김영숙's review

As a huge fan of *Exploring My Cultural Heritage*, this is my third trip to Damyang. When one thinks of Damyang, Soseowon Garden symbolizes the region, where the aesthetics of pavilions and gardens coexist; thus, Soseowon and Sikyeongjeong are representative masterpieces that sublimate the spirit of the Southern gentry into nature. However, how long will we remain fixated solely on the aesthetics of pavilions? The outdoor outdoor performance brimming with local love, art therapy, and temple food experience were a two-day, one-night trip where I grasped the thread connecting these experiences to my life—things I had previously merely passed by as scenery. It was a time when I realized, with my body and mind, the authentic taste and true charm of local life, imbued with the joys and sorrows of learning, pleasure, and feeling, all while sharing the pleasures of the present moment with others. Although I missed the magnificent sight of the crape myrtles in full bloom at Myeongokheonrim, the elegance of the flowers blooming here and there at Jewoldang in Soseowon helped to soothe the hot and humid air amidst the gently falling rain. This trip to Damyang was more than just a feeling of being embraced and filled with joy by the land of Damyang, which embodies the local residents' sentiment: "Is it not also a joy to have a friend visit from afar?" Thanks to Guide Cha Young-gi and many other fellow travelers, the 2-day, 1-night Damyang Bamboo Forest Stroll was the best—enjoyable and healing.