The Korean Word for Costco is Post Office...

Today was one of those days with so much to do...and a short time to get there. It was at this moment I forgot where I was and got into a taxi and simply said, "Post Office". I repeated myself a couple of times, and we were off....going cross town. I simply relaxed and thought that it saved me a from hailing another taxi. The alarm didn't go off in my head until...we arrived at Costco. Yes, even in Korea...Costco has survived where Walmart failed.

I motioned to my package...and signaled my disapproval...the driver looking more stuck than I was called out for help from one of the pedestrians....like an episode of Cash Cab...only this time the driver was the one who needed to phone a friend. Costco was not the post office, but where we happened to be was near the airport. Ah, one beleaguered passer-by mentioned the main post office, pointing in the general direction...so off we went...where I was deposited by the side of the road looking for a way in.

So, in inappropriate shoes and all I tried to approached the building only to get 'jacked up' by a security guard...I gestured and pointed at my package and just as I was getting frustrated with the rent-a-cop....a postal van was pulling out of the gate. The postal worker saw my frustration...and flung the door open when I said two little words..."taxi driver'.

So, perhaps you are wondering what the big deal is about getting to the post office...simple...in South Korea they are not open during the weekends. After reading about the distress of the US Postal Service, always taking it for granted when they were open on Saturdays (then of course that meant that had to be the same all over the world)....wrong!! 9-5, Monday through Friday. This also applies to anything you need sent out by express mail. Kinkos?? FedEx??? DHL??? Mail Boxes, etc.? Fiction not fact...at least here in Daegu....at least NOT with the service hours you expect elsewhere. The only thing that is open 24 hours is a HomePlus and your local heart attack waiting to happen (AKA McDonald's). It had been a while since I had seen the EXCO, and it was the perfect day to snap a few shots. The weather was beautiful, clear, and the fountains were on.

The exhibition hall was getting traffic with the latest exhibits...

and I wasn't quite sure what this robot's purpose in life was. It wasn't functioning...or perhaps it was asleep...

But after all of the self created drama...caused by my procrastination...(yes...if it is something I don't want to do...it is the last possible second....well, not last...but damn close) I had to photograph the statue again. There is no title...but something besides the naked form struck me as I looked up at this messenger. There are no arms, just wings. This winged messenger is never meant to hold anyone. It made me look at this statue in a whole new light.

After all...all I was going to do was mail a package...and I wound up here...at the EXCO, pondering her form. Not a bad day at all.

Now, I wonder where the taxi driver will take me if I say Costco.....

The Incredible EXCO

I know it is a bit unusual to fall in love with a building, however the Daegu Exhibition Hall, also known as the EXCO was a great site for the 2009 Daegu International Art Fair. This is no little gig, for this annual Art Fair's has been successfully growing every year.

When I got home, I downloaded my pictures and looked in amazement at this beautiful facility, so for this posting, I thought I would take you on a tour of the facilities.
Above, a couple of exterior shots of the building. The EXCO has 5 floors of exhibition halls for major events.

For whatever reason I thought when I looked up at the ceiling, 'so, this is what it feels like being inside a football.'

To appreciate the scope of size, I was on the fourth floor when I took the shot above.

This statue graces the front of the entrance. The first nude I have laid eyes on in Daegu...ah that was until I went inside the exhibition.

The view from the upper floor. The mountains surrounds Daegu, giving a calm feeling to this heavily populated area. There are about 4.5 million residents in Daegu, the fourth most populated city in South Korea.

Tomorrow...the showing of 2009 Art Daegu...you are going to love it!

Art Daegu 2009

The Third International Art Festival in Daegu is kicking off 27 February...and looks to be more than impressive...but massive as well. I was hoping to see more artists and galleries from the west sign up for this event, however there is a lot of incredible talent on display.

In Korea, they are sometimes slow to move, appearing to us in the west as last minute, BUT they do get there on time. They are never about rushing and information is sometimes grabbed for. Finally their web page is up and running... http://artdaegu.com/about_place.htm

HOWEVER...this event looks incredible and I am definately NOT missing this one. A great way for me to meet the gallery owners and artists from around the world. The venue is massive...

If you can make it this year... the entry fee is only 5,000 won. There should be some incredible finds.