By Robert Neff
In May 1903, Charles Allen Clark, an American missionary, made his first trip outside of the comforts of Seoul. Clark was still relatively new to Korea and his language ability and familiarity with Korean culture were still somewhat lacking. He did, however, provide an interesting view of what it was like to travel down the Han River to the Yellow Sea at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Clark and another missionary departed Seoul through the South Gate on May 4, Buddha's Birthday. They were not alone. Accompanying them were Clark's teacher, the party's cook and the cook's mother-in-law.