"This day, Kaechon-jol, also called Tan'gun Day, commorates the mythical founding of the Korean nation in 2333 B.C. by the legendary god-king Tan'gun. A simple ceremony is held at the alter on top of Mani-san on Kanghwa-do. The alter is said to have been erected by Tan'gun to offer thanks to his father and grandfather, gods of heaven."
So there it is, and well, we walked around on Friday and there were people about celebrating. We went to the water front and there was a concert going on down by the water front.
Ellen - are you trying not to laugh your tail off at the brutal dancing onstage and pop Korean music....don't be like that!!!What is a foundation day without some standard fair rides. Like this favourite...ride the swinging thing in the back of my mini pick-up!!! (it was the ONLY ride there)
We also went up a little Mt. Ibamsan. We went looking for a place to sit, read and relax. We ran into this nice family, who invited us to celebrate with them (notice dad is a little rosie in the cheeks...) They were having some holiday drinks and some Korean food. We tried to squeeze by, but they were on us to try some of their picnic treats. Here we are trying it:
They gave us each a piece of Songpyon....we both new what it was as we had just taught a class last week that had us using the word. We both mentioned the word and they cheered like we had just resolved the financial crisis. What is Songpyon?"Songpyon is one of special foods for Chuseok, one of Korean traditional holidays and Songpyon is a rice cake filled with various fillings such as beans, chestnuts or sesame seeds and steamed with pine needles."
You may also note that Ellen scored huge. She also received a single grape! Lucky gal.
All this excitement and it's only friday. We did find a place to sit and relax. It was really nice actually and the weather was perfect. Low 20's with little humidity and a slight breeze off the water.
Saturday, Oct. 4th (going to the beach!)
We did still want to get a little away on Saturday, so we ventured to Jindo. It was a 50 minute bus ride....to the island. Once on the island, we had to wait for a local bus to bring us to the beach. After a small adventure through the streets of the island, passing people drying their rice and carrying giant rice sacs on their scooters, we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere. People in Korea this time of year do not go to the beach. We were alone. Whole beach to ourselves. Nice quiet time...had a pear and some treats. Low key day.
Here is a picture of my movie star gorgeous wife on the beach talking to her admin assistant that drives here to school everyday. We had been invited to go to her family for the weekend, but would have had to stay overnight. It was a very generous offer, but we were not up to it.
Here we are getting ready to head back to our cozy home back in Mokpo.
Really nice weekend actually. We went for Korean BBQ on the Sat night. Sunday was low key as well. Reading, listened to the Montreal Canadiens game on the radio live on the laptop. Also found www.nintendo8.com You can play all the old games. Played Castlevania, 1942, Kings of the Beach....felt like I was 12 again. We had a great rest though and feel great. We also made some homemade perogies and made 3 Sheppard pies. Yum. Froze two and are having one tonight after the gym!! Later.
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