I recognise the characters these statues are supposed to represent but I'm far too busy being traumatised.
Hell, look at those expressions. Even the statues themselves know they are an affront.
Found these in a children's museum.
Showing posts with label Cultural Gap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cultural Gap. Show all posts
Monday, 20 May 2013
Copyright infringement gone horribly wrong
I recognise the characters these statues are supposed to represent but I'm far too busy being traumatised.
Hell, look at those expressions. Even the statues themselves know they are an affront.
Found these in a children's museum.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Temple Stay - Geumsansa
I went with Adventure Korea on a templestay to Geumsansa temple.
(Ironically on St. Patrick's weekend. I am a disgrace to my national stereotype.)
It's not just for idle foreigners either. Temple stays are open to all.
The object is to experience regular temple life, retreat from modern life and all that sort of thing.
(Despite the rules, we didn't seem to forsake our cameras or phones. I didn't take pictures inside any of the temples because that is just gauche.)
Personally, I would say the trip is worth it just for the fresh air. Geumsansa is on the slopes of Moaksan in Jeollabuk-do.
Hillwalking and mountain-climbing is Korea's favourite pastime (The first being co-ordinating your outfit with the rest of your walking group.) so while we were there there was an endless stream of hiking groups making their way through. They seemed to use the temple a their starting point before climbing the mountain. (or simply going for a nature ramble.) It can be arranged to have your dinner in the temple refectory if you want.
This is fairly common. Historically speaking temples were banned from city limits so a great many were built in the countryside among the mountains.
Geumsansa is a large complex with several smaller temples and shrines within it. It's notable for containing many significant historical artifacts. (Officially designated national treasures. One of the reasons for our strict curfew.) I recall one of the group complained about the protective covering over one burial site because their photos would be 'much better' if it wasn't there. =.= It's not as it there was a giant bilingual sign explaining the cover and the value of the monument right beside it...oh wait, yes there was.
Everything is also decorated in a very colorful manner.
We met in Seoul and took a bus down to Geumsamsa. (Stopping at a truckstop that I found quite expansive.)
We were issued with nametags and a schedule for our weekend. The workers at the temple were great. I think they were volunteers and 'parishioners' (For lack of an appropriate term). They helped organise us and served as assistants to the monks.
The first thing they did was dispense our temple gear which was a nice mixture of comfortable and durable even if the velcro ended up leaving a red mark on me later on. (I did like the little fastenings at the leg.)
We expected to be put into a 'dorm' but it ended up that Helen and I shared a room instead with neat little dual sliding doors (The extra set was a mosquito net.) I also had my first experience with what I reasonably assume to be a yo, which is just like a futon in concept except Korean. It was more comfortable than we expected although another night may have made it less so.
Then we were taught the proper ways to sit and bow.
At the end of the weekend I had crippling pain in my legs (Taekwondo was fun the next day I can tell you that much.) and a firm conviction that before spiritual fulfilment Buddhism is going to give you strong leg muscles.
We were also instructed when and where to bow and places that we were not allowed to go. We had to bow to monks we met on our way and they laughed at us silly foreigners.
After that, by consulting our handy-dandy timetable, we made lotus lanterns. Which is simple but fiddly and messy at the same time. The problem that struck me is that someone had to pre-make all of the 'petals' we used to stick onto the wire and paper base lantern. Sounds like a mild exercise in insanity. (Also someone used all the red 'petals' lickety-split and earned the silent buried wrath of about thirty people.)
Then we were instructed to write a 'wish'. I struggled with this. I don't actually believe in wishes so I just wrote something vague in Irish since it was the weekend of March 17th.
We ate lunch in the refectory where the rule seemed to be that if the monks appear you get out the way bitch. Oh and eat everything you take. (Another reason that Buddhism is good for your health.) There is no meat because they're vegetarian which is why I could not live the lifestyle in any form.
We had the evening ceremonies, where I learned that the monks of this sect have rhythm and mad drumming skills. We all got a chance to ring the bell to hell before sitting through evening ceremonies and walking meditation.
We ended the evening with a Q&A with the monk which was very interesting. I learned that nowadays monks must go to university much like priests at home. Unfortunately there were several stupid questions. The monk had unending patience but his opinion on some questions were apparant on his face. (The look basically said 'Give me strength')
Nothing to top the 'Hitler -reincarnation' question Stephanie heard on her temple stay. But a fair amount of silly questions. This monk was a young man and still in university pursuing an advanced qualification. He told us he liked soccer and later someone asked "What do you wear when you play soccer?" I think he wanted to leave when they asked that in all po-faced seriousness. (For the record, the answer was a soccer uniform.)
It was interesting to hear their concept of spiritual punishment (Hell is horrible, yes but you serve your time and you're out.), reincarnation and how the temple functions in general.
There was a 'dawn ceremony' which we could have opted out of. I did. The tour guide gushed about it being part of the experience but I couldn't wake up enough (at 3:00) to go there without tripping, falling, going back to sleep and/or gravely insulting the monks and the temple.
Also I had to get up before seven to reach the meeting point in time, I hadn't slept all day and this was after about two hours sleep.
At the regular meeting time we had morning meditation. (Where I learned how unflexible I still am. I get phantom pains just thinking about it.) Afterwards was a traditional formal monastic meal. We learned the special way to unstack the bowls, fold the cloth covers and serving the food. There are special movements to indicate you have enough too. It is strictly forbidden to take anything that you will not eat so I had a small breakfast, not caring much for radish.
This included a special way to wash the dishes. If you do it right then your water should be mostly clean. It's then used in a special ceremony to slack the thirst of those suffering in hell.
Then came the communal work. ("Woo! Free labour." shout the monks.) One group whose dish water was not sufficiently clean had to wash dishes. Our group was sent to sweep up the yards of leaves.
Pro tip: Watch out for hibernating frogs. I nearly killed one. Oops. Not the kind of karma I needed.
Afterall those splintery brooms we went for a walk in the mountains which was very nice indeed.A brief respite before the arduous task before us. We had to make a necklace of prayer beads - 108 to be precise.
To put one bead on your necklace you need to perform one full bow. This involves a half bow at the waist, kneeling down, placing your hands flat on the mat, placing your forehead flat on the mat, reversing your hands before raising them up while you remain face down. Then you have to reverse all of these movements to get back up. That is exactly one bow (and worth one bead) and you must kneel down and get up in a special manner.
To sum up this part: "Oh god, my legs."
That was pretty much everything we did. I enjoyed it despite my lack of leg strength. It was definitely an interesting experience.
(Ironically on St. Patrick's weekend. I am a disgrace to my national stereotype.)
It's not just for idle foreigners either. Temple stays are open to all.
The object is to experience regular temple life, retreat from modern life and all that sort of thing.
(Despite the rules, we didn't seem to forsake our cameras or phones. I didn't take pictures inside any of the temples because that is just gauche.)
Personally, I would say the trip is worth it just for the fresh air. Geumsansa is on the slopes of Moaksan in Jeollabuk-do.
Hillwalking and mountain-climbing is Korea's favourite pastime (The first being co-ordinating your outfit with the rest of your walking group.) so while we were there there was an endless stream of hiking groups making their way through. They seemed to use the temple a their starting point before climbing the mountain. (or simply going for a nature ramble.) It can be arranged to have your dinner in the temple refectory if you want.
This is fairly common. Historically speaking temples were banned from city limits so a great many were built in the countryside among the mountains.
Geumsansa is a large complex with several smaller temples and shrines within it. It's notable for containing many significant historical artifacts. (Officially designated national treasures. One of the reasons for our strict curfew.) I recall one of the group complained about the protective covering over one burial site because their photos would be 'much better' if it wasn't there. =.= It's not as it there was a giant bilingual sign explaining the cover and the value of the monument right beside it...oh wait, yes there was.
Everything is also decorated in a very colorful manner.
We met in Seoul and took a bus down to Geumsamsa. (Stopping at a truckstop that I found quite expansive.)
We were issued with nametags and a schedule for our weekend. The workers at the temple were great. I think they were volunteers and 'parishioners' (For lack of an appropriate term). They helped organise us and served as assistants to the monks.
The first thing they did was dispense our temple gear which was a nice mixture of comfortable and durable even if the velcro ended up leaving a red mark on me later on. (I did like the little fastenings at the leg.)
We expected to be put into a 'dorm' but it ended up that Helen and I shared a room instead with neat little dual sliding doors (The extra set was a mosquito net.) I also had my first experience with what I reasonably assume to be a yo, which is just like a futon in concept except Korean. It was more comfortable than we expected although another night may have made it less so.
Then we were taught the proper ways to sit and bow.
At the end of the weekend I had crippling pain in my legs (Taekwondo was fun the next day I can tell you that much.) and a firm conviction that before spiritual fulfilment Buddhism is going to give you strong leg muscles.
We were also instructed when and where to bow and places that we were not allowed to go. We had to bow to monks we met on our way and they laughed at us silly foreigners.
After that, by consulting our handy-dandy timetable, we made lotus lanterns. Which is simple but fiddly and messy at the same time. The problem that struck me is that someone had to pre-make all of the 'petals' we used to stick onto the wire and paper base lantern. Sounds like a mild exercise in insanity. (Also someone used all the red 'petals' lickety-split and earned the silent buried wrath of about thirty people.)
Then we were instructed to write a 'wish'. I struggled with this. I don't actually believe in wishes so I just wrote something vague in Irish since it was the weekend of March 17th.
We ate lunch in the refectory where the rule seemed to be that if the monks appear you get out the way bitch. Oh and eat everything you take. (Another reason that Buddhism is good for your health.) There is no meat because they're vegetarian which is why I could not live the lifestyle in any form.
We had the evening ceremonies, where I learned that the monks of this sect have rhythm and mad drumming skills. We all got a chance to ring the bell to hell before sitting through evening ceremonies and walking meditation.
We ended the evening with a Q&A with the monk which was very interesting. I learned that nowadays monks must go to university much like priests at home. Unfortunately there were several stupid questions. The monk had unending patience but his opinion on some questions were apparant on his face. (The look basically said 'Give me strength')
Nothing to top the 'Hitler -reincarnation' question Stephanie heard on her temple stay. But a fair amount of silly questions. This monk was a young man and still in university pursuing an advanced qualification. He told us he liked soccer and later someone asked "What do you wear when you play soccer?" I think he wanted to leave when they asked that in all po-faced seriousness. (For the record, the answer was a soccer uniform.)
It was interesting to hear their concept of spiritual punishment (Hell is horrible, yes but you serve your time and you're out.), reincarnation and how the temple functions in general.
There was a 'dawn ceremony' which we could have opted out of. I did. The tour guide gushed about it being part of the experience but I couldn't wake up enough (at 3:00) to go there without tripping, falling, going back to sleep and/or gravely insulting the monks and the temple.
Also I had to get up before seven to reach the meeting point in time, I hadn't slept all day and this was after about two hours sleep.
At the regular meeting time we had morning meditation. (Where I learned how unflexible I still am. I get phantom pains just thinking about it.) Afterwards was a traditional formal monastic meal. We learned the special way to unstack the bowls, fold the cloth covers and serving the food. There are special movements to indicate you have enough too. It is strictly forbidden to take anything that you will not eat so I had a small breakfast, not caring much for radish.
This included a special way to wash the dishes. If you do it right then your water should be mostly clean. It's then used in a special ceremony to slack the thirst of those suffering in hell.
Then came the communal work. ("Woo! Free labour." shout the monks.) One group whose dish water was not sufficiently clean had to wash dishes. Our group was sent to sweep up the yards of leaves.
Pro tip: Watch out for hibernating frogs. I nearly killed one. Oops. Not the kind of karma I needed.
Afterall those splintery brooms we went for a walk in the mountains which was very nice indeed.A brief respite before the arduous task before us. We had to make a necklace of prayer beads - 108 to be precise.
To put one bead on your necklace you need to perform one full bow. This involves a half bow at the waist, kneeling down, placing your hands flat on the mat, placing your forehead flat on the mat, reversing your hands before raising them up while you remain face down. Then you have to reverse all of these movements to get back up. That is exactly one bow (and worth one bead) and you must kneel down and get up in a special manner.
To sum up this part: "Oh god, my legs."
That was pretty much everything we did. I enjoyed it despite my lack of leg strength. It was definitely an interesting experience.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
House of Sharing
A little while back Helen invited me along on a tour group she'd signed up for.
The House of Sharing is southeeast of Seoul in Gyeonggi province. The establishment has had a troubled history in Seoul and had to move several times before they gathered funds to build the current complex they use in the countryside in 1995. Along with residences, there is a museum, several art installations, memorials, a reconstruction of a comfort station (a much more spacious, well lit and hygienic one according to the survivors who viewed it) and meeting rooms. Due to the age of the residences it is a lot like a nursing home but what it specifically is, is a safehouse for former comfort women.
I had heard the term 'comfort woman' before but I misunderstood the details. I thought it was simply a euphemism for prostitute coined during the Second World War but it's actually more complex and bluntly horrible.
A 'comfort woman' is a female (A large percent could not really be called adults) who were abducted and/or tricked to leave home for work before being forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military in 'Comfort Stations'. They were held as prisoners mostly in tiny dark little cells, abused, assaulted and many of them simply died.
Many of the specifics are now lost ot us for several reasons.
The first, is that when the war began to draw to a close the official in charge did what many were doing at the time and destroyed the paper trail. (Putting aside the fact that a paper trail existed for military brothels filled with slaves for the moment.)
The next is that a great many of these women disappeared. Some died of disease or the primitive forced abortions. Others were absorbed into the country where they had been transported. Some have been discovered, unable to speak their mother tongue after more than sixty years elsewhere isolated from their country.
It seems to have been determined that this official sanctioned version of rape began in 1932 in response to reports of Japanes soldiers raping women. In my opinion such logic can only be obscene arrogance or complete insanity.
It may be a mixture of both. As of now, the Japanese government refuses to issue an official apology or acknowledgement. [I'm glad to note that the Irish government gave one to the victims of the Magdalene Laundries. See, Japan. Is that so hard?]
Every Wednesday at 12:00pm since January 8th 1992 the survivors and their supporters gather outside the embassy to protest. Their response is to close all the doors, windows and blinds to block out the elderly Korean ladies. (It is officially the longest running protest in the world.)
We were brought by bus out to the house. The group watched a video, had a discussion and went to the museum. One of the main guides was an American girl. She could be a bit leading attempting to get her audience to give her specific answers, especially considering that the group was composed of intelligent adults that came there willingly. The evidence speaks for itself so it was a bit unnecessary. However she was very passionate and outraged about her cause.
We saw maps of movements (most women to transported to different countries to help prevent escape), reconstructions of 'comfort stations' and much of artwork (Art Therapy is big here) before talking to the survivors. There were also 'relics' from deceased survivors.
Very few of these women have families of any sort, those opportunities having being robbed from them. They are addressed by the respectful 'Halmoni' which means Grandmother
The truth is that many of these women understandably did not wish to speak out about their experiences. It take a certain kind of spine to out yourself through more heartache and suffering. They felt, naturally enough, ashamed and traumatised. Talking to one of the residents, it seemed to me that she only 'came out' as a survivor because she had no choice. She was getting too old and sick to live alone and had to deal with both the government and her church trying to find a relative to live with or else why she seemed to have none.
Helen felt embarrassed when she asked the Halmoni what she did for Seollnal and got the response 'Nothing. Everyone went home so we were alone.'
I had to point out that she had beat me to the punch as I was about to ask that. 'What did you do last weekend?' is a simple enough question afterall.
We weren't actually allowed, and we were warned pretty strictly about this, to ask them anything about their experiences and you know what that's fine. Why would they want to talk about those things with every gawker passing through especially when we'd already been given a pretty thorough rundown a half hour before.
That being said I nearly leaned over to give the guy next to me a clip around the ear when he did just that. (There were a good few stupid questions that day.) The Halmoni did give an answer as well as a deflection. She said she didn't like Japanese and didn't want to talk about them. Who can blame her?
Of the survivors that have come out with their stories only about half a dozen remain. (It's undeniable that the Japanese government is simply waiting for these elderly ladies to die.) There are those biding their time and then there are assholes like Toru Hashimoto. Way to go Toru, way to make your country proud.
The House of Sharing continues their weekly protests and accepts visitors year round.
The House of Sharing is southeeast of Seoul in Gyeonggi province. The establishment has had a troubled history in Seoul and had to move several times before they gathered funds to build the current complex they use in the countryside in 1995. Along with residences, there is a museum, several art installations, memorials, a reconstruction of a comfort station (a much more spacious, well lit and hygienic one according to the survivors who viewed it) and meeting rooms. Due to the age of the residences it is a lot like a nursing home but what it specifically is, is a safehouse for former comfort women.
I had heard the term 'comfort woman' before but I misunderstood the details. I thought it was simply a euphemism for prostitute coined during the Second World War but it's actually more complex and bluntly horrible.
A 'comfort woman' is a female (A large percent could not really be called adults) who were abducted and/or tricked to leave home for work before being forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military in 'Comfort Stations'. They were held as prisoners mostly in tiny dark little cells, abused, assaulted and many of them simply died.
Many of the specifics are now lost ot us for several reasons.
The first, is that when the war began to draw to a close the official in charge did what many were doing at the time and destroyed the paper trail. (Putting aside the fact that a paper trail existed for military brothels filled with slaves for the moment.)
The next is that a great many of these women disappeared. Some died of disease or the primitive forced abortions. Others were absorbed into the country where they had been transported. Some have been discovered, unable to speak their mother tongue after more than sixty years elsewhere isolated from their country.
It seems to have been determined that this official sanctioned version of rape began in 1932 in response to reports of Japanes soldiers raping women. In my opinion such logic can only be obscene arrogance or complete insanity.
It may be a mixture of both. As of now, the Japanese government refuses to issue an official apology or acknowledgement. [I'm glad to note that the Irish government gave one to the victims of the Magdalene Laundries. See, Japan. Is that so hard?]
Every Wednesday at 12:00pm since January 8th 1992 the survivors and their supporters gather outside the embassy to protest. Their response is to close all the doors, windows and blinds to block out the elderly Korean ladies. (It is officially the longest running protest in the world.)
We were brought by bus out to the house. The group watched a video, had a discussion and went to the museum. One of the main guides was an American girl. She could be a bit leading attempting to get her audience to give her specific answers, especially considering that the group was composed of intelligent adults that came there willingly. The evidence speaks for itself so it was a bit unnecessary. However she was very passionate and outraged about her cause.
We saw maps of movements (most women to transported to different countries to help prevent escape), reconstructions of 'comfort stations' and much of artwork (Art Therapy is big here) before talking to the survivors. There were also 'relics' from deceased survivors.
Very few of these women have families of any sort, those opportunities having being robbed from them. They are addressed by the respectful 'Halmoni' which means Grandmother
The truth is that many of these women understandably did not wish to speak out about their experiences. It take a certain kind of spine to out yourself through more heartache and suffering. They felt, naturally enough, ashamed and traumatised. Talking to one of the residents, it seemed to me that she only 'came out' as a survivor because she had no choice. She was getting too old and sick to live alone and had to deal with both the government and her church trying to find a relative to live with or else why she seemed to have none.
Helen felt embarrassed when she asked the Halmoni what she did for Seollnal and got the response 'Nothing. Everyone went home so we were alone.'
I had to point out that she had beat me to the punch as I was about to ask that. 'What did you do last weekend?' is a simple enough question afterall.
We weren't actually allowed, and we were warned pretty strictly about this, to ask them anything about their experiences and you know what that's fine. Why would they want to talk about those things with every gawker passing through especially when we'd already been given a pretty thorough rundown a half hour before.
That being said I nearly leaned over to give the guy next to me a clip around the ear when he did just that. (There were a good few stupid questions that day.) The Halmoni did give an answer as well as a deflection. She said she didn't like Japanese and didn't want to talk about them. Who can blame her?
Of the survivors that have come out with their stories only about half a dozen remain. (It's undeniable that the Japanese government is simply waiting for these elderly ladies to die.) There are those biding their time and then there are assholes like Toru Hashimoto. Way to go Toru, way to make your country proud.
The House of Sharing continues their weekly protests and accepts visitors year round.
Friday, 17 May 2013
Larva
'Larva' is something I first encountered on the subway. In between stops before the display starts announcing the next stop these little shorts play.
In the tradition of gross-out humor and violent slapstick this series motly follows the lives of 'red larva' and 'yellow larva' as they eat gross things, fight over it and get beaten to within an inch of their existence by their opponents.
The kids love it. Personally, while I think the writing and animation is pretty solid I'm just not really a fan of that sort of humor.
The tag-line is 'incredible comic show' and well, judge for yourself here.
Miaow
On a trip into town we went looking for a cafe called 'The Pie Hole' that Helen had visited. Instead we found this.
Cue squealing and hysterical laughter along with a strong case of 'THIS, I gotta see'
This particular branch was in Shinchon. There are several more, bigger too, in places like Hondae and various airports.
As you can see they really went all out with the theme. There's silhouettes cut into everything and logos stamped absolutely everywhere.
Honestly, it's really for the best that they focused on decor. The food and service wasn't the best especially for what you're paying.
[The above picture has mysteriously rotated. Weird.] At least the latte art was cute.
Adorable foul-tasting cookies. :D All of the food served has a Hello Kitty theme and is reputedly 'meh'. No one seems to praise the food in these places. This is another establishment where you are not attending for the consumables at any rate.
The cafe was crazy busy and only started to quiet down when we were getting ready to leave. The staff were on the hop constantly.
They gave us (cute) disposable cups which is really common in cafes anyway. I got to watch a woman, in a reality tv style fascination, as she spent several minutes holding up the line and arguing with the staff in english because she wanted one of their mugs and not a paper mug finding it super offensive/being too good for one/being allergic/she just wanted one.
She wasn't particularly clear on that point. The staff simply repeated their policy of disposable cups only when they're busy saying they don't have time to collect and wash mugs then. (We could see this to be true.)
Either way, lady there's a hell of a line behind your outrage.
Everything else being said I did indulge myself and my inner eight-year-old. Hanbok!Kitty to go with my Furisode!Kitty.
Hello Kitty Cafe. The food kinda sucks. But the decoration may rot your teeth with sugary sweet cuteness.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Taekwondo
I'm not the sporty type.....at all.
Despite all of the muscle pain (watching me climb stairs must have been prime entertainment material) it was a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed it. When you nail a kick on the target it can be oddly satisfying.
We're pretty sure they went easy on us because we're weak little foreigners. (Me in particular. Helen, however, must have some Glaswegian brawler in her.)
"Aoife! Why you so tired?"
"I'm old and weak."
So I explain to Master Kim whois only about 18 and can do pretty amazing flying spin kicks in the air.
I do admittedly lack a certain fighting spirit. When we started to learn sparring or break boards I was wimpy and sissy about it. Basically Scooby Doo.
My yellow streak aside, let me say "Do it, do it, do it"
Taekwondo is great! A large portion of it is simply fitness (Needs work) and balance.
Some of the stances I found difficult because I have no muscle strength At. All. My mantra is always "Needs more training. Needs lots more training."
Despite all that I did manage to get a belt.
Why am I in the middle? The test is super formal and intimidating. I mixed up all my blocks and I took this test with a chesty cough, which I managed to surpress but I was still very short of breath. Boo my luck.
On the plus side I broke this with my kick. Not very impressive by comparative standards but pretty damn good for me.
Unfortunately, the girls were leaving then. First Stephanie left, then Helen did leaving me alone at training. Bwaaaaaaahh. TT_TT.
It's a lot more fun training with others. But not long before I ended my classes for my return home I got my next belt! :)
Personally I don't think I should have gotten it since I messed up a good few times but I did so yayss. (Behold how articulate I am.)
Green belt ahoy. This calls for more training. You don't get that black belt by standing still.
Nevertheless, when Stephanie and Helen found a Taekwondo place I went "Ooh, me too."
Here we are a few weeks into our white belt. My dobok makes me look fat(ter). :C
Master Yu, our main teacher is in the middle. Master Kim, beside Helen, took on a lot of our basic training.
Poor guys, putting up with us.
Despite all of the muscle pain (watching me climb stairs must have been prime entertainment material) it was a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed it. When you nail a kick on the target it can be oddly satisfying.
I learned a lot about the philosophy, manners and the masters were always particular about correcting our technique.
We're pretty sure they went easy on us because we're weak little foreigners. (Me in particular. Helen, however, must have some Glaswegian brawler in her.)
"Aoife! Why you so tired?"
"I'm old and weak."
So I explain to Master Kim whois only about 18 and can do pretty amazing flying spin kicks in the air.
I do admittedly lack a certain fighting spirit. When we started to learn sparring or break boards I was wimpy and sissy about it. Basically Scooby Doo.
My yellow streak aside, let me say "Do it, do it, do it"
Taekwondo is great! A large portion of it is simply fitness (Needs work) and balance.
Some of the stances I found difficult because I have no muscle strength At. All. My mantra is always "Needs more training. Needs lots more training."
Despite all that I did manage to get a belt.
Why am I in the middle? The test is super formal and intimidating. I mixed up all my blocks and I took this test with a chesty cough, which I managed to surpress but I was still very short of breath. Boo my luck.
Unfortunately, the girls were leaving then. First Stephanie left, then Helen did leaving me alone at training. Bwaaaaaaahh. TT_TT.
It's a lot more fun training with others. But not long before I ended my classes for my return home I got my next belt! :)
Personally I don't think I should have gotten it since I messed up a good few times but I did so yayss. (Behold how articulate I am.)
Green belt ahoy. This calls for more training. You don't get that black belt by standing still.
A Present
I swear to god, you have no idea how close I came to getting Fearghal one of these.
The expression on his face, and everyone else, would have been wonderful.
Saturday, 9 March 2013
Why aren't there more?
A pagoda praying for traffic safety. Why isn't there one of these on every block?
My experience with traffic in Korea is mostly like below. The green walk man means nothing to these drivers.
Haedong Yonggungsa - Busan Part Two
There's a lot of things at this temple that I didn't take pictures of or mention (and I won't).
No, I'm not going to make your life easier by telling you.
Anyways, Buddha Santa Claus. (Their description, not mine)
His proper name is Podaehwasang or Mandeokbul. (One thing I have learned about Buddhism is the many of the central figures have multiple names and incarnations.)
Hall of the Dragon King. (Yonggungdan) Everyone knows that dragons deserve pimped out pads.
................for obvious reasons. That and Buddha apparantly rides a dragon when it is appropriate to do so.
Here, have some merciful goddess. This statue is the Sea Kwaynin Buddha and is known for granting the wishes for those who pray for it. This seems to entitle this statue to the best view and you can see the entire temple from up here.
I believe this statue is of the the Yaksa Bodhisatva (Yaksa Yeoraebul) who is associated with mercy from death. They ritually release animals back into the ocean here.
I've probably gotten it a bit off but from what I have been told, a bodhisatva is someone who has attained enlightenment but instead of ascending to nirvana they remain on a lower plane to assist mortals.
There's a lot at this temple I haven't touched on. I will caution you that it is mildly steep and there are a lot stairs. (No, it's not wheelchair accessible) So, last thing here.
The pig is representative of a large family and wealth. >:3
Here we are by the golden pigs, hoping it helps.
No, I'm not going to make your life easier by telling you.
Anyways, Buddha Santa Claus. (Their description, not mine)
His proper name is Podaehwasang or Mandeokbul. (One thing I have learned about Buddhism is the many of the central figures have multiple names and incarnations.)
Hall of the Dragon King. (Yonggungdan) Everyone knows that dragons deserve pimped out pads.
................for obvious reasons. That and Buddha apparantly rides a dragon when it is appropriate to do so.
Here, have some merciful goddess. This statue is the Sea Kwaynin Buddha and is known for granting the wishes for those who pray for it. This seems to entitle this statue to the best view and you can see the entire temple from up here.
I've probably gotten it a bit off but from what I have been told, a bodhisatva is someone who has attained enlightenment but instead of ascending to nirvana they remain on a lower plane to assist mortals.
There's a lot at this temple I haven't touched on. I will caution you that it is mildly steep and there are a lot stairs. (No, it's not wheelchair accessible) So, last thing here.
The pig is representative of a large family and wealth. >:3
Here we are by the golden pigs, hoping it helps.
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