Last days in Korea

We spent our last two days at the Seoul Children's Museum and the Korean War Memorial.  I've been extremely impressed with the museums in Seoul.  For starters, most of them are FREE making sightseeing with a family of five very affordable.  Second, many of the museums have portions dedicated solely to children with interactive exhibits and activities to help kids absorb Korean culture and history.

This was an interesting exhibit that allows kids to experience life through the lens of someone with special needs such as blindness or paralysis.  They could practice crossing the street with a white cane or entering the subway using a wheelchair.  A great way to promote empathy.

We also enjoyed the Korean War memorial and museum.  Since we had studied the Korean War this past year in our homeschool, Levi could easily track with the events that were displayed in the exhibits.

Statue of Two Brothers

The Statue of Two Brothers was especially moving "depicting two brothers, one an ROK officer and his younger brother, a North Korean soldier, meet on the battlefield and express reconciliation, love, and forgiveness.   The crack in the dome stands for the division of Korea and the hope for reconciliation." (From Wikipedia).   It reminded me of our own Civil War where brothers, neighbors, and best friends found themselves on opposite sides of the battle lines.

The  children's portion of the museum had interactive displays like this puzzle where you matched up the flag with the country that aided South Korea in the war.  It even had a short, animated film on the Comfort Women of WWII  (not a subject I would typically cover with my little ones, but historically accurate nonetheless.)  And, of course, the boys enjoyed climbing inside the military tanks and checking out the war planes and missiles.

We leave Korea tomorrow and head for China.  It's been an amazing trip!  Though we will miss Korea, but we are anxious to meet our new addition, Abigail!