The World's Largest Floating Bookstore Comes to Korea

Logos Hope, a missionary ship, was docked at Gunsan Port until July 20^th. After leaving Gunsan it travels to Incheon Port before moving onto Taiwan in the middle of August. What is this ship, and why is it so special, you ask?

First, this missionary ship powered by over 400 volunteers travels the world trying to bring hope wherever it goes. Its volunteers come from many different countries but all must speak English in order to participate. After having a short discussion with one of the volunteers I learned that there are many different jobs on the ship from teachers to engineers. There's something for anyone interested in giving a year or two to service.

On Monday evening, I took time to see what the ship was all about. I discovered that it has the largest floating bookstore in the world. Most of the books are Christian-based but there are some books that are non-religious also. It was refreshing to discover that there were so many different books to choose from. At one point I had to stop and ask if I really needed the books I had picked out because I wanted so many of them.

I roamed the bookstore for about an hour and then discovered a café. Once you bought your books you could sit have a snack or coffee and read one of the books you just picked out. All in all the prices were reasonable the books ranged from 1,000 won to 20,000 won, (roughly $1-$20).

       
While it is free to board the ship to check out the bookstore and café there are also tours for both kids and adults.  I didn't have time to take the tour, but the cost of the tours are 7,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children 8-13. Children 7 and under are free.  Also if you are interested in doing a tour, a reservation is required.

Overall it was an interesting experience and I enjoyed what I saw. For more information you can check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mvlogoshope or their web site at omships.org.

Jessica Russell

Jessica is a writer and photographer who has lived and taught in Korea for long enough to earn a black belt in taekwondo. A true global pedestrian, Jessica loves to travel, her sights now set on places as diverse as Rio de Janeiro and Mt. Fuji. Her dream is to open a childcare center.