Happy Birthday Buddha!

Every year it happens, Buddha has a birthday. Normally I do not know about it nor do I do anything for it. But this year, when in asia, it is hard not to notice this magnificent event! For the past few weeks, the streets have been becoming more and more decorated with string of paper lanterns to symbolize the upcoming birthday. His birthday happens to be on the same day as USA's Memorial day, May 25th. However, the whole entire week preceding his birthday is like one big festival. Not so much down in my suburb of Yongin City, but in the greater area of Seoul is where all the events are. this past Saturday (May 19th) I ventured into Seoul to see what it was all about. I went alone, but later met up with my friend Nicola...and eventually a larger group of friends later in the night.

When I first arrived, I went to Temple in the Insadong neighborhood. I had been to this temple before back in March just after I arrived in Korea. at that time it was already breath-takingly beautiful, but now it is one enormous shrine to buddha and his followers. There must have been at least 600-700 hand made paper lanterns covering the courtyards as if they were a rainbow colored ceiling. with every color imaginable, the lanterns all were made by buddhists who came to the temple to pay their respects and ask for wishes. While at the temple, I was able to witness buddhist followers bow, chant, cry, sing, and bless their god by dousing a statue of buddha with Holy Water. It was quite a site and truly beautiful.

Another highlight of visiting the temple was that they had FREE LANTERN MAKING for visitors. I had no idea this would be going on..but Nicola and I sure glad it was! After I met up with her later in the afternoon we returned and made our own lanterns...they are beautiful and even more so when I lit mine later that evening. After making some lanterns and wandering around the narrow streets littered with tourists and buddhists partaking in activities I met up with the rest of my friends and staked out a spot for the annual Lantern Parade. We found a spot along the major parade route and had enough time to grab some italian food for dinner, some cheap Korean beer, and waited for the parade to pass by. We were lucky enough to get a spot right near a main stage which had performances going on while we waited for the parade to arrive. It had been stated that the parade would last for 2 hours - from 7 pm until 9 pm. However, it did not reach us until about 8 and then it took a little longer than 2 hours to pass by. It was well worth the wait though because the lantern parade was something like out of a magical fairy tale. Every single person in the parade had their own brightly colored and illuminated lantern and we saw everyone from people in decorative traditional costumes, monks walking and singing, dancers doing acrobatics as they passed by, and children skipping along while sining korean tunes. The floats on the other hand were MASSIVE paper lantern statues. There were giant lantern animals, flowers, dragons, cartoon characters, buddhas, and many had people within them making the arms, heads, and legs move. It was well after sundown so the colors were all extremely beautiful as they were lit up. I also took the opportunity to light the lantern I had made earlier that day....it was so much fun watching MY LANTERN light up. I felt like I was 7 years old...and was really happy :D

This past weekend was just the beginning of festivities happening for Buddhas Birthday. It however will be the only one that I will be partaking in because next weekend (Buddha's actual birthday weekend) Nicola and I have a 3 day weekend and will be going on a 3 day Namhae Island trip with the organization Adventure Korea. We will be staying with local farmers on the island in their homes and will be able to participate in actually rice farming and take part in their annual farming festival. BUT we will also go kayaking in the sea, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and have 2 nights dedicated to bonfires and drinks on the beach. I'm so looking forward to this mini vacation coming up and will surely update afterwards!

Until next time everyone- I love you all and you are with my in my heart on all my experiences! Peace Out!

Here is a link to my latest FB photo album which includes the lantern festival http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3938187570161.172010.1144020019&type=1&l=d869d83713

It has become life.

Oh, Lordy has it been a little while since my last post. I last wrote about how wonderful it was that Spring had arrived here in Korea. The flowers were and still are in full bloom, gardens are growing, people are coming out and about and to enjoy the sun, ice cream, festivals, and parks. To no surprise, the number of hikers and bikers that I see has dramatically increased. Korea is a very active and health conscious country, and the nicer weather is getting even more adjamins (old people) out and going.

With the turning of spring, I am beginning to long for familiar things that I would normally due during this time of year. One of my favorite things to do in the spring and summer is yard/land scape work. Something about getting out in the flower beds and trimming the yard makes me happy. Unfortunately 5 days of the week I am in a school for 8 hours and on top of that my tiny studio apartment hasn't enough space to plant a garden. However, I tend to make the most of my weekends and get out and about. I have had many exploration and sight seeing adventures such as my temple tours, Jimjilban experience, and Cherry Blossom Bike Tour - but I have also had a few chill relaxing weekends, such as the two most frequent ones. 

The past two weekends, I have done little to no type of exploration. I have just had good times with the friends I have made here. I spent a friday night dancing till the A.M in Itaewon, followed by a lazy Saturday strolling the street shops of Noksapyeong. To wrap up that weekend I had a "me" day and just wandered aimlessly around my suburb- trying to see if any alley had yet to be discovered.

The following weekend (2 days ago) was again very chill. Friday night, my fellow teachers, My friend Ray from Itaewon, and a few others from the Bundang area had a late night diner of Galbi (meat grilled at your table with kimchi, radish, garlic, bean sprouts, other veggies) and followed up our meal with TOO many drinks and of course- more dancing. The next day, my friend Ray had stayed the night so I showed him around my suburb. This Saturday was Children's Day so him and I partook in many activities at Bundang Central Park, a gorgeous and rather large park riddled with tombs, temples, lakes, flower patches, and encompassed by a slow running stream. It is beautiful and one of my favorite places to go. The following day I did the exact same thing as the day before, except this time I was with my friend Hannah. 

Keep in mind tho that I still have MANY adventures planned (one in just 2 weeks to Namhae island) but for now, I feel like taking it easy ;)

So why do I tell you the past two weekends in such detail? Because I realized just this week that I am beginning to be more 'settled' and have started to do more everyday life activities such as staying closer to my neighborhood and just relaxing on the weekend. As I walk to and from work, go grocery shopping, and go on my evening stroll after dinner, I have begun to recognize faces, I have stopped looking at every add and restaurant, and have become very a custom to the sights and sounds of a Korean town. I no longer "oooo and ahhh" over every little difference I come across. I more or less just now see it as something a little bit different that what I saw the day before. I have learned how to properly grocery shop and what is a good price on some goods compared to others, can find my way around all of the greater Seoul area after weeks of exploring, and have even begun to pass on opportunities to Party hard in the city. 

Obviously, one thing that is making it more comfortable for me here is that I am much more familiar with the lay of the land and how life works around here. Secondly, as stated before, my friends here have made it the best possibly experience so far for me. Despite being bored at work, I would say life here in the land of Korea is good. However...it isn't great.  I still have a few things I can't adjust to such as my boss expecting "favors" like staying late after work and working through our ONLY 40 break during the day. I also still find some of the korean people unfriendly. I know that it is in their culture to not smile at strangers, nudge on the bus/subway/supermarket.. but I'm a friendly bubbly guy...and I would appreciate it if people were as nice to me as I am to them. I know they aren't being rude towards me, it is their culture, but still. :)

Lastly, altho life here is very good - I love my friends, kids at school, experiences had so far and many to come - I am starting to long for familiar things from home. I miss speaking to my family and friends on a  regular basis, I want to snuggle my cat like crazy, and I would really like to see my brother's wedding next month. But...I also am keeping in mind that I have done all that for years...and now is the time that I need to thrive in Korea. So...until I meet the US soil again (or get a visit from home) I will continue to know that my family loves me, my friends are having good times, and my cat is probably in seventh heaven at my folks house. 

Until next time- Much Peace and Love!