Gongju Flowers

Jiwon,

I like flowers in the ground, better than the ones in the flowerpot for sale, or the ones fractured and arranged artificially in beautiful vases. The art village school where I'm staying now has many kinds of flowers around. The growth of their own attitudes are so overwhelming, even the dead ones stand still elegantly.


I don't have much knowledge of flower names or their messages. I believe I would be more joyful if I know about each kind well, as if I am delighted by knowing you from how you deal with all those little daily trifles.


When I did the bow down to the ground in the temple, I should open my hands and palms up to the sky. One of the sayings to this gesture is presenting lotus flowers for lifting Buddha. In this way, I already have flowers in hands without asking from others.

Maybe, this is part of the awareness of Seon in life.
("Seon" is Zen in Koren).

Young Pyung Sa 永平寺

Jiwon,

I spent in a Korean templestay for 3 days 2 nights. The name of the temple is Young Pyung Sa. We took about one and half hour there but still in Gongju province. I were a bit surprised my sense of distence. Maybe it is because I stayed in Macau for quite a long time. I felt every place I want to go should be reached in about 15 to 30 minutes. If I go back to Taiwan Taipei, I would assume the approximated time to reach one place is about 30 minutes to 1 hours. Now I am finding out the avarege time cost in Korea, for now I would say about 2 hours to go one place from wherever you are then.


Today is my nephew's birthday. Although I couldn't bring him any gift back right away, I sent my pictures taken in the temple to show my wishes instead, hoping his life is happy and colorful as the blooming flowers in the mountains.

The same blessings to you as well.

P.S. What's your religeon? I don't have any; however, the short visiting reminds me some valuable thoughts I knew but leave them behind for a long time. If you are interested in it, check the website: www.templestay.com

The message for this flower is "Mother's Love"

Masked People

Hi Jiwon,

Haven't heard from you for some time, are you busy taking care of your kids? When will you bring them back to Korea?

I found out Korean really put a lot of efforts to remain their traditions. The city I am staying now is Gongju (公州). On the date of my arrival, there was a closing ceremoney of Great Baekje World Festival. My mates and I visited around and discovered a huge world mask collection in the exhibition mall. I believe the one I saw here may not be the biggest; however, I was impressive of the look in each of them. Some are really weird, I should say......

The first time I had a little knowledge of Korean masks was in Andong (安東)2006. I backpacked alone and found Hahoe village (河回村). It's truely beautiful and I spent hours to walk around. If I could schedule some days to visit again, I would like to sleep overnight and feel the sounds from the nature.

Simply I want to let you know how I started loving Korea and would like to know more this time. I wondered whether you have been to the places I went. Since you are in faraway England, I hope the writing to you wouldn't raise your sigh for homeland then.

I photoed many masks in the exhibition. Guess which is the one from Korea? I will tell you the answer later.

Incheon Grand Bridge

Jiwon,

I am so bewitched by the Incheon Grand Bridge. This is perhaps the longest one I've ever seen in my life till now. Have you ever passed by this bridge? Since you go home once or twice in a year. I am sure you would have chances to see the beauty of it. I took many pictures on it, then I found out those lines are very much like a music score to me. In the car, my friend was listening Jazz music "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck, perfectly matched with my feelings along the way. Hope you feel what I felt by listening his freestyle.

Flying to Your Homeland

Jiwon,

Yesterday I took an early flight to Korea. I was so excited to stepped on your homeland again though it's not the very first time. I guess it's because we have been building a stronger relationship in a far more distance, since the night we met at Seoul Fringe Club in 2006(I assumed this is the year we met, sorry about my poor memory...)

I should write you more later about how I reached your country this time. For now, I simply sent you the colorful gleamings I saw in the flight, as if which is wearing a splendid costume while flying into Korea sky.