Ed said to me a few days ago in
Tongdosa,
You know, I could go home tomorrow happy. It's true, we've been here less than a week and have had amazing experiences. (Of course, no one is quite ready to come home yet.)
After arriving, we spent the night in Ulsan before moving to Tongdosa on April 5th for a temple stay. We were provided with "monk gear," brown pants and sleeve-less button up tops. During our stay, we spent time with two monks, participating in meals, a tea ceremony, chanting, tours of the grounds, and learning about Buddhist philosophy.
On April 6th, the Yangsan Rotarians took the group out of the temple to see the Yangsan market and enjoy a traditional Korean lunch. We went to Busan for the afternoon. We visited the Yangsan market, APEC Center, the Westin Chosun, and enjoyed a dinner with beautiful views of the ocean. We returned to Tongdosa for the night.
Before leaving Tongdosa, the group hiked into the surrounding mountains, led by our wonderful guide. After checking out, we said goodbye to our friends from Yangsan and were taken to Gimhae.
Gimhae has been fun--it's a vibrant city, full of activity. We visited the tomb of King Suro and several museums. We especially enjoyed the Gimhae Clayarche Museum--a museum dedicated to pottery, ceramics, and clay. We stayed in a traditional
Korean House, which was very cool.
It's late. More to come. We'll get some pictures linked over from flickr, too.
*Added by Michelle*
Yangsan Club schedule:
APRIL 5
9-11 a.m. - Travel to Yangsan area, welcome and greeting
11-11:30 a.m. - Arrive at Tongdosa Hotel and check in
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. - Travel to Tongdo temple
12-1 p.m. - Lunch at temple
1-2 p.m. - Tour Seongbo museum and Tongdo temple
2-3:30 p.m. - Experience the tea ceremony
3:30-5 p.m. - Learn and sit in Zen meditation
5-6:20 p.m. - Dinner at main temple-stay hall
6:20-7:30 p.m. - Evening worship to Buddha at the sermon hall
7:30-8 p.m. - Return to Tongdosa Hotel
8 p.m. - Relax and rest
APRIL 6
3-3:20 a.m. - Wake up and get ready
3:20-3:50 a.m. - Return to Tongdo temple
3:50-4:30 a.m. - Daybreak worship to Buddha at the sermon hall
4:30-6:20 a.m. - Worship and meditation at the sermon hall
6:20-7 a.m. - Breakfast at temple
7-7:30 a.m. - Return to Tongdosa Hotel
7:30-10 a.m. - Relax
10-10:30 a.m. - Travel to Yangsan traditional market
10:30-11:30 a.m. - Tour Yangsan traditional market
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Lunch Korean style meal (pulgogi)
12:30-1 p.m. - Travel to Haeundae area
1-5 p.m. - Tour Diamond Bridge, Haeundae beach, APEC House
5-6 p.m. - Dinner
6-7 - Return to Tongdosa Hotel
7 p.m - Relax and rest
APRIL 7
5:20-5:50 a.m. - Wake up and get ready
5:50-6:20 a.m. - Return to Tongdo temple
6:20-7 a.m. - Breakfast at temple
7-9 a.m. - Small temples pilgrimage
9-9:30 a.m. - Return to Tongdosa Hotel
9:30-10 a.m. - Check out
10 a.m. - Say goodbye and move on to Gimhae area
Gimhae Club schedule:
APRIL 7
10-11 a.m. - Travel to Gimhae area, check in at traditional house
11 a.m.-12 p.m. - Tour cultural museum
12-1:30 p.m. - Lunch [duck]
1:30-2 p.m. - Move on to next activity
2-3:30 p.m. - Tour National Gimhae Museum
3:30-5 p.m. - Tour Daesung Dongobun Museum
5-6 p.m. - Tour King Suro Tomb
6-6:20 p.m. Travel to Rotary clubhouse
6:20-8:30 p.m. - Meeting, presentation, and dinner
8:30 p.m. - Rest
APRIL 8
8-10 a.m. - Breakfast (traditional) and check out
10-10:30 - Move on to next activity
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. - Visit [Former] President No's birthplace
12-1:30 p.m. - Lunch (jin young kalbi)
1:30-2 p.m. - Move on to next activity
2-3 p.m. - Junam Resevoir tour
3-3:30 p.m. - Move on to next activity
3:30-4:30 p.m. - Gimhae architecture museum tour
4:30-5 p.m. - Move on to next activity
5-8:30 p.m. - Dinner, move to homestay
APRIL 9
8-10 a.m. - Breakfast and departure for Changwon
