TongDo-Sa Temple & on to Haman

We left our wonderful new friends in Ulsan on Monday for a two day visit in YangSan.  During our stay in YangSan our new hosts arranged for a special opportunity for us to lodge at TongDo-Sa Temple, in the foothills of some beautiful mountains.  We struggled a bit lugging our month’s worth of luggage over the rugged trail that led to our cabin, but it was worth it to be in the beautiful & serene setting for two nights. 

During our stay, we had the chance to visit with two Buddhist high priests who shared with us their thoughts on a variety of topics.   We also were lucky to have as our host Mrs. Seo, who is a professor of Tea Culture at the university here, and took us to one of the temple’s tea rooms for a lovely afternoon tea party.   In this photo, another of our hosts Mrs. Park is holding a branch from the edible wild azalea plant that was our snack along with the tea.

On Tuesday we visited a site at TongDo-Sa where there are several beautiful temples.   The number of people who come to worship there is so great that they hold services almost continuously throughout the day in many of the buildings.  To respect the ceremonies, we did not take photos of those which were in process.  At this temple, people can buy bags of rice (grown by the monks and other community members) for 3,000 won, and leave them as an offering.

  

The temple also provides free meals to anyone who shows up to eat.  We had dinner there on Tuesday evening before attending the final evening ceremony at the largest temple building.   The ceremony starts with the monks playing the drums and ringing a large bell for several minutes before entering the temple.   The sounds are haunting and really reverberate from the hills surrounding the temple.  Here are Don, our interpreter Jae Uk, and Alex posing with the drums and bells after being told to “look cool”.   How’d they do?

 

During the ceremony there were no photos allowed, but it was absolutely gorgeous inside the temple with thousands of hanging lotus lanterns and the monks chanting so beauitfully and synchronously.  We learned the proper method for bowing to Buddha and some of us participated in the 108 bows that take place during each ceremony.

On Wednesday we departed for Haman, a community further inland that is reminding us very much of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.   We spent the day visiting several farming operations with Mr. Kim who showed us where he grows bell peppers and golden melons.   This region specializes in agricultural engineering and their farms are becoming quite successful.  As they gain efficiencies and are able to produce more than can be consumed domestically, many farmers are currently seeking FDA approval for their products, so you may be able to buy Mr. Kim’s peppers and melons in the U.S. soon!

 We ended the day visiting the local Haman Rotary Club and giving our presentation about our home district 5100 to a large crowd who was enthusiastic about our choice to give the presentation in Korean.   I’m sure we’re still making mistakes in our pronunciation, but their encouragement means a lot and we’ll keep at it!

Rotary Service

As we have toured the Ulsan area and the clubs that make up this section of District 3720, I have been most impressed with the service these clubs provide and the energy and spirit of giving.  Let me share some about those projects from the past two days.

 Yesterday, Mr. Kim Young Youn president of the Ulsan Nam San club took us to “Love House” – a home completely funded by Rotarians.  A woman in a small community was identified by the elders as needing help.  Her house was flooded part of the year, lacked heat, the roof leaked and the woman was very ill from exposure to the elements.  Mr. Lee convinced Rotarians in his club with construction backgrounds to help finance and supply the materials to build this woman a new home.  After obtaining the commitment from ten members in the construction trades he then got support from other members of the club for extra financing.  The home was finished in January and is called “Love House”.  In seeing the home we were impressed with the quality and specialness of the construction and details making it truely a home built out of love and service.

On Thursday we visited a public institution for mentally handicapped children, a school teaching skills and independence.  The compassion of the director and the teacher (both Rotarians) was evident as we shared with in the student’s exercise which consisted of running around a table to music.  The president of the Ulsan Haeguk club (an all woman Rotary club) shared how engaged her members are in service activities in their community.  One of the members, Ms Chung Hae Lan has only been a Rotarian for one year but was very excited to show us and to have us participate in activities.

 

In addition on Thursday we visited a massage clinic that uses the skills of the visually impaired.  In countries such as Korea and China training visually impaired people in massage is common as it is understood that they possess the special skills to be good a massage.  The incoming president of the clinic is the president elect of the Ulsan Haeguk Club.  For me to share this experience with other Rotarian women my age involved in social service is an absolute joy!  I very much felt a closeness to the activities, the purpose and the passion of these women.

To celebrate we enjoyed a western style dinner – and the first in chairs since arriving here in Ulsan as guest of another Rotarian of the Ulsan Haeguk Club, Ms. Suzie Jang a very savvy and fun businesswomen.  She later joined us sharing her drumming talents while Alex wowed us with his singing. 

 

 This has been a packed full, busy, first week.  We have met many people, exchanged many business cards and friendship pins.  We know the farewell ceremony tomorrow night will be filled with a mixture of joy and sadness.

Nori-bong

Our days & nights so far have been full of interesting visits to companies, civic organizations, and great sightseeing opportunities.  I agree with Don’s last post that it’s impossible to capture all the excitement in a few short lines.  Our day yesterday went like this:

Susan & I had the opporunity for a homestay with Mr. Kim Jong-kie, who is the GSE Team Leader for the team from District 3720 who will be visiting Oregon this month.  They leave April 1st, so while Mr. Kim has much to do to prepare for his own trip, he was so gracious to host us in his wonderful home on the coast of Ulsan city.  Yesterday we woke up to beautiful weather and view of the sun rising over the Pacific Ocean, which was different for two people from the west coast of the US; we are used to seeing the sun SET over that particular body of water!

During our busy day I had my first vocational visit at Hyundai Heavy Industries.  I met Mr. Kim Hyung-Bae who was the manager of their Cost Accounting Department and we had a wonderful discussion, the details of which would only be interesting to other accountants, so I will spare you the nitty gritty  .   Photographs were not allowed on the site of Hyundai Heavy Industries at the request of our hosts, but I did snap this one from afar when we visited Ulgi Lighthouse and park later in the day.  In the foreground you can see a few members of the Korean junior soccer team that was visiting the park at the same time we were.  (Their English was excellent!)  HHI spreads across nearly 2,000 acres on the Ulsan coast.

 We ended the day with another delicious traditional Korean meal, where all of the team members enjoyed the Korean version of sashimi – LIVE raw seafood.  It was a new experience for all of us to try to the squiggling octopus, as it fought back and attached its suckers to the roofs of our mouths as we chewed!  After that, we needed to kick back and relax so our host for the day Mr. Yang took us to a nearby nori-bong, which is a karaoke bar with private room to minimize public humiliation.  Everyone got in on the action….we’re a talented group; I think American Idol will be calling us soon.

Hite

Greetings from sunny Ulsan: This trip has been amazing with all the wonderful people, delicious food, and very serious comedy every step of the way.  I have stories for almost every hour that we have been here, but instead of belaboring the point, a few photos from yesterday may just give everyone a taste. Our hosts have graciously created several banners which welcome our team to Korea.  These banners travel with us everywhere and they love to take photos of the whole expedition with the photo in front of us.  After taking that photo on the steps of the University of Ulsan, I suggested a more creative approach, which much to my surprise and happiness, everyone was game for.      During our many meetings with dignitaries, business owners and other representatives of Korea,  we need to fit many people into different rooms.  The photo represents what is called, “The Dance”.  Basically, it is the process of deciding who sits where.  It is completely out of our control and something that I have come to look forward to and see how it is going to play itself out.    Finally, the food is wonderful.  Last night we had the soft noodles for the first time which can be difficult to eat, especially with chopsticks.  Though there is etiquette in all facets of Korean life, eating food allows for activities which we are not used to, ie. slurping, double-dipping, and not pouring your own liquor.   

We Arrived!!!

After a long plane ride full of spring vacation and Easter holiday travelers we made it to a very quiet and beautiful Seoul airport for our last leg of the journey.  We quickly learned how to get through customs, get our baggage, and then check in for our last leg of the journey.  It was amazing to be in such a large airport that was so very quiet.  The final ride was short and we were full of anticipation and fatigue as we departed from the plane in the domestic airport at Busan.  After a bit of confusion we were warmly greeted by a welcoming committee with bouquets of flowers, banners, and photos. 

Meeting us at the airport were our coordinator of our trip Mr. Kwon Oh Jin and the District 3720 outbound team leader, Mr. Kim Jong-Kie.  The welcoming committee took us to Gimhae hotel and let us quickly settle in to rest.  All of us were very fatigued and the hotel was wonderful for what we needed – some rest after a very long journey.

Our Korean host allowed us to sleep in and then join them for a formal welcome with 3720 hosted by District Governor Kim Tae-Geun.  Most of the team was not able to sleep in, rising at 7am or shortly thereafter.  All of us slept well enjoying the opportunity to rest.

Our luncheon was formal, allowing us to meet all of the Assisting Governors of each of the sub-regions of District 3720. Governor Kim gave a generous welcome to our team and the purpose of Rotary and GSE.  We also met the District outgoing team.  Team members enjoyed the opportunity to meet with them, share information and gifts.  The positive energy that was flowing was the purpose of Rotary and this program.

After driving to Ulsan we were hosted for coffee and planning meeting with the clubs in this area.  At that meeting we did learn more about what is planned for us both in terms of sites, presentations, and vocational visits.  It was also a time to take more pictures and share more brochures and business cards.  We are pleased that our brochures in Korean are such a hit!!

   

We were taken to dinner at a famous Korean Duck house (ori bulgogi) where the food, conversation, laughter, and company was boisterous and loud.  After dinner and the giving of some banners we have returned to our hotel to rest up for a very busy week.

Countdown

The team members are doing their final packing, organizing, running errands, closing out work, savoring time with loved ones, and practicing their speech. This Friday we leave, catching a 7am Southwest flight to LAX, via San Jose…then “running” to collect our bags, run to the international terminal, check in with Korean Air so we can make the long flight to Seoul. As team member Kari says, “wear your running shoes…and think of that show ‘amazing race’”. It is good to know that humor abounds with this group, because it will be laughter, kindness, caring, curiosity, openness, and appreciation of others that will make this trip a success.

On Sunday our team did a “dress rehearsal” sans team member Don Frank who was finishing up work in Gerhardt. Our speech was given in Korean and our audience of Korean students and our Korean teacher remarked that they understood about 60%. Well that does give us something to do during those long hours on the airplane, snuggled in the middle rows!!! I am reminded when I am speaking Korean, and struggling with correct pronunciation, of the movie My Fair Lady – and Professor Higgins putting marbles in the mouth in order to assist with enunciation. If I wasn’t afraid of swallowing the marbles I might go along with that.

Soon our team will be writing from Korea. We do not know how often we will have access to Internet but when we do we have made a commitment to keeping our family, friends, and Rotarians posted. We do hope you enjoy.

Susan

Korea night at Portland State

Some good information from our teammate Katherine about a Korean culture night which will take place while we’re away.  Come check it out & get a little taste of what we’re experiencing on our trip!

Event:  PSU Korea Night
Sponsored by the PSU Korean Student Association

Date:  Friday, April 11
Time:  6:30pm-9:00pm

Location:  PSU Smith Memorial Student Union, Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Cost:  $6 at the door, $5 in advance

Contact:  Christine Lee, chchilly@gmail.com  to inquire about location of advance ticket sales.

For the past 2 years, this event has drawn over 200 people.  With a
bigger space this year, the event is bound to be bigger and better than
ever.

Come and enjoy – Korean food, music, performances, entertainment — and
conversation with others interested in Korea.

team bonding

Kari and I have been enjoying the tasty treats of McMenamins while we peruse the team’s photo selections.  We appreciate the team’s confidence in allowing us to choose the images that will represent them halfway across the world.  

Countdown!

I tend to measure time in slightly different units that just “days”.  So when I look at my calendar and see that today is March 3, and that we are all getting on a plane to leave for Korea on March 21, I see that:

- There are only two weekends left before our departure

- I am  only going to sleep 18 more times before we leave.

- After today, I have only one Monday left at work before I start my sabbatical!

As the countdown creeps frighteningly closer to single digits, we’re all working hard on the final preparations for our trip.  We’re squeezing in extra language practice to work on the pronunciation, phrasing, and cadence of our presentations.  We are discussing luggage & packing strategies – what to take with us, what to buy in Korea, how much empty space to leave in each suitcase for bringing back gifts and souvenirs.   Mostly, we are looking at each other with a kind of nervous giddiness.  We’ve put a lot of time into our preparations, but we won’t know how it all pays off until we step off the plane and greet our hosts for the first time.  We know that we’ll have the trip of a lifetime, but we can’t say yet what exactly the surprises, discoveries, and learnings will be.  It’s a great feeling!

We’ll try to keep everyone up to date on the final critical preparation steps (What?  It’s not exciting to everyone to hear the debate on how many pairs of socks, in which colors, and which quick-drying fabric, should be packed?  And how they should be folded for maximum space efficiency?)

While we don’t know yet how much time we’ll have to log on and blog from Korea, we will do our best to document our travels here.  I’m looking forward to the first entry I can make that says “We did it!  We’re here!  And so far no one has laughed at my attempts at Korean!”  (OK, the 3rd one might be a stretch.)

Getting Prepared

In less than one month the District 5100 GSE team will depart for South Korea. We, Alex, Don, Kari, Katherine, Kathy and I have been working very hard in preparation for this trip, most especially in learning enough Korean to enhance our learning experience, engage more in conversation with our hosts in District 3720 and to give our presentations in Korean. This is a great team of people, dedicated to getting the most out of this opportunity and in sharing goodwill a continent away. As we get closer to departure we are packing our bags, checking the weight, finalizing our gifts, practicing our speech, completing our taxes, finishing up loose ends at our jobs, and spending precious time with our family and pets.

As with many travel and adventures, the preparing seems long, once there the journey seems short, but the significance of both the preparation and the friendships will stay with us our lifetime. I am very excited to be a part of this team and this adventure.