Start of Vacation

To start off summer vacation last week, a few of us at the office decided to go out for a night of fun.  I am going to miss the fact that drinking in public is acceptable.  Sometimes, it is nice to go into a convenience store, grab a beer, and sit outside and have a drink.  Or, have a drink in a park.  Can't do that in America but it is a-o-k in Korea.  So, we had a few drinks and then went out to a nearby city.  Nothing major, just a fun time.  

(Josh preparing for the evening)

(Spenser making some last minute calls to get the gang together)

(Katrina and Spenser before we hopped in the taxi)

(Harry Long with 'Double A,' a friend we picked up for the evening)

 (Not sure what's happening here, but Katrina and Drew seem to be excited)

(Spenser Rodriguez swinging away in the batting cages)

(Katrina getting her photo with Double A and the rest of the gang hanging outside the batting cages)

 (Drew, who doesn't seem too pleased to have Double A)

 (Spenser and Double A)

 (Harry hanging out)

(Josh was saying something serious about the governments attempt to do something or other, perhaps along the lines of brain control, not sure)

 (Katrina and myself at Crazy Duck)

(The Ninja Josh bustin' a move)

 (I think he called this dance Mein Kampf, but I can't quite remember)

(Josh preparing for a Judo chop in this one)

 (And now he's breaking the board - I liked this shot because of the light)

(Nice little tree outside)

(Drew at the chicken place right before he left for the evening)

 (Spenser trying to figure out what to order - ended up with chicken in a sauce along with quite a few chicken necks)

 (Josh was pretty hungry after all of his dancing)

(Chicken Time)

Temple Stay

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do since I began living in Korea has been to participate in a Temple Stay.  With only two months left until my time in Korea is up, I figured I better get it on.  Katrina and I signed up for the Temple Stay program at Yongjoosa, a temple on the outskirts of Suwon (English homepage http://eng.yongjoosa.or.kr/).  It was quite an intriguing experience, but not quite what I expected.   Nevertheless, I learned a lot of great things.  I would recommend going to a Temple Stay if you have not done so yet.  However, I would try to find one in a remote location.  Also, make sure they have translators or take a Korean friend with you to translate.  Finally, and something you have no control over, the group you are with will determine your experience.  Unfortunately, I do not think I was with the best people for a Temple Stay program.  We did lots of meditation, ate some great veggie food, got to listen to monks chant, made lotus lanterns, and had tea time with a nun.  It was very relaxing and I did feel at peace at the end of the stay.  It is a great chance to relax and get away from a busy lifestyle.  Anyway, here are a few of the photos from the weekend. 

(Katrina in her Temple stay outfit)

 

 (The crack in the door is not poor craftsmanship; rather, it is so the ghost of the king and his father are able to return at night to the temple)

(Our translator in the green vest in front of the 5 storied pagoda)

 

 (Bell)

(Katrina in front of the pagoda)

 

 (Some interesting writing on the wall - the temple is known for filial piety)

(Inside the main hall - 3 buddhas:  one for the past, the present, and the future)

 

 (Another shot inside the main hall)

 (This was after a woman asked if there was a child or crushed child bones added to the bell)

(Typical temple roof structure)

 (Katrina volunteered me to make dinner - bibimbap)

(Dining Hall with the others participating in the Temple Stay)

 

(One hungry woman who had to wait for everyone until she could eat...)

 

(Cute couple in their matching outfits - see babes, it's not that bad...)

 

 (One of the guardians holding a dragon.  The king had a dream about a dragon holding a jewel.  Apparently, that's what Yongjoosa means in English - 'dragon jewel.')

(Temple Stay shot)

 

 (Cute girls that were part of the temple stay for the first day)

 (Katrina and her lotus lantern)

(Group shot with the nun and our lotus lanterns)

 

(Temple guardians - south and east I believe)

 

(Here are the north and west guardians)

 

(Part of the temple complex)

 

(Pagoda and surrounding area without people)

 

(The Room of 1000 Buddhas)

 

(Start counting...)

 

(...still more)

 (Different pagoda in honor of a famous monk who practiced at Yongjoosa)

 (Inside a little grottoesque area)

 (These neat little statues can usually be found throughout temples)

 (Breakfast time)

 (Somebody has the tired jollies from waking up at 3 am)

 (Delicious food)

(Coloring mediation)

 

 (Set up for the tea ceremony)

 (Different view)

(Our nun for the weekend - got to do a Q & A with her at the end)

(Interesting sculpture in the garden)

(Our name tags from the weekend.  That says Justin and Katrina in Korean, in case you ever wanted to know.)