December 13, 2015
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Sleigh bells? Carols being sung by the fire? Hot cider and Christmas cookies? Twinkle lights everywhere? The fragrance of pine boughs and cinnamon?
NO... think again. It's December 13 in South Korea, so the appropriate activities are:
1. start making the giant batch of kimchi to last the whole year (the fragrance of garlic and anchovy)
2. or go to a Buddhist Temple.
We chose #2:
The Beomeosa Temple
just a quick subway trip and a short bus ride up the mountain
Not exactly the most cheerful...
This is Gate #2. The architecture and the attention to every detail is impeccable, displaying skill and craftsmanship. The brightly painted sections have been restored, but the building complex itself is 1,300 years old.
It was a beautiful day and I am about to enter Gate #1. There are three gates to get to the Buddha. On my right is our friend, Alma, from the English class. On my left is our Tour Guide. His English name is "Wayne". He named himself after John Wayne.
This is Gate #2. The architecture and the attention to every detail is impeccable, displaying skill and craftsmanship. The brightly painted sections have been restored, but the building complex itself is 1,300 years old.
More Angry Gods
The perfectly fitted stones have no mortar.
The final gate to Paradise
Behind us are tombs of the monks. The really exceptional monks have a turtle base.
We were not allowed to take pictures of the rooms containing statues of the Buddhas. Those rooms are very quiet, shoes off, hands out of pockets, people prostrating themselves over and over, and lots of incense and candles.The paintings all over the walls are beautiful - no doubt to teach people who were illiterate about Buddha.
#2 choice to visit colorful Buddhist temples instead of colorful twinkle lights and brightly painted walls instead of stained glass windows to tell the stories with Wayne and Alma sounds like THE thing to do! What an impact of culture Korea has for you...and it is fabulous that you are seeing all that you can. Even taking on the subway and buses would be too exotic for the faint of heart...you are courageous adventurers! I am proud. This will be a Christmas you will always remember. Can't wait to hear more...
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that it's already Monday in Korea, and it's still Sunday in the USA. So crazy.The Buddhist Temple looks so interesting. Much more fun that Kimchi making!
ReplyDeleteThe Buddhist temple is so cool. Mom - I love your humor about the Christmas/Kimchi contrast. BTW, Eliza thinks the Buddhist Gods look mad.
ReplyDeleteCool outing! Are you freezing--do you have mittens??
ReplyDelete