Sunday, September 14, 2008

Seoul Cultural Experience

Happy Mooncake Festival!!

*yay!!*


ya la.. i know its going to be over in 2 more hours... -_____- im not in Malaysia this year to celebrate though.. was flying back to Korea from Frankfurt. So im in Korea now.
It is also the biggest holiday in Korea, but it is called Chusok:

"Chusok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Chusok means a great day in the middle of August. It occurs during the harvest season. Thus, Korean families take this time to thank their ancestors for providing them with rice and fruits.

The celebration starts on the night before Chusok and ends on the day after the holiday. Thus, many Korean families take three days off from work to get together with family and friends.
The celebration starts with a family get-together at which rice cakes called "Songphyun" are served. These special rice cakes are made of rice, beans, sesame seeds, and chestnuts. Then the family pays respect to ancestors by visiting their tombs and offering them rice and fruits. In the evening, children wear their favorite hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and dance under the bright moon in a large circle. They play games and sing songs. Like the American Thanksgiving, Chusok is the time to celebrate the family and give thanks for their blessings."

And I learnt that from Arirang tv... LOL!!

Im not here to blog bout Chusok ok...
Went to a company organised trip around korea last week. Purpose: to get us foreign crew to know more about the Korean culture.

Amy and me.

First;

Cruise in the Han River.

Korea major river that divides South Korea into 2.


passed by this building. kinda famous in Korea. Can see it in a few tv ads in Korea.


Got briefed by the organiser (guy in white) and his translator(lady in black)


Our "cruise ship"

It seems that this is a very special cruise ship. It only takes VIP and we a invited to ride it.. FOR FREE!!

*yay!!*

A 10 years old boat. with the MAXIMUM speed of 30km/hour. Gosh... -___- i drag the 1 hour journey down the nothing-to-see river bank. Tourism Korea is trying to follow other famous country with their rivers around the world: promoting their river.. But London got London bridge Korea got what?? And this the ship's 92nd trip down the river.

*woooooo*

wtf is going on with me?

KUL crew: Me. Amy, Celine.



the sucky group picture.

Cos the bloody China crew use her big ass head to block us. We were taking picture behind when they ask for group pic, thus we were at the back. 30 of us = nearly 30 cameras taking turns to take pictures! Imagine how long we posed! At first she's suppose to bend half so we are visible but after a few shots she got tired and stand up, NOT CONSIDERING THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE AT THE BACK!!

*grrr!!*


My outfit of the day...

dont i look soooooo sweet... hehehehehe... :P

Next:

Bongeunsa Temple.

A very ancient temple in the middle of the city! It is said to be 1200 years old with 13 sub-temples inside!



the main building

With paintings and murals telling the story of the origin of Buddha and master's teachings.


And inside filled with 3300 private small statues of the Buddha.






wow



look: ancient building inside, skyscrapper outside.


in front of Maitreya- the Buddha of the future statue.

Which said the Buddha will come in another how-many-billion years later..


only US highlighted.. :D

Laughing there cos the cameraman dropped one of the CHINA CREW's camera.. HAHA!


the 150 years old building.

and some ancient designed walls.

Lotus flower making:

We were brought into a room to make lotus flower.


petals laid in the middle of the table for our use


my choice of petals


First you need a mini paper cup attached with a wire.

the first layer of petals



Me concentrating in making the most beautiful lotus.. :P


my 90% finished lotus


Celine and her colorful lotus


And then the monk that only speaks Korean and thought us how to meditate. A 5 minutes meditation were done but most i did was trying to fall asleep without dropping my head.. lol...

Tea Ceremony:

Drinking tea consist of five senses. Listen to the water flowing into the pots and cups, Smell the aroma of the tea. See the color of the tea, Feel, and Taste the tea

the set up.



After pouring hot water into the teapots.


Putting in tea leaves

Pouring it into the cups


Putting it onto the saucer



Putting it onto the serving tray



our tea, with little sweet snacks to match.


And a souvenir from the temple.


ME and my lotus: trying to act cute.


Big drums and bells

SPICY OCTOPUS RICE DINNER

or other word: octopus bibimbab. The famous Bibimbap meal that the Korean L-O-V-E-S to eat. even when they are in other countries.. THEY CRAVED FOR IT. I dunno why.. -___-

Why I wont crave for nasi lemak when im away from home geh??


That octppus that soon become this:


Red hot and Spicy..


The veges


And you mix in rice

And all the octopus and sauce. Mix it up and enjoy.


Half way thru... T____T

Candid shots:


Extreme Break Dance Comedy

A non-verbal comedy done in a Break Dance Routine about 5 prisoners trying to break out from the Prison - in a very very hilarious way!! :D


the cast of the day


no pictures afterthat cos we were not allowed to take pictures in the teather. But I did found one of us in their website:


You see, she sat at the "special" seat where she was pulled out to act for a few minutes and result she got a Breakout magazine and a photoshoot!

A recomended to go and watch when you do come to Korea! ;P

visit http://www.breakout.co.kr/

their tickets cost KRW50,000 (RM150)


Photoshoot. This time WE STAND INFRONT!

Well end of trip! :)

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