All I Want For Christmas Is A Sapsaree!

The Jindo dog is not the only native dog which Korea can lay claim to, according to a recent news article. There's also the Sapsaree which was even designated as Natural Treasure No. 368 in 1992. It hasn't received official recognition by international canine clubs, though as controversy surrounds its pedigree.

Anyway, here are some reasons why I'd want a Sapsaree for this Christmas:

1. See the pics above and below. Now how can one resist such cute faces, whether they're puppies or mature doggies?

2. Looks aside, they're known for their loyalty. According to one source, "A 300-year-old stone memorial in southeastern South Korea tells the story of an aristocrat who took a nap on a riverbank after too many drinks at a party. Embers from his pipe started a brush fire as he slept. His faithful Sapsaree jumped into the river and used its wet fur to douse the fire and save its master at the cost of its own life.This loyalty, combined with the animal's gentle and quiet temperament, have made Sapsaree dogs ideal as therapy animals. They have been used for this in hospitals since 1999."

3. Unlike the Japanese who only appreciated its fur for winter coats ( which explains how the breed was driven to near extinction! ), the Shilla nobility enjoyed rearing these dogs which could have even been used as military dogs.  

4. Traditional belief held that this dog was able to help its owner ward off evil - the name, Sapsaree means exactly just that.

Check out the link here for an interesting story of how this specie has been brought back from near extinction.

So, Santa - are you reading this?

sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AG0R920101117

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapsali
http://www.worldlydogs.com/sapsaree.php
http://eyesage.blogspot.com/2009/06/sapsaree-koreas-natural-monument-no-368.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19801902

Tea Ceremony for Visitors During G20 Summit

Here's a  totally trivial question: Why can't David Cameron sit cross-legged?

 Judging from the second photo, it looks like the current Prime Minister of the UK hasn't quite mastered the art of sitting cross-legged for the Korean tea ceremony. The two female tourists featured below seem more comfortable than he does.

Count yourself lucky, Mr Cameron - at least you didn't have to sit, seiza-style,  throughout a more formal Japanese tea ceremony - the traditional posture in which you sit " kneeling on the floor, folding your legs underneath your  thighs, while resting the buttocks on your heels."

Caption from Chosun Ilbo: Tourists take part in a tea ceremony event marking

the G20 Summit in Seoul on Friday. /Newsis

Caption from the Guardian: David Cameron drinks tea with monks at the Bongeunsa temple in Seoul

(Photograph: Darren Staples/PA)

sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/13/2010111300288.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/nov/11/g20-summit-seoul-south-korea
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/nov/11/g20-summit-seoul-south-korea#/?picture=368621728&index=20
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiza

Night Photography Enthusiasts, Hurry Down To Gyeongbokgung!

Those in Seoul who enjoy night photography, you have a narrow window of opportunity to snap National Treasure No 224, that is: Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung in all its moonlit splendour. Actually according to the JoongAng Daily, it's the "first time in its 615-year history" that it will be lit up and it's also a rare opportunity to enjoy a late evening stroll on palace grounds.

The Cultural Heritage of Administration of Korea is extending opening hours for  the palace for a short period to allow the participants and visitors for the G20 Summit to appreciate the elegance of traditional Korean architecture.

In fact, much of Seoul has been lit up as never before to showcase the landmarks of the city. So if you're into taking photos of the urban landscape at night. this is the best time to do so.

Another piece of good news is that the Seoul Lantern Festival down at Cheonggyecheon has also been extended. Check out the traditional lanterns which come from 24 countries. Light up happens daily from 5 pm to 11 pm until November the 21st.


source:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2928273

A Beautiful Peacock Fan

Beautiful fan - a subtle tribute to the peacock

For more on Korean fans, click here. 

source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/event/g20_2010/photo.htm

Never Mind Pepero Day - Happy Farmers' Day on Nov 11!

Forget about fretting if you haven't received any pepero sticks from your beloved etc. this year. Spare a thought instead for the farmers who put the bap in your bowl, the kimchi in your side-dish and the vegetables in your bibimbap. November 11 is also Farmers' Day in Korea; or it has been so long before the day was hijacked and transformed into Pepero Day by savvy marketeers for manufacturers of choco-dipped pretzels .

Some Korean farmers are also doing good beyond their borders. A group here are sharing rice-planting techniques with farmers in Kenya.

Rice exports from Korea may not be available yet in the local supermarkets but we can already buy Korean-grown strawberries, mushrooms and seaweed in addition to tubs of gochujang and doenjang. Asian appetites for Korean agricultural products is on the rise as we learn to cook our own kimchi chigae and japchae but what's less clear is how the dwindling number of farmers can meet the growing demand for Korean food products outside its country.

But if you insist on learning more about Pepero Day, click here.

sources:

http://www.demotix.com/news/200238/korea-steps-boost-kenyan-food-security

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/12/123_33193.html

http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=66731&code=Ne6&category=7

Good News And Bad For Seoul Sweepers

First the good news for Seoul sweepers - you can take a break and not bother about raking the leaves on 74 streets in Seoul. According to the Korea Times, the Seoul City council has decreed that you must leave the leaves alone for the viewing pleasure of tourists and avid photographers and the tactile delight of curious children who love to romp among and scatter the piles of autumn leaves.

And now the bad news: you can start sweeping them up again by mid-November. Goodness knows if you'll be knee-deep in gingko or maple leaves by then. Let's also hope there won't be rain for the next two weeks as it's no fun sweeping soggy, rotting leaves.

Check out: One Man's Photo Opportunity is Another's Dreaded Labour

sources:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/11/203_75753.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/11/153_75775.html

End of Autumn and Start of Early Winter?

Here are two heart-warming pics of people enjoying the outdoors on Sunday the 7th of October.

At the Ulsan Park

Visually-impaired walkers with their volunteer guides at Dobongsan, north Seoul.

(Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han)

Then, Mother Nature flips the switch and this is what Koreans got on Monday morning. I just hope tourists in Korea at present packed some thicker woollies.

Read on the KBS World website:

"First Snow Falls in Seoul, Cold Weather to Continue until Wednesday.

The first snow of the season fell in Seoul and the Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces late Monday and early Tuesday. Seoul’s first snow came around two weeks faster than in previous years. Temperatures have plunged below zero in most inland areas and coastal regions are seeing strong winds.

The mercury is expected to drop further on Wednesday. Morning lows are projected to stand at minus seven degrees Celsius at Daegwallyeong in Gangwon and minus one in Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration is forecasting that temperatures will rise starting Wednesday afternoon."

source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=77012
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/08/2010110800326.html

Mock G20 Summit In One Elementary School.

A praiseworthy effort by the students and staff of this elementary school but just one question - Was this mock summit conducted in Korean or English? Would be a great opportunity to drive home the point that English is the international language and these future leaders or captains of industry should be encouraged as much as possible during events such as this to practise speaking in English.

Caption from KBS: A mock G20 summit was held in Cheonil Elementary School in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. Children dressed up in traditional attires of different countries as part of the event.

(Yonhap News)

Reading from a script or impromptu speaking?

Source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=15581

Information Booths For Fall Foliage

Don't where to find the autumn leaves in Korea? Never fear - some temporary info booths have been set up to guide visitors to the most beautiful instances of fall foliage in at least one national park. ( see below). It's not clear, though, if any or how much information will be available to English-speaking tourists.

I really don't know if there's such a need for these booths. Why can't the info ( if there's anything new in the first place) be made available in the current Tourist Information offices or the National Parks offices and even better still, the websites? The staff in such places didn't seem terribly overwhelmed with visitors even when I visited them during the peak periods. It would save Korean taxpayers a lot of money if the KNTO and NPA pooled resources to answer these basic questions which most tourists want to know:via already established channels:

1. How reliable is the fall foliage schedule issued by the KMA?
2. How will the daily changes in the weather affect the colours of the autumn leaves?
3. Which spots in the various national parks are particularly well-known for maple colours, for gingko colours or for a mixture of reds, golds, browns and greens?

Taken from the KNTO Website:
"A temporary ‘Foliage Information Center’ has opened near the entrance of Naejangsan National Park (and a few other locations around Jeongeup City) to assist seasonal visitors who’ve come to see the fall leaves. The autumn changing of the leaves is a much celebrated seasonal event in Korea and with the leaves of Naejangsan expected to reach their peak around the first weekend of November, preparations are in full swing.


In an effort to provide visitors with information on when and where to enjoy the brilliant colors, Jeongeup Municipal Office will be operating three fall information centers until November 15th. Visitors to the information centers can receive information about major tourist attractions and local delicacies (etc.) in addition to information on the leaves themselves.

‘Foliage Information Centers’ are located in the Sculpture Park near the Naejangsan entrance, near the Naejang IC, and near the Jeongeup IC of Honam Expressway. Each center operates daily from 9:00 to 18:00.

*Depending on the number of visitors and fall foliage conditions, centers may close as early as Nov 10th.


source: http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1123148

Old and New On Display For G20 Summit

Caption from Chosun Ilbo: A creation made of LED displays modelled on the Cheomseongdae, a royal observatory of Silla Kingdom, at COEX, the venue of the G20 Seoul Summit.

A great example of how cutting-edge technology embraces tradition - here's the Cheomseongdae, a staple of Gyeongju's tourist attractions remade with LED screens. Participants who are unfamiliar with the pride of the Shilla Dynasty may be a bit puzzled by the structure which stands at the COEX but anyone who's paid attention to their ten-won note should appreciate the effort.

For more on Cheomseongdae, click here.

Was less enamoured with this hanbok inspired by the G20 Summit - not quibbling about the colours but the Disney-like design of the chima (skirt)  which doesn't quite have the usual understated elegance of the traditional garb of Korea.

source:s

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/05/2010110500847.html
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/event/g20_2010/photo.htm

What's On The Itinerary For G20 Guests?

Given the very short stay that the privileged G20 guests will have in Seoul, it's interesting to note the places on their itinerary. What has Seoul chosen to showcase to its international guests? Granted security considerations may have meant that the obvious tourist attractions may have been ruled out but there were also some ;ess obvious choices which I didn't even know existed.

1. Visitors to the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, central Seoul, don't be surprised that museum officials look particularly tense this week and the next as the venue will be used to hold the welcome reception for the G20 participants next Thursday. I managed to squeeze a brief half hour to visit this place in my last tour of Korea and realised my folly. To do justice to the place you need at least one full day ( or two).

The impressive frontage of the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan

The JoongAng Daily reports: "According to the committee, the museum was chosen as the venue for the welcome reception and dinner to allow the leaders to enjoy Korea’s history and cultural assets during their tightly scheduled two-day trip. The committee said 11 cultural relics will be selected and showcased, and information about each will be provided in eight different languages....The welcome reception will start at 6 p.m. and last an hour, with the event being broadcast live by major media outlets...The leaders will join a working dinner at a special hall inside the museum to begin their discussion."

If you have time to spare, you can revisit the museum grounds in the evenings

for some promising night photography practice

Alas - didn't have time to check what lay beyond those steps

which straddled the two wings of the museum

2. A special dinner for the spouses of the visiting leaders will be hosted by the First Lady, Kim Yoon-ok on Thursday evening at the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art. ( The museum will be closed to the public on the 10th and 11th of November.)

G20 visitors may be greeted by these whimsical creatures

outside the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Here's a snippet from its website:


"Since its establishment in 1965, the Samsung Foundation of Culture has committed itself to the preservation and exhibition of Korean cultural heritage. Beginning with Korean artifacts collected by the late Samsung Chairman, Byung-Chull Lee (pen-name Ho-Am), the Samsung Foundation of Culture has been operating the Ho-Am Art Museum , the Ho-Am Art Gallery, and the Rodin Gallery. Following the example set by Ho-Am, Samsung Museum of Art, has dedicated himself to both the preservation of Korean art history and the exhibition of modern and contemporary works by Korean and foreign artists. ....The name for Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, is the combination of the family name of its founder, 'Lee,' and the abbreviated word for museum, ‘um.’



3. The following day, they will tour the palace grounds and gardens of Changdeokgung and visit  the Korea Furniture Museum.  "This museum completed an ambitious twelve-year building project to become the most comprehensive private museum of its kind. Ten traditional homes were rebuilt from earlier dynasties to display the proper usage of furniture and interior decoration in order for the viewer to fully appreciate life in traditional Korean homes. The museum specializes in collecting, preserving and exhibiting traditional Korean wooden furniture with more than 1,500 traditional pieces."  Click here for a snapshot review of the place.

The Korea Furniture Museum offers more than glimpses of traditional chairs and tables.

Handsome hanok examples can also be admired here.

sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927988
http://leeum.samsungfoundation.org/eng/main.asp
http://www.designboom.com/snapshot/cat/25/korean_furniture_museum.html
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=28601
http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/ena/mng_view2.php?idx=10465&cPage=&pidx=6
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268217
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268137

Not Much Fun In Seoul With “Level 3” Alert.

It’s not going to be much fun for ordinary tourists planning to visit Seoul in the weeks leading up to the 11th and 12th of November. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the ROK have already declared the highest state of alert i.e. Level Three, for the country in preparation for the fifth G20 Summit. In fact, a travel alert has been issued by the US State Department for its citizens for this period.

 Heightened security measures are already in place as the capital braces itself to play protective and gracious host to 10,00 participants including 32 heads of state ( including Presidents Obama and Hu Jintao ) or of international organizations ( such as Ban Ki Moon but Bill Gates has declined an invitation to this prominent power party).






So why won’t it be fun?

1. You’d probably be stuck in longer, slower-moving queues as immigration officials scrutinize very carefully your passports and visas before they admit you into the country at the international airports, international sea terminals and even small harbours.

2. Getting out of the country will also be a tedious process as travelers have been warned to arrive three hours before departure for international flights.

3. Expect disruptions to your travel plans as historically, G 20 Summits have been plagued with demonstrators clashing with anti-riot police.

4. If not, you may find yourself stuck in a bus or worse, a taxi ( with the meter ticking) behind a barricade while the VIPs whizz past in their official limousines under heavy police protection.

5. Even if you opt for the subway, you can expect them to be more crowded as Seoulites have been encouraged to leave their cars at home.

6. Forget about getting near the COEX Convention Hall, the venue for the G20 Summit. For that matter, avoid getting within a 2.2 km-radius of the COEX unless you fancy being quizzed by security personnel. Plan your route well so that you don’t get caught between a group of unruly demonstrators and water cannons.

7. As for the tourist attractions, please note that a special 3-day tour, starting on the 9th of November, has been arranged for around 2000 international reporters. Don’t be surprised if Seoul attractions seem more crowded than usual at that time. Seoul will also take the G20 participants on weeknight tours around the city so don’t hold your breath for lighter traffic in the evenings.

So, here's the best time to explore other parts of the country if you're not on the G20 guest list.
Head south for Suncheon, Gyeongju or Andong, for instance. Better still, book your airticket for Incheon after the 12th of this month.

Sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76865&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76819&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76820&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76773&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76759&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76713&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76622&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76546&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76303&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76303&id=Dm
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/02/2010110200969.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/19/2010101900348.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/28/2010102800984.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_G-20_Seoul_summit
http://hello.news352.lu/edito-69808-skorea-to-set-up-security-fences-at-g20-summit.html

Where To Enjoy Autumn Leaves in Seoul

I've been so preoccupied about the whens of the fall foliage that I've almost forgotten to consider the wheres.
Here, then is a list of places where you may enjoy the fall foliage. ( not in any order of preference):

1. Gyeongbokgung - Leaves on the palace grounds are expected to peak around early November. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration. "early to mid November will be the best time to enjoy fall foliage at the royal palaces in downtown Seoul....Leaves will begin to turn about ten days later than normal this year. It ....expects the scenery to be better than normal as a result of wide differences in daily temperatures."

 2. Changdeokgung

( Exit 3, Anguk Station, Line 3) "A UNESCO World Heritage site, this Joseon-era palace includes many serene gardens. One of Changdeokgung's gardens houses over a hundred varieties of trees. However, in order to appreciate the foliage of the Changdeokgung gardens trees, visitors must join a guided tour or pay a hefty 15,000 won for an all-day self-guided tour only available on Thursdays."

3.  Changgyeonggung

4. Deoksugung   - It is also open at night but do check out in the daytime Deoksugung Stone Wall ( Exit 3 or 12, Deoksugung Station, Line 1 or 2). Fans of the TV drama series, Lovers in Prague, may recall a romantic scene shot here.

5. Samcheongdong Road, a.k.a. Gallery Road,  which starts at the south east corner of Gyeongbokgung, is lined with gingko trees. You can also explore the beautiful grounds on Samcheonggak.

6. Namsan - I'd suggest you walk up to the top and then take the cable car down. That way, you can also enjoy the 'chak-chak' of the local magpies. (Their size was also surprising.)

7. Bugaksan - Actually I think I enjoyed the views of the Seoul suburbs from Bugaksan more than from the vantage point of Namsan Tower. Probably because it was more hard-earned as the climb up Bugaksan seemed to be harder-going. Don't take my subjective word for it.

8. Jongmyo Shrine

If your timing is right, you'll also get to witness a Confucian ritual held here in grand style.

9. Sowolgil

"Running south of Mt. Namsan for almost 4km, this ginkgo-lined boulevard (best approached via Exit 1, Myeongdong Station, Line 4) offers plentiful space for rest and quiet contemplation. Sowolgil in fall looks like a scene from a film, with bright leaves scattered artfully across the walkway. The pathway eventually connects to Namsan Park." You may want to check if the bicycle elevator that is supposed to be built on this road has been completed. What does a bicycle elevator look like?

10. Hongneung Arboretum
" Seoul's only arboretum, Hongneung Arboretum (approached via Hoegi Station, Line 1 or Exit 3, Korea University Station, Line 6) is made up of nine gardens, including an aquatic garden, a wetland garden, a coniferous tree garden, and a garden of edible and medicinal plants. The garden of broadleaf trees, located behind the main building, is stunning in fall when hundreds of trees transform into a vivid array of bold colors. A tour of the entire arboretum ─ approximately 780 square meters in area ─ takes nearly three hours and is free of charge."

sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76485&id=Dm
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/28/2010102800984.html
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1104134
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264348
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264316
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264350
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=261031
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=46128
http://www.klm.com/destinationguide/gb_en/airline-ticket/asia/east-asia/south-korea/seoul/thingstodo.htm
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264314

Who's the Real Underdog in Superstar K ?

John Park vs Hur Gak 
A Korean-American vs A homeboy
A student from a privileged school vs a TV repairman
A member of the American Idol alumni vs A high school dropout who had to support his family
According to the JoongAng Daily, "Huh’s win was based on a compilation of the judges’ evaluation, real-time votes through text messages and online votes prior to the broadcast. Three superstar judges - singers Lee Seung-chul, Yoon Jong-shin and Eom Jeong-hwa - participated in the event."

Who was really the underdog in the second season of  "Superstar K" on Mnet?
sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927505

What's That Tree Called In Korean?

Gamsa-hamnida, Korea Times for this timely vocabulary lesson. BTW, the spelling for "eun-haeng na-mu" should be either "ginkgo" or "gingko".


Other phrases you may wish to try out on Koreans ( no guarantee there are no problems with the Googled-translations here!)

Update: Many thanks to sogam0, a  reader from Korea who posted corrections to  the mistakes in the Google translations. The amendments are as follows.


1. 몇살이 나무는 무엇입니까? How old is this tree?
    Correction by sogam0 as follows: 이 나무는 몇살입니까?

2. 이것은 붉은 소나무인가요? Is this a red pine? ( national tree of Korea)

3. 어떤 좋아하는 나무입니까? Which is your favourite tree?
     Correction by sogam0 as follows: 당신이 좋아하는 나무는 어느것입니까?

4. 내가이 집에 데려다 줄까? Can I take this home?
    Correction by sogam0 as follows: 내가 이것을 집에 가져가되 될까요?

5. 단지 사진을 찍어;  떠날은 발자국   Take only photos; leave only footprints.
    Correction by sogam0 as follows: 사진촬영과 산책만 허용됩니다.
                                                            (Only photos & walks are allowed.)






sources:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/10/273_75293.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/10/273_75370.html

Surreal Season

Nature has its own sense of humour - "How about a two-in-one? ", it seems to be saying. You can BOTH enjoy fall foliage while you practise your snowboarding moves on the slopes in Phoenix Park this October, thanks to plunging sub-zero temperatures earlier this week.

The ski resort in Gangwon-do  has opened for business half a month earlier than last year. It's not clear, though,  how much of the snow in the picture is artificially produced by snow machines or what percentage is Mother Nature's handiwork.

So what will the on-line papers show next? Kim Yu-na skating on a frozen lake under the maple leaves?

Expect the unexpected.

sources:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927685

An Early Winter or Extra Chilly Autumn in Jeju?

Caption from the KBS website: Hoarfrost forms on trees at Mt. Halla in Jeju Island as morning lows dip to minus 5 degrees Celsius Tuesday

The autumn foliage in Hallasan on Jeju-do was supposed to peak around the 9th of November but guess what? Winter seems to have out-paced autumn, from the looks of this photo featured in the KBS World Radio website.  

Pardon my ignorance as one who lives on the equator but can anyone out there reassure me that hoarfrost doesn't automatically spell the onset of winter? Even so, I'd like my seasons to be clearly demarcated and it's disconcerting to see autumn behave like a different season.

Click here for 2010 autumn foliage forecast.

source:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=15541

Autumn's All-Too-Brief Lease?

This is just a short record so that I have some basis for comparison for next year. My suspicion that autumn is getting shorter seems to be confirmed but let's see what next week is like.

Update: Thankfully my suspicion was ungrounded. Those in Korea enjoyed quite a long autumn in 2010.

Maples leaves have already turned red in Namsam in Seoul.

 Golden gingko leaves are starting to fall in Gangwon-do.

Is it autumn or winter in Korea already?

Temperatures plunged to sub-zero levels this week.

sources:

Chosun Ilbo and Korea Times

Stunning Autumn Colours in Chuncheon

Although the main event was the 2010 Chuncheon Marathon in Gangwon-do,  I'm cutting and pasting this photo from the Chosun Ilbo on account of the arresting backdrop to the sports event. Forget about the participants running along the bridge. Just look at the tapestry of colours on the cliff in the background. What a sight. Wonder if any of the runners were distracted enough by the beauty to stop and stare?

Just wishing I was there.

From On the Nine Beautiful Sights in a Mountain  by Yi Yi


The seventh is maples and rocks where autumn's reflected
They are clad with silken cloth of thin clear frost.
Sitting on a cold crag I forget where my house is.


칠곡은 어디메고 풍암楓巖에 추색이 좋다
청상淸霜이 엷게 치니 절벽이 금수이로다
한암寒巖에 혼자 앉아서 집을 잊고 있노라


sources:http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/25/2010102500358.html

http://image.chosun.com/special/inside/flash/100920/100920_autumn_eng.html

http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/~kyoon/sijo.htm

A Study of Two Portraits

First learnt about this portrait from the TV drama series, Painter of the Wind, starring Moon Geum-yong and Park Shin-yang. In the fictionalised account of Joseon dynasty painters, Shin Yun-bok is an apprentice to  Kim Hong-do who teaches the former a thing or two about portrait painting in one of my favourite scenes.
It's fascinating to study the contrasts between the original and the modern versions. English teachers may want to set this as an exercise on describing differences. ( Partially jesting.)

Caption from the JoongAng Daily:

"This self-portrait of the Joseon painter and scholar Yun Du-seo (1668-1715), left, known as one of the masterpieces of Korean art, is now being exhibited at the Yun Seon-do Museum, which opened in Haenam, South Jeolla, last Friday. Du-seo was the great grandson of Seon-do, one of the most important writers of the Joseon period. Coincidentally, contemporary artist Kang Hyung-koo, known for his fresh interpretations of portraits of historic figures based on existing paintings or photos, is showing his version of the Yun Du-seo self-portrait, right, as part of his solo exhibition, which runs to Dec. 12 at the Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art in Gyeonggi."


To watch the drama series on-line, click here.
To listen to the music from the OST, click here.
sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927422

Fishing For Apples In Cheonggyecheon

Here's a novel way to harvest apples - try fishing for them on the Cheonggyecheon!

Apples, courtesy of Chungju, are celebrated in a festival in Seoul.

Concerned parents who don't want to rish their children falling into the stream can opt for the conventional method of  plucking them.

For more on the Cheonggyecheon, click below:

A Chat With Cheonggyecheon
Cheonggyecheon - The Elongated Oasis In Downtown Seoul

sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/19/2010101900384.html
http://rki.kbs.co.kr/indonesian/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=6429

Balugongyang - Formal Dining In Korean Buddhist Temples

Have to confess that the idea of vegetarian food appeals to my head and heart more than to my tongue and stomach. It would be nice to have a clear conscience and be environmentally-friendly by abstaining from meat but I’m not ready to give up my “go-gi” ( meat) as yet.
During my visits to Korea, my stay at any temple never lasted more than two nights – partly perhaps because my faint-hearted stomach couldn’t stand a vegetarian diet for so long. Moreover, I’ve never participated in any formal templestay program so I have yet to experience “balu-gong-yang” ( the traditional dining etiquette in Korean Buddhist temples). However, from what has been gathered from the web, I should start adopting some of the practices for a more healthy lifestyle.

The term according to meaning “Four Bowls Containing Food” OR ‘Balugongyang’ means people gathering together and eating a proper amount of food served in one bowl. “Gongyang” refers to the “serving of food to monastics but can also be used when presenting them with clothing or other materials useful for their monastic life.” One source declares the word ‘bal-woo’ means a bowl while another source maintains it literally means “the four bowls containing food”, a reference to the Four Heavenly Guardian Kings who offered meals in stone bowls to Sakyamuni. Whatever the number, “Balugongyang” now refers to the formal meal in Korean Buddhist temples particularly for the Jogye Order.

Aside from the four matching bowls ( for rice, soup, side dishes and water) spoon and pair of chopsticks, here are the other things used during “balu-gong-yang”:

a. Bal-geon- the covering towel: it covers the bowls and is also a kind of dish towel.
b. Mu-reup-su-geon- the knee towel: it protects your clothes from stains when you eat and is also a kind of napkin.
c. Si-jeo-dae- the pocket: it contains the spoon and chopsticks.
d. Bal-u-tu-geong- the cap: it is the lid of the biggest bowl.
e. Bal-u-dan- the cloth mat: at the beginning of each meal, you put bowls on top of it.
f.  Bal-u-bo- the covering cloth: it wraps the bowl containing other small bowls.

There’s a sequence of actions but I won’t go into that. Suffice to say that at the end of the meal, you wash all the utensils, wipe them clean and tie them together in the cloths before returning them to the cupboard.

The following are some of the principles and practices of “balu-gong-yang” are:
1. Frugality – “ out of respect for the gifts of nature”; take only what you need within the allotted time for meals so “not even a grain of rice or scrap of kimchi should remain in the bowls”

My comment – Clearly a very environmentally-friendly and healthy practice to curb wastage and pigging out. Trouble is, how do they determine the portions when one person may be bigger and used to larger portions while another monk may eat like a bird? Or are all portions standardized in the name of communality and fairness of allocation with no regard for individual appetites?

2. Communal dining – chant together to focus on the notion of living in harmony but no chatting; wait for others before and after eating.

My question – are the non-Korean participants given translations so that they know what they are chanting?

3. Meditative – eating in silence as you sit in the lotus position; no slurping etc. Treat the meal as a daily opportunity for “expanding and deepening our awareness” of the energy or gifts of nature that we take into ourselves for instance. At the very least, while eating, we should consider the effort of the farmers, the financial contributions of those who sponsored the meal and the skills of those in the kitchens.

A reminder to myself – It’s not about counting calories but one’s blessings!


Check out this blogger's templestay!

Want to make a reservation?

Sources:http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926079
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2922529
http://eng.gg.go.kr/1290
http://www.koreataste.org/lang/en/en/columns-en/test-temple-food-full-of-natures-goodness
http://theothersideofthemoon2009.blogspot.com/2010/08/guinsa-temple-stay.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/08/293_72067.html
http://www.korea-fans.com/forum/showthread.php?mode=linear&tid=39945&pid=1244933
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/170660.html
http://aaaalexsadventuresinasia.blogspot.com/2010/04/beomosa-temple-stay-in-which-i-act-like.html
http://eng.templestay.com/Reservation/find_templestay.asp?cid=23
http://eng.buddhapia.com/_Service/BUDDHAPIA/0000000871/

Vertical Marathon of Sorts At 63 Building?

Guess these people have every reason to look self-congratulatory. I would, too, if I had also walked up the entire staircase to reach the top of the 249 meter or  817- feet  high 63 Building ( 63 빌딩 or 육삼 빌딩). In addition to the great views of Yeouido island and  the Han River in Seoul, they also could claim the privilege of being in an exclusive group of sportspersons who have taken part in a vertical marathon.

Interestingly another vertical marathon is also organised for Singaporeans who can also run up the full 63 floors of the One Raffles Place Building.  Congratulations to all those who made it to the top - ajumma salutes you!

Caption from Chosun Ilbo: Participants in a stair walk pose after reaching the 63rd floor

of the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul on Sunday. /Newsis

sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/18/2010101800337.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63_Building
http://www.alck.org/blog/?p=2014