To Daegu

Prof Chen and I met up with Mr Huang (Staff of Capstone) and the rest of the participants at the hotel lobby at 11am in the morning to take the KTX (Korea Bullet Train) from Seoul to Daegu. Besides NTU, there are representatives from University of Missouri, West Virginia University, Clemson University and South China. There are a total of 11 people with loads of luggage headed to the KTX station via one taxi and minibus (I was amaze how 11 people can squeeze into the bus).

When we reached the station, there is something very interesting that is happening. I saw the Korean Mob Control Police Squad line up outside the station which is really a scary sight. I believe that there might be a riot that is going to happen or the police are having a rehearsal. (It turn out that there is really a riot that day as heard from one of the professors). Whatever it is, I didn’t stay to watch as we got a train to catch. We took the 1pm train and off we are set for our next destination. While on the train, I tried taking some photos of the beautiful scenery of Korea. Here are a few to share with all.

Korean Mob Control Police Squad


Korean Mob Control Police Squad with Shield


Seoul Station






Photos taken during the train journey














After 1 hr 48 minutes of traveling via the KTX, we finally reached Daegu. At the train station, a bus (this time round a big one) was sent to pick us up and send us to the EXCO Exhibition and Convention Centre to set up. After reaching the EXCO hall, I set up the Mechanical Lion and the supporting profile structure that is needed. At around 5pm, we left the EXCO and go to the hotel, Hotel Inter-Burgo. Mr Huang had made arrangement for the lodging. The professors will get individual room while the students were assigned 2 to a room. I was paired up with Shanti Hamburg from West Virginia University to stay in room 3009. This will be my room for the next 3 days and he will be my roommate for the next 3 days. I must admit that I have worked with Americans before but I never tried living with one before and this can be quite an experience. Anyway, the room here is not as good as the one at Hotel Prima and it didn't have any free internet connection too. :(

By the time we settle everything, it is also time for dinner. Most of us just went to hotel buffet to grab something to eat. That night, we spent 35,000 won per person for the buffet dinner. Hope that I won’t be eating here again during my 3 days stay as this is really expensive.

Shanti went back to room earlier as he is very tired, I think he is suffering from jet lag and so he left only after 2 buffet helping. Since the rest of the people do not have any programme after dinner, I just went back to my room too. Upon reaching my room, I see that Shanti is asleep, so I guess I can’t do anything except to sleep early too. So I took a shower and lie on my bed, trying to get some sleep. In the midst of dozing off, Prof Chen called up our room which startled me and Shanti. We were informed to meet up at 7:30am for breakfast as we will be leaving for the EXCO at 8:00am tomorrow morning.

After that, I tried to sleep again but I find it quite hard, so I plug in my MP3 player and play some Jeffrey Michael piano classic and I slowly fell asleep.

However, in my subconscious mind, I woke up quite a few times as I am afraid that I overslept. So I didn’t really get a good rest as you can say. Hope that tomorrow will be a better day.