu Observatory.
Ride the cable car to the top and follow the signs.

East Daegu station.
Heading anywhere on the trains or buses, 
you will end up here.

The jungles of Korea in July.
It is 34 with humidity at 80%.
That is downright tropical.

Kids skateboarding in front of Dalgubeol-daejong, 
located in Gukchae-bosang park.
The bell itself is rung every new years eve and at special 
occasions.

A Walk Through Downtown Daegu.

Daegu From Woobang Tower



Gatbawi
 the 1000 year old Buddha at Palgongsan.
Probably the most famous landmark in the city.


At some point most visitors to Daegu will "enjoy" some 
Chamisul Soju.

It does get quiet on some mornings.

Scooters downtown.
Delivering fried chicken to your door at 150kph.

Jungangno Station, complete with fountains

Daegu Makchang. The local delicacy

Outside Keimyung University's east gate.
The morning after....

Daegu drivers.
Always very careful and considerate.
Old buildings at Duryu Park.

Old fashioned lamp posts,
walking towards Daegu Station.

Anyway Daegu, I have to go now.
So long.