Seeking respite from the pre-summer heat (around 97 degrees F) yesterday, we met with friends and traveled south to San Pedro to hang out on the lawn that surrounds the Korean Bell of Friendship. Sitting high on the hills and overlooking the broad expanse of the Pacific, we couldn’t have picked a better spot to receive some much needed mid-afternoon ocean breeze. Amidst the beautiful gardens that seemed to be filled with ladybugs, there were many kite flyers with their colorful dragons and fierce looking bugs. We even got to enjoy some music and view a wedding that was taking place right next to the bell. Sitting in the grass, watching the kids wrestle, having a nice conversation with my friend was a perfect completion to a wonderful but hot afternoon.

This elaborately embellished and massive bell and the gorgeous pagoda-like pavillion that houses it, was donated to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 from the people of the Republic of Korea to honor veterans of the Korean War, to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial, and as a memorial of lasting Friendship between our two countries. There are many things to be found in the detailed relief work at the base of the bell, and all the ornate structuring and painting work that went into this is just stunning as you can see by the picture above.

It is a very peaceful place to retreat to for a picnic, to visit with loved ones, or to just lay back on the grass and relax in the sun.

The Korean Bell of Friendship is located in Angels Gate Park (review on that to be coming soon) at:

Gaffey and 37th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Visit the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce for more information:

www.sanpedrochamber.com/champint/korenbel.htm

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 8:09 am and is filed under Art and Music, Sacred Locations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.