Fall Highlights: Chuseok

Wow--I know it's been a couple of months since the Chuseok holiday here in Korea, but, since I'm playing catchup, I thought I'd share some photos.  This is the first installment of 'fall highlights.'  Since I've already posted 'fall travels' (and this was pre-Tashi, people, so don't worry.  Tashi, we've discovered, gets car sick, so we're grounded for the time being), posting fall highlights sounded like a great idea.  So much has happened over the past couple of months that I just can't resist reminiscing.  First stop, of course, is Chuseok.  At the top is a photo of Dahin and me from our second KBS round--love this photo of us, which is why I am posting.  While the other post labeled "Chuseok" (see the posting from September) showed the kids and friends in hanbok, this is more like 'behind-the-scenes;' aka what really happened on Chuseok besides dressing in pretty clothes.  As it is storming ice outside at the moment--complete with thunder and lightening--it's nice to think about the perfect early fall day we spent in the country the day after Chuseok (on actual Chuseok day it was rainy and cool so we spent it indoors at halmoni's house).

Every major holiday, like the New Year and Chuseok (as well as his birthday), we visit Jack's father's grave in Pocheon (about an hour outside of Seoul).  Halmoni provided us with two plants we were to leave at the family site--one for Jack's father and the other to share amongst the other family members (we placed it between a couple of graves).  Jack's father passed away when Jack was just finishing highschool, so I've never met him and the kids have never met him.  They know about their hareobeoji from photos and stories, though.  Above, Oliver carries one of the plants to the grave site. Dahin had decided to stay at her grandmother's house and she and her cousin Haenni went to see a movie.

Have I mentioned it is impossible to get a decent photo of Ronan lately?  Well, the above is about as good as it gets.  He spent the rest of the time dodging the camera, so this was it for the grave visit.  Below, Oliver and I at hareobeoji's grave which is to our left (on the photo's right).

A bonus of visiting Jack's father is that we get to go to the country.  Always, a part of the visit is a trip to the local hotsprings for a dip in the great water.  Jack and Ronan went into the men's bath and I took Oliver (with a little initial protest) into the women's side.  This is probably one of the last times I'll be able to do the bathhouse thing with Oliver since the cut off age here in Korea is 8 (or 7 American age) for little boys going with their mommies to the women's side.  At the hotsprings there, they have this huge naengtang (cold bath) that is basically like a swimming pool lined with rocks and complete with a waterfall.  Oliver had a blast racing me and practicing swimming.  After our bath and a good lunch, we headed to Sanjeong Lake. Here is a bit about the lake from the Korea tourism site:

"Sanjeong Lake is located in Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. To the far end of the lake is Mt.Myeongseongsan which casts the shadows of its high peaks on the lake. The beauty of the region is enhanced by two nearby waterfalls, the Deungryong and Biseon Waterfalls, and Jainsa Temple. Taking a walk along the lake's promenade is an opportunity not to be missed. There are a variety of other facilities such as the boating area, bungalows, and playgrounds. Designated as a national tourist site in March, 1922, Sanjeong Lake welcomes more than 700,000 visitors a year."

I remembered going there with Mama on her visit to Korea, but it has changed A LOT.  Mama, do you remember how quiet and peaceful it was?  Now, the atmosphere is like a carnival, typical of most Korean tourist sites.  Loud music blasting, carnival rides, lots of junkfood, etc.  The  paddle boats were there years ago, but that is about the only thing that has remained almost the same (the boats have greatly expanded in number and selection--with motorized boats being an option for those who want to spent a bit more on their lake experience).  We couldn't resist renting a paddle boat and the kids were really excited.  But these paddle boats are no joke.  Talk about work.  Luckily, Ronan was super into paddling.  I helped him out, but he did a lot of the work while Jack steered.

Our captain gets his energy out while paddling the boat.  He loved it, but we had to draw the line on steering alone after a few near collisions (lots of people out on the lake).

After our visit to Sanjeong Lake, we headed to the Idong Waterfall Beef Barbecue restaurant.   Thanks to Jack's research--he does all the research and planning for our road trips and does a fantastic job--our itinerary was just right, not rushed, and smooth-going.  He found this place online and I would really like to visit again the next time we are out in the area.  The website is here, and I totally recommend it for those taking a day away from Seoul to explore the Gyeonggi region countryside: http://www.pokpokalbi.com/   Literally, there was this huge waterfall across the street from the restaurant.  The restaurant is also built on a raised foundation and sits right over a rushing river.  It was fun to eat beef barbecue (at a great price, I might add) and both listen to the rushing waters and watch the waterfall.

After the meal, we enjoyed some coffee and tea on the terrace while the boys watched the waterfall.  A  must for Chuseok is viewing the full moon, which is called 보름달/'boreum dal' . Traditionally, the sun’s presence was considered routine, but the full moon that came once a month, brightening the dark night, was considered a special and meaningful event. Therefore, festivities took place on the day of the largest full moon, August 15th of the lunar calendar, which is Chuseok.  The date for Chuseok changes every year because we now follow the solar calendar.  When you look up at the full moon on Chuseok, you make a wish for something you need or want (like good grades, serenity, success).   This shot is from the day after Chuseok, but on Chuseok day, despite the rain, there was a brilliant orange-colored moon in the sky. Oliver, who wished out loud, wished for a puppy.  Guess who got his wish.