Eunjeoksa

I pass a sign to Eunjeoksa Temple every day on my short drive to work. This weekend, I decided to see this local temple for myself.

It was still snowing when I set out, but it was a very light snowfall. There were several families out and about, enjoying their holiday weekend. The temple was located at the rear end of a park criscrossed with mountain paths, statues and shrines, and little stone bridges. Parks in Korea also include music and several food options, from vending machines to food stalls to restaurants. I saw a lighted sign about halfway up the path. There was someone pushing something on a megaphone. I have asked about these, and Koreans say the megaphone people are trying to sell something. Megaphones are so ubiquitous here that I think there must be stiff competition.

As I went up the mountain, the crowd thinned a bit. The temple had a sign in English telling me that the temple was first constructed in 927 AD, when Korea was divided into three kingdoms. One kingdom was fighting another, and the king of a neighboring dynasty came to Daegu to help defend it. (Daegu is next door to Gyeongju, the seat of the Silla dynasty). He was besieged and found refuge in a cave, which was suddenly surrounded mist and (or?) spider webs. He founded Eunjeoksa to thank the gods for saving him.

It was lovely and quaint, nestled on a peak. From the entrance to the main shrine I could see the neighboring mountains. There was glass in front of the shrine, and the golden Buddha inside appeared to be inside of the reflection of the mountains. A man was building a snowman outside of the temple with his children. There were scenes from the life of the Buddha painted on all of the buildings.

Temples in Korea all have a similar appearance, but I've yet to tire of them.

By the way, the trip downtown was nearly unfruitful. Not only were there no New Years activities, almost nothing was open. We did find a movie theater and a good sushi restaurant, but it took some searching. The good news: the subway was nearly empty.



A lighted sign on the path













Random gazebo

















One of the temple buildings














Painting on the side of the temple (hmmm, what does that look like to you?)

President's Valentine's New Year

Well, this was day one of my lovely three day weekend, thanks to President's Day. Incidentally, it's also Lunar New Year, which is a big holiday over here. I asked my guys if there was anything going on for migu (Americans) around town, but apparently there's nothing. Korean New Year, unlike Chinese New Year, is a pretty family oriented event. I was hoping for paper lanterns and dragon parades, and I couldn't hide my dismay.

Nevertheless, there's definitely a holiday atmosphere around here. I could barely get through the door at the Home Plus, as everyone was shopping for the big meals they'll make this weekend. The roads are clogged, as we were warned in advance they would be. On Korean New Year, everyone goes home to be with their families. More specifically, everyone gathers at the oldest male's house (wives go with their husband's families). Train tickets sell out weeks in advance, so there was no thought of traveling on this three day weekend. Incidentally, I saw more than one young Korean couple saying goodbye to each other for what I imagine is a long-dreaded event—a weekend spent with grandmothers and ancestors and far from ones friends and girlfriends. Adolescence, I've discovered, knows no nationality.

This weekend we also have a houseguest. Blackjack was boarding at Bobby's animal hospital, but no one will be around to watch him this weekend, so we took him in. It's certainly no chore. Jack has not left Bobby's side, and though he claims to be annoyed, I know Bobby doesn't feel complete without an animal sidekick. It's been snowing for two days, though there's no accumulation on the roads.

Tomorrow I will go downtown to contest this rumor of no public events for Lunar New Year. More on this later.


Bobby and Blackjack


















Snow on our mountain










Kimchi jars. Making kimchi is a complicated process that I haven't learned about, but the jars are integral. Alls I know is kimchi is available, well, everywhere, though I suppose I will have to learn to make it before I leave.









I finally brought my camera to a restaurant. This is gumtang, a.k.a ox tail soup. The metal container has rice in it, and long box is filled with spoons and chopsticks.