So, for the final weekend of my vacation I booked a Temple Stay trip at a temple on an island nearish to where I live. One of my coworkers was supposed to go as well, but wasn't feeling well so I ended up going alone. This was a pretty big deal, as those of you who know me well enough to know that I'm too scared to order pizza on my own might realize. So, after a bit of nervousness /confusion, caused mostly by my refusal to go up to a stranger and ask if they spoke English, I managed to get on the bus heading to Ganghwado. Once I got there, I realized I had no idea what I had to do and that I was going to have to be brave enough to go up to the taxi stand and ask if they could take me where I needed to go. I mean since it was a taxi, of course they could and I arrived at the temple in one piece. Once I got there and was walking around looking lost and wearing normal clothes, a man beckoned for me to follow him to the office where a nice girl who spoke English told me what I needed to do and got me the proper temple attire etc.
She led me to the room I was going to be sharing with a Vietnamese girl for the night:
After I got dressed I explored the building a bit before orientation started. There was a lot of tea to be drunk.
The thing to the right is a wooden bell that is rung for dinner and prayers etc.
Everything smelled like nag champa.
There were many teacups at the outdoor tea house.
The Budddha Hall where you go to bow to Buddha and chant.
Lanterns in the tea hut.
Me in the tea hut.
Buddha Hall at maybe 5:00 AM, after the morning chanting.
Calligraphy class.
Buddha Hall after my 108 prostrations and a delicious lunch.
Rice fields are really green.
Nature!
On the way back to Seoul. These are the ruins from when the Korean government fled the Mongolians and set up their government on Ganghwado.
All in all a solid experience and a very relaxing way to end my summer break!
All in all a solid experience and a very relaxing way to end my summer break!
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