The Hanji Paper Factory and Hahoe Village

Here we were able to visit the oldest paper-making factory in Korea.  Below are pictures of the piles of mulberry bark used to make this beautiful Korean traditional paper:

Once the bark is ready, it is put in to a bath of water. The worker uses a large 'filter' to collect the pieces of the bark and create large sheets of paper.

Once the paper comes out of the water, he lays it down on the pile he is creating and slowly takes off the filter cover.

These are sheets that are drying:

When in the store, there were lovely displays of items made of paper that you would never believe could actually BE made of paper. Take, for example, these traditional Korean dresses - yes, all made of paper!!!

These pictures were taken from the top of a small hill that we hiked.  Unbelievable how scenic this village and the countryside of Korea are!!

Just some of the incredible rice paddies we saw - this one was on the way to the Hahoe Village.

Once inside this traditional village, we had the chance to watch a traditional Korean Dance.  This is a dance that is done ONLY by men and it mocks the people in power at the time: the local officials, monks and even kings.  While I couldn't understand a word these dancers said (they made jokes in between their dancing), everyone in the audience was rolling on the floor!  They were even accompanied by a live traditional drumming band.

This tree is over 500 years old and is supposed to bring fertility to any woman who visits this tree.

Surrounding the tree is a ring of paper ribbons upon which people wrote wishes and then tied them to the other ribbons.


Whether is was the beauty of the village or its flowers inside, this Hahoe Village was just lovely!  What we were told to observe was the different styles of architecture, all found within the same village.  Note the different styles of roofs, too!

 

The first two are pictures of the home belonging to the mayor of this village; the third is a picture of his famous brother's home.  Even today people live in this village. They are paid by the government to live there and receive certain benefits.

Couldn't resist my chance to pose in this ancient gateway (next to the famous brother's home!)

And, this is what we saw when we walked along the outskirts of the village.  (Sorry for the sweat on my shirt; but, just a reminder of how insanely hot and humid it was!!)  I just couldn't help but look for "Hansel and Gretl" here!