It’s 2 weeks away, where did the time go?! It was last October that we were offered the chance to tour South Korea with a native Buddhist monk; last May when we bought our tickets to Seoul, and last night that I realized our trip was coming up in 2 weeks! Jojo, Tiffany, and I are beyond excited, and even further from packing. But that’s ok, we have 2 weeks right? I know I’m setting myself up for last minute, frenzied packing. That’s fine by me, as long as we all remember our passports. (Tiffany!)
Why South Korea, you ask? Aside from the delicious food, the beautiful mountains and scenery, the super cool Buddhist temples, and the karaoke clubs, this is something of a personal quest. My father, who passed away 11 years ago this October, was a Buddhist monk for the last 10 years of his life. He lived a modest and humble life in Korean Buddhist temples in Toronto, Canada and South Korea. He studied under the Venerable Hwasun Yangil ( we just call him Sunim), and meditated for hours on end. Searching for enlightenment? Who knows for sure? That’s not something he shared with us.
I wish I knew more about what he was thinking, what he was searching for, what he was dealing with. I wish we could have spent more time together as I matured into an adult. I wish I could have had long discussions about life, Buddhism, after life, state of mind, my favorite authors, his philosophies during different times of his life, music!!!, and everything else. So much I want to know about him, so little he spoke of anything. But that was the nature of a Buddhist monk, at least it was my dad’s nature.
I have no expectations for this trip to South Korea. I don’t know the itineary (Sunim has taken care of everything), I don’t even know what cities we’ll be visiting. All I know is that we are staying in temples. I don’t even know what I am searching for. I guess I hope to gain some clarity, or even open a window to my dad’s thoughts as I sit and meditate in the same temple in Korea.
Thanks for bearing with me and this long post. As a reward, I’ll post plenty of images for you to enjoy over the next few days. And I promise, my blog posts abroad will not ALL be this introspective. You know I’ve gotta post food pictures!
5 Comments
so i forgot my passport ONE time, big woop!
Of course, don’t forget your passports and check for travel requirements to Seoul, ie. visa, what to bring into the country, innoculation, etc. Also, it would be nice to bring some gifts to those who will be taking you to places of interest. Check the weather too for proper clothing. I think you now have to pay for a second luggage. Bring a Korean-English dictionary. You may also have to re-program your cell phones for international calling.
Sorry I can’t make this trip with you guys but we’ll go together next time. Love, Mom
yessss maaam
Hi there. Came across your website when I mistakenly entered my name into a Google search. I still use my maiden name (Feliciano) at work, am from the Philippines, am also a photo and camera bug, take thousands of pictures (none professionally yet), set up and work online albums and travel blogs when I can, and will be travelling to Nepal next week.
Enjoy your trip to South Korea – and don’t worry about packing – I haven’t started yet and I’m travelling in three days!!
That’s so cool, we have the same name! (well, my married name and your maiden name) Send me some links to your blogs/photo sites, I’d love to see your photos! And I definitely want to see pictures and hear your stories from Nepal. That’s on my list too. Stay in touch!