Trip to 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 03-08 September 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-09-08_kr-seoul.htm

I travelled to 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) for the first time on 03-08 September 2007 to give a talk at the 10th International Symposium on Analysis, Design, and Evaluation of Human-Machine Systems (aka HMS2007) and another at 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) (see Post 07 September 2007). On my first day, I explored the city center and walked to the top of 남산 (Namsan park), where I lingered on great views over the capital. On my last day, 자영 (Jayoung), a Korean researcher from the university, and her friend 질 (Jin) guided me inside 경복궁 (Gyeongbok Palace) and accompanied me for lunch in the charming 인사동 (Insadong) district.

I loved the relaxing and lively atmosphere of the capital, its great landscapes and tasty food, its classy women and skilled jazz musicians. Behaviors and costs differ greatly from 東京 (Tokyo, Japan): people are more friendly but more noisy, notably in subways; traditional dishes such as 비빔밥 (bibimbap) and transportation, even taxis, are quite cheap. Living several months in 서울 (Seoul) would certainly be a heartening and enriching experience.

Visit at the textile department of 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 07 September 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-09-07_kr-seoul_yonsei-textile-lab.htm

I visited 연세대학교 (Yonsei university) in 서울 (Seoul, South Korea) on 07 September 2007 to give a lecture about the general public's needs in ubiquitous computing and to see prototypes of smart clothes by 스마트의류 기술개발연구소 (smartwear research center), on the invitation of its director 조 길수 (CHO Gilsoo). I strolled in the university campus for the first time, appreciating the open spaces and trees before heading for the textile department.

After my talk, Korean specialists in smart clothing introduced me the activities of the group, answered questions, and showed prototypes while explaining the challenges and techniques used. They presented a ski suit monitoring exposure to sunlight with ultraviolet sensors, bike wear detecting the wearer's strong emotions (e.g. fear) with galvanic skin response (aka GSR) sensors, a dress lighting up according to surrounding sounds, and garments for children containing pressure interfaces. I was notably interested in the textile keypads and connectors as washable basic elements to design smart clothes for the general public; the keypads were embedded in sleeves of tops for children, and the textile connectors were demonstrated as data transmitters for the ski suit. The garments were all featured at the Smart Clothing 2007 fashion show held in 서울 (Seoul) on 11 May 2007.

[Update 08-Sep-2007] 자영 (Jayoung), a Korean researcher from the group, kindly guided me in the capital for my last day in the country (see Post 08 September 2007).

Hike at 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) on 05-06 August 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-08_jp-fuji.htm

I hiked 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) for the second time on 05-06 August 2007 with fourteen friends to see the sunrise from the top, which was a success thanks to a wonderful weather. Like the previous time (see Post 02 July 2006), we climbed from 五合目 (the fifth station) until we reached a shelter, where we dined. Most of us slept but I remained awake and could thus talk with hikers in the main room, watch thunder in the clouds outside, and later have a look at the stars, red moon, and city lights around the lakes. Leaving at midnight, we reached the top of the mountain just before sunrise, which was beautiful. After a two-hours stop in a frosty wind at the top, we slowly descended then headed for ゆらり温泉 (Yurari spa), which we all enjoyed much.

Trip to 北京 (Beijing, China) on 22-28 July 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-07_cn-beijing.htm

I travelled to 北京 (Beijing, China) for the first time on 22-28 July 2007 to give two talks at the 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (aka HCII2007). During my stay, I visited the famous 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square), 紫禁城 (Forbidden City), 天坛 (Temple of Heaven), and 北海公园 (Beihai Park). 超 (Chao), a Chinese classmate from 総合研究大学院大学 (Sokendai, Japan), took me in charge the first evening, and showed me 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square) before telling me how to deal with the city and inviting me for a gorgeous dinner.

The city was extremely polluted, with grey fog on daytime and halos on street lamps at night, especially at 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square), which is surrounded by incredible streets. The only patch of blue sky I noticed was above 天坛公园 (Temple of Heaven park), where lies 天坛 (Temple of Heaven), a UNESCO world heritage site that features 祈年殿 (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests) and 圜丘坛 (Circular Mound Altar).

I quickly toured 紫禁城 (Forbidden City), another UNESCO world heritage site, with conference fellows but should return for the inside of the buildings. However, I fully enjoyed alone 雍和宮 (Lama Temple), the gigantic 北海公园 (Beihai Park) with its beautiful 九龙壁 (Nine-Dragon Screen) and 白塔 (White Dagoba), the historical 明城墙遗址公园 (Ming City Wall Ruins Park), and the exotic 王府井大街 (Wangfujing street), where I pondered whether to eat scorpions or not...

Trip to 群馬 (Gunma, Japan) on 27 May 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-05_jp-gunma.htm

I travelled to 群馬県 (province of Gunma, Japan) for the first time on 27 May 2007 with eight friends to see 白根山 (Mount Shirane) and relax in hot springs. We drove a mini-van from 東京 (Tokyo) in four hours but got caught up in traffic jams on the way back. Anyway, the incredible emerald-green crater lake 湯釜 (Yugama) at 白根山 (Mount Shirane) was worth it. We hiked a bit in the area and even spotted snow and ice. Later, we drove to 草津温泉 (Kusatsu hot springs), where we watched the traditional 湯もみと踊り (Yu-momito dance) that was created to cool down the water of the local hot springs. We then bathed lazily at 草津大滝乃湯 (Otaki-no-yu), imagining how hot the pool would naturally be...

Stroll in Parc oriental de Maulévrier (Oriental park of Maulévrier, France) on 17 April 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-04_fr-maulevrier.htm

I keep being surprised by places friends take me to when I go back "home" to France. I owe my first visit to the Parc oriental de Maulévrier (Oriental park of Maulévrier, France) on 17 April 2007 to François-Xavier, who drove me there. Except for the castle, I would not have guessed I was in France! Although the sky was a bit cloudy, our timing was wonderful: the vegetation was colorful and flowers blooming, which was particularly moving for the Japanese landscapes.

Exhibition at Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum, France) on 13 April 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-04-13_fr-orsay.htm

I enjoyed my favourite French museum, the Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum, France), in Paris on 13 April 2007 in company of François and Valentine, whom I had not met for a long time. A former train station, the building is spacious, beautiful and bright. The art works are mainly masterpieces that tell us stories both individually and in connexion with their surroundings. As always, my admiration goes to the architects and artists, and my congratulations and best wishes to the staff.