On Friday, March 23, 2007 instead of enjoying a regular school day the GOP students enjoyed a field trip to Korea's Independence Hall about two hours away from the school. In front of the entrance is a tower in the shape of hands in eager prayer or in others point of view, a bird flying free to symbolize the Koreans determination for their independence. As you walk farther, closer to the front building there are many flags on both sides giving every one the urge to run through, except we had to hurry to the movie theatre with a promise to come back.

The movie theatre was really cool, the room was circular and about 8 screens surrounded it. The effect made was the feeling of actually being there in person experiencing the things going on screen.

After the movie, we went and looked at a enormous statue representing the Koreans reaching for their goal of independence which was at the tips of their stony fingers. We lingered there for a little and moved to the Museum of National Heritage. This was mostly history of the first three kingdoms of Korea, Silla, Pekche, and Koguryo. In the back of that museum were fun activities of stamping, playing drums, and also figuring out puzzles.

We then proceeded onto The Hall of National Movement. In this Hall we saw 12 different versions of the Korean flag. For some people signed some, and others had seen the flag and drew it as they had remembered. We also learned about Yu Gwan Soon, and also An Joon Goon who cut the first joint of his finger off to show his determination to win Koreas freedom. Another cool thing we witnessed was a display of wax dummies reacting out a historical speech who as joined by students, governors, military commanders, doctors and women.

We had a lunch break full of fun playing a Korean game called Tak-Sa-Oon where you hold up your leg and try to make others fall. After that we went to The Japanese Hall of Aggression where we saw and learned of the things the Japanese did to the Koreans.

From there we went onto the March First Independence hall where a huge golden statue was. It showed Yu Gwan Soon, the Korean Joan of Arc, who was killed because of her local leadership of the Mansei Movement. The statue conveys many of the Koreans, young and old, feelings of hope, determination, and sorrow, all wound together as one.

We got some chances to buy souvenirs, and look around, and then headed home. It was a very educational unforgettable experience.