Pamela 的个人资料Una Latina en Asia照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
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10月16日 Two weeks in KoreaLots can happen in only two weeks - which is why I've had to combine all the things I've done into one photo album and blog entry. I hope you don't mind.
Last weekend was a long weekend. We had 4 glorious days of a weekend and the weather was beautiful. Chuseok, or Korean thanksgiving, couldn't have been better. Most of my Korean friends went to their home towns to visit family and friends and some of my foreign friends had gone away for the weekend. But the rest of use who stayed around were happy to spend Chuseok together. There were about 20 people who came bearing food and alchohol. My neighbour had lent me his speakers so the music was bumping away all night and we even got to do a little dancing in my living room near the end of the night. The party went on until 3am and I was exhausted.
The following day, my friends Bryan, Seungik and I headed out in search of lunch. We ended up having a really tasty Shabu Shabu lunch with tons of vegetables, beef and noodles. Yum yum. From there were walked around and came across the Seoul Drum Festival! It turns out the opening ceremonies were to start in a few hours. So we hung around and got to see wonderful percussionists from Singapore, Japan, Korea and... somewhere else. It was really great.
Then, this weekend, I embarked on another free tour with the Seoul Music Festival, Korean government and Seoul Selection. I was a little more social this time and met some intersting people but I mostly hung out by myself enjoying the history of Gangwha Island. Gangwha Island is about an hour and a half from Seoul. In times of war, it is the last major stronghold before reaching Seoul. The entire area has seen quite a bit of action over the years starting with the Mongolians, then the French, Americans and finally, the Japanese. The island is mainly forested hills and is connected to the rest of the peninsula by two bridges. When the Mongols invaded Korea in 1232, the GOryeo king and court fled here and stayed nearly 40 years until 1270. In the 1860s and 70s French, American and Japanese warships separately attacked and invaded the island.
Through the Seoul Music Festival we were treated to traditional Korean music and dance at the monk's retreat. The setting was incredibly peaceful and our monk tour guide talked to us about our soul's being like the ocean - every turning and we need to make it calmer. One of the ways he said we an calm our watered souls is by preserving nature and learning to embrace it. He also strongly recommends staying at a temple stay retreat. I think I might just have to do that before I leave Korea.
Pictures are available. Bisous! Besos! 10月10日 NUCLEAR-Shmuclear!!My parents called me in a frantic state considering the actions just north of here. But I scoff in the face of nuclear disaster... well... to be honest... it terrifies me but I really don't think there is any real danger. (Call it ignorant bliss?!?)
Yes, the economy will suffer slightly. Yes, there is a potential for nuclear warfare. Yes, the Canadian government has yet to issue a notice to its thousands of citizens living here (all the other embassies have issued notices, why the Canadian government has not, is beyond me!). But I really don't think Kim Jong Il would really decide to attack the south - his nation is suffering from drought, floods and famine for goodness sake! Yes, the government has enough plutonium to build seven atomic bombs but... if they build them, will they launch?
What really frightens me is how South Korea is now cowering and calling out for it's mommy: the United States. Here's a quote from an office worker in an article in the Korea Herald (not a very good paper, might I add), "We have to work on forming a good relationship with the United States from now on." AUGH! This after months of talk of getting Korea to be much more independent, militarily speaking, from the US. And now, it seems like they're calling on Mr. High & Mighty Saviour Bush to come and save them. That's what's most unnerving about this whole thing!
Most Koreans appear to be worried about the economy and the effect this nuclear test up north will have on business and foreign investment. But if there's one this this country is renowned for is its ability to bounce back. It's taken the country less than 50 years to pick itself up from ruins after the Korean war to be the 11th most powerful country in the world. It took them less than 10 years to pick up the economic pieces after the IMF crisis. Whatever happens will happen - no one can control it.
For the time being, I am still living happily and safely in Seoul. Although the thought of a nuclear blast hitting the city terrifies me - I'll hope for the best. Thanks everyone for your concern. I'll have some fun pics of my Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) party & weekend up soon - to keep my blog light and fun.
PS: A little more than a month before I see my friends Vic, Lettice and Alice in Hong Kong! YEAH!!! After many, many years of dating, Vic and Lettice are finally tying the knot. And as promised, I will be there to witness it. Although Clara cannot come, she'll be there in spirit. My thoughts are with you and your sister, Clari. Lots of kisses. 10月2日 Damyang Music Festival Day TripThe Korean Music Festival, Ministy of Cuture and Tourism, Korean Herald and Seoul Selection organized a day-trip to Damyang in the province of Jeollanam-do, south of Seoul. Historically, Damyang has served as a place of exile. During the Joseon era (1392-1910), the losing side in one of the bitter factional disputes between rival scholars - officials that plagued the dynasty would often seek refuge in the densely wooded hillsides and bamboo groves of the region. There they would lie as genteman scholars, sparating themselves from the corruption of official ife and dedicating their lives to the pursuit of Confusican knowledge.
The tour is part of a series of four where foreigners can experience Korean music in serene places in the country. The best part is that these tours are absolutely free! The day-trip started at 7am and I returned to Seoul at 11pm. It was quite exhausting but I had a great time.
Located just north of Gwangju, Damyang is a richly forested area with deep connections to Korean traditional arts and literature. It is home to Korea's largest bamboo groves and some of the country's most representative examples of Korean garden landscaping and architecture. The tour, focused on bamboo instruments such as the bamboo flute (daegeum). A performance of traditional Korean music was given at the Jungnokwon, a fine musical venue located deep in a bamboo forest. Damyang is the home of gasa poetry, a form of lyrical poetry that told tales of love, nature and exile - not surprising given the circumstances of the regions inhabitants. We also visited the Gwanbangjelim Forest, whose embankment was built long ago to control flooding along the river, and the Soswaewon Garden, the best example of Korean garden design anywhere in the country.
The trip was absolutely beautiful, picturesque and serene. I came back to Seoul with an renewed appreciation of its past, music and people. Pictures are attached. |
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