Say...what?

I've finally arrived in Korea!  I got to the temple around midnight last night, but more on that in a moment.

First, I must say I had a great time during Shakya's visit to the Midwest.  He said one of his favorite things was horseback riding, and I must agree.  We also spent a total of 3 nights in Chicago, seeing things like the Field Museum and the Baha'i temple in Evanston.  We also got together with Jesse and his wife Khoa in Peoria, a little more than half and hour from my hometown.  Jesse is a classmate from UWest who also happens to be from the Midwest like me.  I miss my friends, but am so caught up in getting settled right now I don't have time to reflect very much.

When I arrived at the airport, I had the easiest time ever getting from the plan to the parking lot.  I've had more difficulty re-entering the U.S. than I did getting to Korea!  One funny thing that happened is that when I picked up my luggage in Seoul a woman from some military or government agency that meets U.S. service members arriving in Korea approached me to ask if I was in the military.  Given that I was wearing my monastic robes (which includes a skirt for those of you who don't know), I had to chuckle at the question. 

Four people came to meet me--Nayeon and her younger sister Jaeyeon (both Canadian citizens visiting Korea for the summer and staying at the same temple as me) and two other Korean lay women.  They had a piece of paper with my name on it, but then I do stand out in a crowd so they saw me right away.  They took me for a quick bite near the temple in the suburb of Seoul called Ilsan--some kimchi and a bit of grilled fish, then it was straight to the temple.  Speaking of food, I've had three meals here at the temple so far.  I was hoping to loose a bit of weight (like 25 pounds) but I'm not sure that's going to happen.  ;)

Having learned to read the Korean alphabet, called hangeul, before arriving has been very helpful.  The bit of Korean I learned last fall has already come in handy, too. I've been here less than 24 hours and I'm already learning new words.  The muscles of my face, however, are getting quite a workout with all the screwed up, confused looks I inevitably give people.  I'm surpirsed I can't remember how to say, "I don't understand."

I'll post pictures when I can see straight.

Comments

[Christian]

Welcome!

I am in France currently and when I read that you came to Ilsan, which is the district of the city of Goyang where I precisely live, I felt a bit disappointed.

If you come to Seoul or Ilsan again, please let me know. You can stay home.

[Rinchen Gyatso]

Christian,

I'll be in Ilsan for a while, maybe as long as a year. When do you come back? Email me directly.

[Michael Tran]

Hi Gyatso!
Glad you made it there safely--have fun over there!

[Marcus]

:)

Welcome to Korea!

Kwan Seum Bosal!

Marcus