The Lunar New Year is, from what I always understood, to be a Chinese Holiday. The Chinese celebrations are the most notable...with the Dragon Parades, Fireworks, oranges, Red Envelopes...Gung Hey Fat Choy!
But....Lucky me, the Lunar New year is celebrated by many Asian cultures. So, as a result, a four day weekend! Although I didn't need a break quite yet from work, a little holiday, no matter when it falls, can always be good! The best thing about this holiday; Seoul becomes a very very quiet city, and many shops will close down. The roads were not busy, nor the streets or subway as people are out of town to visit with family or have family celebrations.
Saturday I gave a go at Rock Climbing with some friends. I had only ever done it once before in uni, but I think I did pretty good for my 2nd time. Takes a lot of determination when you're on and angle and giving it your best to stay attached to the "rocks" and not let go. Left me feeling a bit sore the next day...but definitely want to go again!
Of course my friends and I cele
brated the New Year in our own fashion, with an outing to the foreigner’s district. We started out at this place called "Polly's Kettle." The 'kettles' they sell are 3/4 2 liter pop bottles cut off and filled with soju (kind of like our vodka, but tasteless! and Koolaid!). Needlesstosay, a very fun night layed ahead :)....**See Marcia and I***
Monday I decided to go hiking. Originally I was supposed to go with Marcia, but she fell sick. I couldn't waste a beautiful day off, so I decided to go anyways. I had the map, the shoes, the snacks. I was ready. Two morals came from this day...#1: Never be afraid to ask Questions and #2: Follow people who look like they know where they're going. Rule #1 and # 2 right away. As soon as I got out of the subway, I had to take a bus...but wasn't really sure which direction. So I saw a gentleman who had on hiking gear and showed him my printed out info of the mountain. He spoke Korean back to me, but guided me on the right bus! Once there, I followed rule # 2 again. I just kind of started following people, taking some time for photographs. I eventually came to a map that looked somewhat helpful, and some english titles. I stood there long enough, that someone came up to me (Korean, but speaking English) and asked if I had a route. Ha. Nope. So he helped me to make one. I felt like Hansel and Gretel. I wanted to leave bread trails behind me. While at the same time, I never felt scared because there were always people around, and signs too.
I started out, finally with some destination in mind. A few minutes later I came to a fork in the route. The man who had helped me (and his elder friend) came behind and he pointed me in one direction, but his elder friend was heading over this bridge, with Chinese looking lanterns hanging. I was informed he was going to get a free Lunar NY lunch at a temple. Not so much looking for lunch, but for temples...I followed the older man...and I can't tell you how many conversations I've had in English/Korean that SOMEHOW amount to something...even with language barriers.
I wa
s awestruck by the temples. This was my first encounter, and I found such beauty in the architecture. I went in, and saw some Monks and people praying on carpets. I just stared in awe, and thought it was all so beautiful. There were lots of candles and incents burning and beautiful statues and lamp/flower things on the ceiling!
To my surprise, the elder gentleman met me again, and motioned me to come down for lunch. Against my better judgment (since I wasn't really hungry), I thought it would be rude to decline...as I know how important food is to their culture. So, it was like a little cafeteria with Korean dishes. He served me and himself, it was kind of cute. All along, I’m thinking "What the heck am I doing here? haha" But I went along for the ride. The whole time I felt very safe, there we
re Monks and many many people eating too.
Then a Korean man came over to sit with us and started speaking English. It was pretty broken, but we were able to communicate a bit. He told me I had to try "Dagu" a Korean rice-cake soup that is only served during New Year. During Lunar New Year...everyone turns one year older on that day (From eating the soup). So the day of their birth does not represent their age. The New year does. Therefore, I am currently 26. haha.
Well...full belly and all, I continued my hike. It was awesome. I took so many great pictures, but moreover, I realized how much I loved the escape from the city. It was SOO beautiful, quiet and peaceful. AND a Darn good butt work out, since Im still feeling the after affects ha ha. I reached the top and again was awestruck. Pictures don't even do it justice. I could see all of Seoul, and just mountain tops. A Korean man, who spoke perfect English, offered to take a picture for me. So, I accepted (you know me and my pictures). This mans name was Scott and had been in Korea for 10 years owning his own clothing store. He has a Korean wife and 2 childr
en, in grades 1 and 2. We started chatting and he told me a good route to get back down to town to catch a bus so I wouldn't have to retrace. He said he was heading the same way. He was a good hiking partner for the afternoon. He told me lots of cool things to do in Seoul and some other tips. We stopped at a temple and had some snacks. I went in the Temple again, this time, no one was there so i got some beautiful photos.
I made it home safe and sound. Tired and having walked around for 6 hours! I'm going back again this weekend with a friend on a different run. I think its my new favourite hobb
y! Again, famous last words. Koreans are sooo friendly. Everywhere I turned, someone was overly willing to help me. My friend Ian said, simply because we are foreigners...we are border-line celebrities. ha ha ha. (For example, they take pictures of you randomly...just because we are different!)
s awestruck by the temples. This was my first encounter, and I found such beauty in the architecture. I went in, and saw some Monks and people praying on carpets. I just stared in awe, and thought it was all so beautiful. There were lots of candles and incents burning and beautiful statues and lamp/flower things on the ceiling!To my surprise, the elder gentleman met me again, and motioned me to come down for lunch. Against my better judgment (since I wasn't really hungry), I thought it would be rude to decline...as I know how important food is to their culture. So, it was like a little cafeteria with Korean dishes. He served me and himself, it was kind of cute. All along, I’m thinking "What the heck am I doing here? haha" But I went along for the ride. The whole time I felt very safe, there we
re Monks and many many people eating too.Then a Korean man came over to sit with us and started speaking English. It was pretty broken, but we were able to communicate a bit. He told me I had to try "Dagu" a Korean rice-cake soup that is only served during New Year. During Lunar New Year...everyone turns one year older on that day (From eating the soup). So the day of their birth does not represent their age. The New year does. Therefore, I am currently 26. haha.
Well...full belly and all, I continued my hike. It was awesome. I took so many great pictures, but moreover, I realized how much I loved the escape from the city. It was SOO beautiful, quiet and peaceful. AND a Darn good butt work out, since Im still feeling the after affects ha ha. I reached the top and again was awestruck. Pictures don't even do it justice. I could see all of Seoul, and just mountain tops. A Korean man, who spoke perfect English, offered to take a picture for me. So, I accepted (you know me and my pictures). This mans name was Scott and had been in Korea for 10 years owning his own clothing store. He has a Korean wife and 2 childr
en, in grades 1 and 2. We started chatting and he told me a good route to get back down to town to catch a bus so I wouldn't have to retrace. He said he was heading the same way. He was a good hiking partner for the afternoon. He told me lots of cool things to do in Seoul and some other tips. We stopped at a temple and had some snacks. I went in the Temple again, this time, no one was there so i got some beautiful photos.I made it home safe and sound. Tired and having walked around for 6 hours! I'm going back again this weekend with a friend on a different run. I think its my new favourite hobb
y! Again, famous last words. Koreans are sooo friendly. Everywhere I turned, someone was overly willing to help me. My friend Ian said, simply because we are foreigners...we are border-line celebrities. ha ha ha. (For example, they take pictures of you randomly...just because we are different!)Tuesday: Last day of Holidays! My friend and I went out to City Hall to the outdoor skating rink! It reminded me of the Ayton Arena and public skating
on Sat Nights in Elementary School. All came back pretty easy, I had a lot of fun! We also went to this palace, where we played some Korean games (One is like a Dreidle). And we saw some Korean dancing too! See video! Enjoy the Monk (with fake beard) dancing)!
A tiring, and happening weekend to say the least.
Until next time...
Aunyonkasayo
PRESS PLAY ON VID BELOW!!
You do such a great job explaining stuff, girl! I am glad you had fun! :)
ReplyDeleteKel
Good job Rex, I remember Kirsta telling me the same stories about hiking up to this big temple that was above the rest of the city. She said the same as you, that it was super nice to get away from the crazyness of the city that is always on the go. She also had a ton of great nights at THAT canadian bar, hockey playoffs are even better.
ReplyDeleteMax
Amazing Blog Rexer! You are better than Perez! So proud of you and all of the wonderful things you are doing :) Love ya!
ReplyDelete