Simple Things

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that make it the most pleasant.  But they are also the things that are most overlooked.

I'm trying to practice taking time out of my day to:

Don't let life slip by without your enjoying it's simple pleasures...

Seoul Korea!

I realize that I love experiencing different cultures!

Me with some girls in the traditional Korean costume

  Whatever part of the culture it is.  On the tour, we went to the palace of a king from a dynasty of long ago.  I learned different things about the Korean history.  And I got to talk with one of the Korean ladies on the tour and I learned a ton more.  She says that Korea has a very vibrant economy right now, but doesn't have much for natural resources (much like Japan, which was a factor that played into the WWII). They put a huge focus on education, but not creativity.  So she says that they don't have many "Steve Jobs", as she put it.  And yet they're super smart, but not allowed to use those smarts appropriately.  She's disappointed that Korea is only known for the Korean War and that's about it.  I could understand that.

  Anyway, the funnest part of the tour for me, was to eat at a local restaurant.  I ordered something called Bi Bim Bap.  It was a red rice topped with an assortment of vegetables.  It was delicious except for the fact that they put a blob of runny egg on the top.  I tried to gingerly pick the egg off with my spoon, but was horrified when the whole thing burst upon my touch and started to run onto all my delicious vegetables!  I've never been a connoisseur of eggs and actually pretty much despise them unless they're fried really well.  Thankfully, because I choose to be vegan and I'm actually allergic to eggs, I don't ever have to search hard for an excuse not to eat them... except when they've exploded onto your whole lunch.  Yuck!  I picked around the egg as much as possible, but was still disgusted when I would get a slight taste of it.  Oh well.  Otherwise, the meal was wonderful!  I got to try kimchi, which was yummy except that it was a tad too spicy for my taste.  And, hey!  I've gotten pretty good at eating with chopsticks now!  I'm pretty proud of myself! :)

  I sat with two gentlemen who turned out to be so very nice!  King is Thai and so we talked a lot about Thailand and it's culture and what not.  And Bob is from New York, a single man who loves to travel and has been vegan for over 15 years!  He loved talking about eating vegan/vegetarian and I found that we hit it off really well.  He mentioned that he does green drinks whenever possible and I couldn't contain myself!  When I told him we did green drinks, he laughed long and hard.  He couldn't believe it!  It was a fun conversation, to say the least!  And now, King is considering trying the vegetarian thing!  How neat!

  Anyway, both guys stuck with me as we explored the walking souvenir street, which was a relief to me.  There wasn't much new that I hadn't seen from Thailand or India.  Seems like these Asian countries have a similar taste in... pretty much everything.  But I bought a scarf (I love scarves!) and some postcards.  I had to get something from Korea.

  We also visited a Buddhist temple.  I didn't have the guts to walk inside in the middle of their worship service.  It reminded me a lot of Catholicism... the candles, the huge statues (of Buddha), the prayer beads.  It all seemed vaguely familiar, yet foreign at the same time.  Pillows were placed on the floor and several ladies were doing some sort of prayer that involved them kneeling with their face to the floor then standing up, then kneeling, then standing... a workout in and of itself.  Who needs a gym when your Buddhist?

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  But, I was saddened to see these dear people so steeped in their religion of works.  Near the temple was a tall structure that was some sort of prayer thing too.  Several people were seen walking around it. According to Dam Bi, our tour guide, the people walk around it so many times to ask their petition.  They pause at different places to bow with hands together, praying.  Then they continue on their journey around the structure... for who knows how long.  And then, they walk away fully believing that they've been heard.  By whom?

  But I was surprised to learn that South Korea is half Christian and half% Buddhist (after learning this, I looked it up.  Here's the stats - 46% no religion, 23% Buddhist, 30% Christian.  Not too bad).  That's more Christian then a lot of other Asian countries.  Like India, which is 80% Hinduism and only 2.3% Christian.  That's a sizable difference.

Anyhow, I did enjoy my tour a lot and was thankful I took it.  I was really tired after, for I hadn't gotten hardly any sleep since Sunday night.  But it was worth it (the tour)!  What a great experience!

Falling in Love With India

Unusual birds that I haven’t ever heard before are warbling their sweet morning melodies.  A man is making some sort of clanking noise.  A woman is arguing with one of the sale’s people at the town store.  An unusually white dog is running around making friends with everyone.  A huge truck rolls by, blaring its horn to announce its arrival.  The sun’s warm rays are slowly melting the frigid morning air, making the temperature bearable and lightening the cold landscape.  Some Indian music is playing its haunting tune in someone’s home.

Welcome to Mungpoo, India. 

   Tucked in the Himalaya Mountains of northern India, up a narrow winding road, you’ll find the town of Mungpoo.  It reminds me of a village you’d find in the Swiss Alps.  Large, towering trees provide more shade then anyone desires.  Poinsettias dot the landscape.  Majestic mountains surround this tiny village, nestling the town in their shadow.  It’s a serene scene, one that demands my awe and respect.

  The only thing that keeps me from running barefoot and shouting down the dirt path to the school is the bone chilling cold.  It’s really not that cold (only about 50°F)… it’s just that you can’t escape it.  It’s like camping without a fire. Plus, it’s humid here.  That means we’re fighting a wet cold, which makes everything feel ten times colder.  Gloves, a scarf and wool socks are going to be my best friends.

  Yet, through all this cold, I feel a strange warmth emanating from the smiling faces of the students here at the school and suddenly, I don’t notice the cold anymore.  The girls stare at me.  When I look at them and smile, they turn away and giggle among themselves.  They’re probably about my age.  Most of them can’t speak English, but the ones who do try to talk to me.  It’s hard to understand their broken English covered by their strong Nepali accent.  But they do communicate.

  I’m not as tired as I thought I’d be.  I was probably asleep within the first minute I was in bed.  Cuddled up to my Nalgene bottle, I slept like a log. When I awoke, I came to the realization that there’s nothing comfortable about my bed.  It’s a mattress, maybe 2 inches thick, on top of a wooden board.  But it sure felt like a cloud when I hit it the night before.  I’ve been told there’s nothing comfortable about India.

  And I think they’re right.  Taking a bath in less than 40° weather isn’t the most pleasant.  And when you're told to end your semi-hot bath with cold water... brrr.  But hey!  At least you feel on top of the world when you step out of the bathroom/shower room.  I find it easier to end with the cold if I let out a series of hoots and hollers when I pour the freezing water on my head.  Makes the girls talking outside the door giggle and talk wildly.  

  Also worth mentioning is riding in a small car, with six other people, trying to share a seat with four of them, sitting on the edge, being jolted around for 3 or so hours.  Yet, I threw the window open and sucked in the air.  Sure it smelt of burning trash, cow dung and car exhaust.  To me, it smelt like Guatemala and Bolivia.  I reveled in it!  Who cares if I'm cramped and squished?

  I've realized, that my attitude changes everything.  I could look at all these things, the bathroom, the traveling, the cold, the bed, and every other inconvenience, and be miserable.  Yet, as I try to find beauty in my surrounding, something in me changes.  I just make tea when I'm cold.  I holler when I take a bath and end with cold water.  I just cuddle close to my hot Nalgene when my bed seems uncomfortable.  I marvel at the skill my driver has in maneuvering the roads.  And I'm not cold anymore.  I'm not tired and cramped driving.  I'm not sleeplessly tossing and turning.  I'm not miserably forcing my way through another bath.  

  And I realize... I'm learning gratitude and contentment.  What an amazing quality to gain!  Rather than gripe and groan, I can learn to enjoy being here!  I can learn to love the people!  What freedom!