Little Nagasaki

While stopped at a light, I got this picture of Gwanak.

Getting ready for a left turn on a busy road.

Refueling.

This is one of the places I was trying to get to.

On the way, I got a fleeting glimpse of rubble down an alleyway. Turning around, I investigated to see this disaster zone.

This church seemed to be in the middle of the disaster area, but untouched.

To the right, new apartment buildings replacing the old.

I took my scooter up, looking for a way to get to the abandoned buildings on the other side of the rubble field.

This structure is on the edge of the church property.

There were some kids further up ahead.

This is pretty well all that remains of this building.

"Son-of-a-bitch destroyers."

Somewhat less bitter graffiti.

I wanted to get more photos of this, but up ahead I saw workers who looked like they were on a break. I hid my camera and rode past them.

Up among the abandoned buildings, facing the way I came. Behind me were buildings that were still inhabited.

A look of the disaster area from above. Note that the destruction spreads all the way around the church. On the other side of the grey fence is the road that runs through the area.

Note the 63 Building in the background.

The abandoned buildings where I would have enough privacy to investigate.

This kind of reminds me of Bryn's place.

This kind of reminds me of Burke's old place.

I kept hearing noises which were kind of scaring me. I thought maybe there were looters in one of the buildings. But it was just these guys.

Looking down, I saw a guitar.

Inside an abandoned apartment. The floor was littered with glass so I had to be careful where I stepped.

As far as walking goes, this was one of the safer bits.

Where I originally wanted to go.

It looks like there's more wreckage behind these buildings. They must be having extra trouble getting the tenants out.

It was clear enough I could see to Namsan.

A more dangerous way up.

Up above the main area, there was a grassy part which looked fairly safe to walk along.

Some garbage abandoned on the roof.

The next building.

Water tank.

Kitchen sink.

No good tapes.

This mirrored wardrobe takes a peek out the window.

That looks a lot easier than this.

God is protecting this church.

In the green area I found a garden.

I wanted to get closer to the blue-roofed house but never could.

The widest part of the lot.

The hills were undulating slightly.

A roof of a more primitive structure.

It kept drawing me in and I went further down.

No way in from this side.

In one spot I found a bunch of soju and beer bottles.

And a record.

I found another way out so I wouldn't have to backtrack.

When I got back to the street running through the middle, one of the workers approached me and asked "Why?" I told him in Korean I was a photographer. He didn't know any more questions and I didn't know any more answers.

Heading back up to my bike, I saw the kids playing. I tried to drive out by going further up the hill, but found out it was a dead end. That probably means the rest of these inhabited buildings are to be destroyed next.

On the ride home.

This woman violated all traffic laws she could imagine to get out here.

Oops.

Thought I'd get some pictures of the new bike.

The one day that steel-toed boots would've helped and I wore shoes.